Adrián Conal. Volunteer for Walter Pack at NER Group.

"An initiative like this opens your eyes and allows you to discover another world."

Since 2010, dozens of volunteers from Nuevo Estilo de Relaciones (NER Group) have been collaborating on solidarity initiatives to contribute to improving society and our environment. Adrián Conal is one of those individuals who combines his work at Walter Pack with his charitable activities, and his personal circumstances have also motivated him: his own 10-year-old son has a functional disability.
Just over a month ago, Adrián and two of his colleagues from Walter Pack participated in the Hiru Handiak adapted sports days organized by NER Group, aimed at students with disabilities from three schools located in Sopuerta, Otxarkoaga, and Derio. The result was a “fantastic” and “highly recommended” experience.
Adrián Conal

Q.

A few days ago, you participated in a school awareness program on adapted sports. Why did you get involved in this initiative?

A.

Well, essentially for two reasons. The first is that I have a son who has a disability, hyperactivity, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and requires special attention. When the opportunity to work with people with functional disabilities arose, I thought that, just as other people had mobilized and been involved in caring for my son, I now had the opportunity to give back what I had received before with my son. Additionally, I have a great interest in education, training, and sports, so I thought, it’s like a 3-in-1, so I didn’t hesitate.

Q.

Tell us about the program: Who was it aimed at and what were the activities involved?

A.

In this case, it was aimed at secondary school students, teenagers around 15 years old, with three types of activities focused on sports practice. It’s important to note that these young people do not have a close relationship with sports, often because they believe they can’t do it or find it complicated. The three activities were dance, to give them the opportunity to interact with each other at a party. The second activity was ball games, to help them coordinate their movements while playing with a racket, and finally, scooter riding, to teach them the basic skills of handling a skateboard.

"The inclusion of people with disabilities should be a norm in all schools."

Q.

Which one did you participate in?

A.

Three volunteers from NER Group participated, and each one took part in an activity: one person participated in dance, another with the racket, and I, with the skateboard. Even though I had no idea how to do it, I thought to myself: this way, I learn a little bit.

Q.

Out of curiosity, how was your experience as a skateboarder?

A.

Well, it was mostly about enduring many falls, speeding down a slope like crazy, and ending up with knees full of injuries. It’s not my thing: I prefer walking and at most, riding a bike. Skateboarding, always with respect. If the boys and girls had a different instructor than the one teaching them the basics, things would have been different.

Q.

How many young people were you with, and in which center?

A.

I was with around 31 individuals, all of them with functional disabilities. The center I participated in is San Viator in Sopuerta, and I was surprised by the high level of complete integration these students have with others, which is something that is challenging in other centers. In my son’s center, for example, it’s only him and one classmate who are the first ones with functional disabilities, and sometimes, the coexistence with the rest of the students isn’t easy.

Q.

What did this experience mean to you?

A.

It was fantastic. Until now, this year, I hadn’t received as many hugs as I did that morning. They are incredibly grateful people: as soon as you lend them a hand to help them get on the skateboard, skate, or anything else, they constantly seek your approval and give you a hug, simply for being with them and paying attention to them.

Q.

Is it a recommendable experience?

A.

100%. Even though I have a son with certain specificities, which allows me to get to know other realities more closely, an initiative like this opens your eyes and allows you to discover another world.

Q.

This initiative can be seen from two perspectives: that of the students with disabilities and that of their classmates. How do the children with disabilities perceive it?

A.

They were very happy and they all enjoyed participating in everything. Their involvement was evident, even if there was an activity they preferred over another: in fact, they were all attentive to the music, but when they engaged in their assigned activity, they fully invested themselves in it.

Q.

From a more personal standpoint, what did these days bring to you?

A.

I tried to offer my help and assist with the requests of the instructor who was there, paying special attention to individuals with specific disabilities such as reduced mobility, vision, hearing, etc., so that they would not encounter any issues and could fully enjoy the experience.

"I hadn't received as many hugs since the beginning of the year as I did that morning."

Q.

After participating in this experience, what do you think classmates of students with functional disabilities can do on a daily basis?

A.

The center where I participated, San Viator, manages things very well because there are many individuals with functional disabilities, and this coexistence is normalized and well accepted by everyone. However, in my son’s center, there are only two individuals with functional disabilities, and the coexistence is not as integrated, even though from the very beginning, the teachers make an effort to educate the other students. At San Viator, thanks to the large number of individuals and the fact that it is one of the three centers with the highest degree of inclusion, everything is more normalized. All centers should strive for this, so that it is not something exclusive but the norm, and extend it to all individuals, not just those with functional disabilities, but also to those from other countries, different races… because we all tend to separate people who are different, even if we do it unconsciously.

Q.

What do you think society can do for individuals with functional disabilities?

A.

It depends a lot on each person, but above all, we need to be patient and show them a lot of affection because that’s what they ask for. Attention, patience, and affection.

Q.

What role do you think NER Group plays in this type of initiative to achieve real integration?

A.

If it weren’t for NER, we wouldn’t be able to participate in these kinds of ideas or reach initiatives like this. Everyone who is part of NER Group contributes to trying to improve various aspects of society. Because there are ideas in many fields, and unlike other companies and organizations, NER gives us the opportunity to participate in them.

Q.

Have you participated in other NER initiatives?

A.

Several years ago, I participated in another initiative that involved accompanying elderly people to the beach, and it was as enriching as this one.

"Society needs to pay attention, be patient, and show affection to people with disabilities."

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