2024
Medis 5 & Karolinska Institute: A Decade of Innovation
11 April, 2024
For over a decade, Medis 5 has nurtured a productive partnership with the occupational therapist program at the esteemed Karolinska Institute. Each year, students from the program enrich our space with insightful workshops spanning diverse topics. Recently, their visit saw engaging sessions in dance, visual arts, marketing, and even morning routines. In a delightful twist, Medis 5's Steffi facilitated a recycling workshop, igniting creativity as they crafted a stunning hanging mobile from reclaimed materials.
The collaboration transcended conventional boundaries, as evidenced by the immersive dance workshop conducted with fervor. This harmonious blend of academia and practical application underscores the mutual growth fostered by such alliances.
Such initiatives not only enhance the learning experience but also promote sustainability and innovation. Medis 5's commitment to fostering creativity and environmental consciousness shines brightly through such collaborative endeavors. As the partnership flourishes, both institutions continue to inspire and empower future generations of professionals.
Katarina Nord, Medis 5, Sweden
In the Heart of Autism
8 April, 2024
ALMA, in collaboration with the Onassis Foundation and Onassis Cardiac Surgery Center, launches a desensitization program for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in Greece.
This program, "IN THE HEART OF AUTISM," aims to alleviate anxiety during medical examinations, particularly in April, recognized as an autism awareness month. Special education teachers, therapists, and mental health professionals are the primary audience for this initiative. The program seeks to equip them with tools and techniques to support individuals with ASD. Through evidence-based strategies, the collaboration aims to foster comfort and reduce stress for individuals with ASD in medical settings. The partnership between ALMA and the Onassis entities brings together diverse resources and expertise. By prioritizing inclusivity and understanding in healthcare, the initiative promotes a compassionate society. It is anticipated to serve as a model for similar programs nationally and internationally.
ALMA and its partners reaffirm their commitment to fostering an empathetic society through collaborative efforts.
E-book "IN THE HEART OF AUTISM
Maria Esepaloglou, ALMA, Greece
Summer inspiration
8 April, 2024
In the warm embrace of summer, inspiration often comes from the most unexpected corners.
This is what happened in our organization, where Ervin became the only culinary enthusiast who single-handedly took responsibility for making a great cake. Despite other hesitations, the enticing aroma and irresistible charm of Erwin's creations soon brought the whole group together. As they gather, the anticipation builds, each member eager to enjoy the sweet delights.
With smiles and forks at the ready, they share this moment of friendship, united by the simple joy of good food and good company.
Christine Halas, IB, Germany
Seminar: Cerebral Palsy Meeting
12 March 2024
On December 2, we attended the Cerebral Palsy Meeting hosted by Hasan Kalyoncu University. During the seminar, we discussed topics such as post-earthquake orthopedic processes, physiotherapy approaches, orthosis and prosthesis rehabilitation, the effects of trauma and stress on speech, post-disaster special education services, and the psychological impact on children.
The following day, on December 3, in honor of World Disability Day, we visited the Special Education and Rehabilitation Service Units in Hatay with members of our Academic Board. Our team of specialized physicians and academicians in the fields of neurology, orthopedics, physiotherapy, special education, language and speech therapy, psychology, urology, and oral and dental health provided 118 consultations across 10 stations and identified the needs of the children. After the consultations, 11 children underwent surgeries.
On the same day, we also organized a special workshop titled "How Should We Support Individuals with Special Needs in Disasters and Emergency Situations?" for experts and volunteers working in the disaster area.
Gözde Arasıl, Spastic Children’s Foundation of Turkey, Turkey
"Different Sounds" delights in Sweden
7 March 2024
Under the leadership of our long-standing Polish partner "PSONI", the Southwest / Hesse Central region is currently involved in the European trilateral project "Different Sounds", in which people with disabilities musically stage their everyday stories.
At the end of February, a group from the IB traveled to Sweden for the second project meeting. The inclusive troupe had an eventful time; In addition to music rehearsals and the design of the e-book, there was still time for other cultural highlights: we visited the old town, explored the Stockholm City Museum, and sang a lot of karaoke in the ABBA Museum.
At the end of the week there were two concerts, one with our host from Sweden "Medis 5" and a public one in the impressive setting of a former cinema, where the listeners thanked us with a standing ovation for the great concert in which the electronic sounds of the Sprak Orchestra (Sweden) wonderfully merged with the drums and percussions (Poland) with the singing (Germany).
Everyone is looking forward to next June, when we as hosts will welcome the other project participants. In this context, there will be concerts in Oberursel and Bad Homburg that should not be missed.
We will continue to inform you when the details are finalized...
Christine Halas, IB, Germany
Different Sounds Orchestra SWE/POL/GER
27 February 2024
Medis 5 would like to share last week's visit from PSONI and IB within the Different Sounds project. A week full of rehearsals, spending creative time together, and working intensively with a great result.
We finished by holding two concerts presenting Different Sounds Orchestra, please hear the suggestive soundscapes for yourselves - at least the audience gave standing ovations!
Katarina Nord, Medis 5, Sweeden
Response - My Story
26 February 2024
JDC, along with international partners, implemented of the RESPONSE project. This initiative aimed to gather various stakeholders to enhance their understanding and ability to provide rights-based and gender-responsive services for addressing gender-based violence against women with disabilities (WWD).
The backdrop of the project is the concerning reality that within the European Union, 40 million women with disabilities face vulnerability to different forms of gender-based violence, including physical, psychological, and virtual harm. Despite this, both specialized and mainstream support providers encounter challenges in effectively preventing gender-based violence against these women and providing them with personalized assistance.
RESPONSE, which stands for Responsive Services to Address Gender-Based Violence Against Women with Disabilities, seeked to unite diverse stakeholders to enhance their knowledge and capabilities in delivering services that respect rights and are responsive to gender-based violence experienced by women with disabilities.
During the RESPONSE final event, Daiva (JDC service user) shared her personal story.
I am Daiva.
Today, I feel powerful enough to address you.
Today, I feel beautiful – I trust myself.
Today, I feel free – I can advocate for myself.
Today, I feel wonderful – I am unique.
Today, I feel magical – I have shaped my destiny.
But my story starts 45 years ago in the Soviet Union.
In the Soviet Union disability didn’t exist.
Newborns like me were often isolated in large institutions in the countryside.
My mother was pressured to give me away.
Thanks to my family – they were brave enough to keep me.
I grew up in a loving family.
I went to a special school because I didn't have another choice.
After finishing school, I couldn't even dream of studying more.
After my country, Lithuania, became independent it changed a lot and got better.
Today everyone has the same possibilities and rights.
Today, like everyone else, I can:
advocate for myself,
fight for my rights,
to speak and be heard.
I am happy about the possibility of being part of the project team.
To learn together, to discover together, to be more confident.
I am proud that I am the leader of women with disabilities at my organization.
During the project, we learned a lot:
To recognize the gender-based violence
To know how to get the help.
To know how to provide the help.
Peer support and Sisterhood are powerful.
In this project, a group of women and I come together to fight violence against women with disabilities.
This project gives us easy-to-understand information on how to prevent violence.
Here we deepen our knowledge about violence, its types, and how to recognize and prevent violence.
I have a message from women with disabilities everyone should have:
the same rights,
the same chances,
the same opportunities.
Everyone should be safe and have a good quality of life...
Eglė Gudžinskienė, JDC, Lithuania
