Money, spirit, or rehabilitation? Role of sports in lives of people with disabilities

Photo ERA

Богдан Петришин

The flip side of the coin

Imagine a simple equation. Ukraine is one of the four countries in the world where, besides salaries for athletes with disabilities, there's also a financial reward: bonuses for achievements. And almost the entire mini-universe of such individuals is trapped in sports. It's an "A" in the equation.

At the same time, the country doesn't have a system of social protection for these people: after receiving injury or disorder diagnosis, they don't undergo rehabilitation, adaptation, and socialization. There's usually no opportunity to gain useful knowledge and skills that they can apply in everyday life. Sometimes people receive social benefits all the lives that don't allow them to lead an independent and dignified life. This is "B."

If you add "A" and "B," it turns out that sports are nearly the only opportunity for most of the people with disabilities to achieve their potential professionally, to earn decent money, and leave their city and country. Because of this, many people with disabilities try to become professional athletes, since other ways are either closed or require a lot of effort. The activity supposed to serve as rehabilitation has become a monopoly and tool in minority's grips: when allegiance can be exchanged for a place on the team.