The difficulties of persons with disabilities in Albania

2024-06-30 22:53:00, Sociale CNA

About 140,000 people with disabilities are registered in Albania, most of whom face difficulties and problems in movement, receiving social and health services, employment and the integration process. The correspondent of the Voice of America, Pëllumb Sulo, was in the premises of the association of para-tetraplegics in Shkodër, where he got to know the problems and concerns of people with disabilities and the support that is being given to them by a couple of volunteers from the USA.

About 50 people with disabilities have joined the summer camp 2024 in the premises of their first association and tetraplegics in Shkodër.

The summer camp is promoted and supported by two American spouses, volunteers Donna and Chris Ellsworth, who say it was their wish to bring people with disabilities together with the aim of getting to know each other and each other's lives. .

"What we understand, says Donna Ellsworth, is that everyone has special needs and that they like each other's company, an opportunity to bring them together to talk and discover that they have the same feelings and problems. I think, says Mrs. Ellsworth, that they need support and to be made aware that they are wonderful people with special abilities".

The Ellsworths have traveled to many countries around the world to support people with disabilities and help them do whatever they can and want to do in their lives.

"People with disabilities need physical and emotional support in order to continue to progress on the difficult road to rehabilitation and self-reliance," says Chris Ellsworth.

Saimir Ustabeqiri, who leads the association, says that, during the stay at the 2024 summer camp, disabled people follow through the screen the experiences and messages of disabled people from different countries of the world, participate in games and exercises that facilitate them communication and movement.

"It is a beautiful activity that conveys a message to these people, for whom no one remembers who. We are trying to do something different to get them out of the house, from monotony, accumulated stress and many, many other problems. I spent a few days in a different way, with company and friends who are dear to my heart but see very rarely because of the many problems that are in our country", he says.

About 140,000 people with disabilities are registered in Albania, but only half of them benefit from financial support from the state, support that is small compared to the great needs these people have.

Being in a wheelchair for many years, Muhamedin Alijahaj says that society and the state can do more for disabled people.

"With these salaries that people with disabilities have, you can't even afford medicine. Are you eating me, are you drinking me? Where is the power? Where is the government to ease our suffering, to ease our economy, to give us help so that we too are equal. When no one supports us, how are we equal?", he says.

The first association of quadriplegics in Shkodër has limited opportunities to meet the needs of its members, whose number is increasing year by year. The association, says its leader Saimir Ustabeqiri, also this person with disabilities, relies mainly on donations from local and foreign associations as well as the work of a permanent group of volunteers.

Part of the 2024 summer camp with disabled people are also 7 volunteer girls, most of them students. For several years they have become part of Shkodra's first & quadriplegic association in support of disabled people.

"I have been a volunteer in this association for three years, says student Sabina Anza. I volunteered because these people have many challenges in their lives, they have many problems. They need a lot of help, especially to respect their many needs".

Albania has approved the 2021-2025 national plan for persons with disabilities, which foresees a wider support for this category of persons in need. However, many of the problems of this plan continue to remain unimplemented in terms of the access of these persons to be equal with others in different environments, in transport, information and communication technology, as well as for all other facilities. in public services, employment and health service./VOA