Paralympic Awareness Day 2012

With the amazing performances of the London Paralympics still fresh in our minds, Bridging Abilities, Inspire2Become and the Stellenbosch University Sport Science Department hosted a Paralympic Awareness Day for children with disabilities on the 20^th October.

Schools arriving at the venue

On the morning of the event, the registration area was a hub of excitement as upon arrival, the learners each received a name tag, a bottle of water and were allocated a group in which they would be doing the activities.

After a short welcoming by Candace Vermaak, Co- Executive director of Bridging Abilities, Fanie van der Merwe, Co-Executive Director of Inspire2Become, gave a short speech in which he shared some of his experiences at the London 2012 Paralympics. After Fanie’s motivational speech about how he persevered after the initial disappointment of his 200m race, it was time for the games to begin. 

Sitting volleyball being played by the
children and Paralympic athletes

The children who had a variety of disabilities including spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, amputations, cerebral palsy, visual impairments and legally blind, went into three separate halls to enjoy their first Paralympic sports activity. In each hall there were a range of activities such as sitting volleyball, basketball, boccia and athletics. The layout of the department once again allowed the kids with mobility problems to move around independently.

Fanie, Duane, Roxy, Anrune and
Zanelle.

Adding to the excitement of the day was the fact that a handful of Paralympic athletes joined in the activities of the day. Anrune Liebenberg (2012 Paralympic women’s 200m T46 bronze medallist and 400m silver medallist), Roxy Burns( Para-cyclist), Zanele Situ (2000 and 2004 medalist in the F54/55 javelin catergory) and Fanie van der Merwe (2012 100m T37 gold medallist), spent the morning sharing their experiences as well as participating in the activities with the children. The activities were fabulously presented by the third year sport science students. The day ended off with a lovely group photo. As each child was leaving, he/she got an autographed photo of one of the Paralympic athletes who were present, as well as a packed lunch.

Bridging Abilites, Inspire2Become and Stellenbosch Sport Science Department would like to thank the third year students, as well as our sponsors and service providers who made this event possible. We hope to be hosting many more such events in the future.

Paralympic Awareness Day Group Photo

For more information either visit our website (www.bridgingabilities.co.za), our Facebook page or email us on info@bridgingabilities.co.za

Here is a copy of an interview that the Eikestad Nuus, a local newspaper, held with Candace Vermaak and Toni Mould after our successful Paralympic Awareness event which we held on the 20th of October 2012.

Event on the 20 October 2012!

Bridging Abilities, Inspire2Become, and Stellenbosch University's Sport Science Dept is hosting an event on the 20 Oct 2012. A few South African Paralympic athletes will be in attendance to speak to the students and encourage them! See below for details!

24th September 2011 Video

Here is the link the video from our Sports Day in Sept 2011.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaPwnVFbg6k

For more info you can also use the following address: info@bridgingabilities.co.​za

 

National Braai Day 2011

On Saturday the 24^th September 2011 the Sport Science Department, Stellenbosch University was a buzz of excitement. Bridging Abilities in collaboration with the Sport Science Department hosted a fun sports day for children with physical disabilities.   

Bridging Abilities is a new NPO based in Stellenbosch, who was started by Candace Vermaak and Toni Mould.  Candace is a Biokineticist in training and Adapted Physical Activity Specialist and Toni is a Social Worker who herself is a person with Cerebral Palsy. They shared a dream of establishing an organisation which caters for persons with physical and intellectual disabilities, fostering personal and social development through sport, recreation and rehabilitation. Bridging Abilities teamed up with the Sport Science Department and the Kinder Kinetics division under the supervision of Suzanne Ferreira a well known coach for Paralympic track and field athletes, namely Hilton Langenhoven and Fanie van der Merwe.  

The layout and accessibility of the department allowed students with various disabilities including those with spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, amputations, visual impairments and legally blind children to participate. The participants came from different parts of the Western Cape and included children and staff members from Athlone School for the blind, Astra School and individuals from various parts of Khayelitsha. Together with the staff, the training of the third year sport science students and knowledge of the Kinder Kinetics honours students under the supervision of Candace Vermaak and Suzanne Ferreira it provided a dynamic team that made the day specific to each child’s needs. The Sports Science students were enthusiastic and jumped in to assist where ever needed and to some extent might have enjoyed it more than the children. Support was also provided from RESPO International, which brought along their volunteers and students from the Greater Bulls in Mitchell’s Plain, the Khayelitsha Sport Organization for Disabled and the Ravensmead Disability Forum.  

A total of 45 children, 40 third year volunteers, 11 Kinder Kinetics honours students and 40 additional staff and community members attended day. The day started off with ice breakers and dividing of the children into three groups for the activities. The three groups were rotated through various activities and sports such as obstacles courses, blind futsal, soccer, sitting volleyball, basketball, bowling and various balloon and bubble blowing activities where free play was encouraged. The activities ended on a high with some of the Kinder Kinetics students teaching the children a Zumba dance, which was not only enjoyed by the children, but also the teachers and volunteers. This was a very successful end to the day’s activities. The children thoroughly enjoyed the day and this was reflected by one boy in a wheelchair who said “this was really well organized” with a chuffed look on his face. 

After the activities everyone was famished, and the tummies were satisfied with a chicken spit braai done by Braai World in celebration of National Braai day and of course two big cakes, since this day was a celebration of each child’s individual abilities.

Bridging Abilities would like to thank their sponsors Trade for Life (Pty) Ltd, the students, the head of the Sport Science Department, Prof. E. Terblanche for providing the facilities, members of the community who came to support this event, the BA board members’ support, the photographer Liezie van der Walt and the teachers and parents who brought the children, as without them this day would not have been possible. 

Future events are being scheduled for 2012. If you would like to get involved, participate or sponsor one of the events, please email candace@bridgingabilities.co.za or toni@bridgingabilities.co.za.