The project is aimed at both theoretical and practical training of specialists working with special children. The program includes training in roller-sports and team games adapted to the different possibilities of children, developed on the basis of leading international practices.
The funds allocated for the implementation of this project were raised in December 2018 during the 4th charity children's fair of arts and crafts items "Energy of Good", which is annually held in the SUEK office in Moscow, with the support of the SUEK Foundation. REGIONS ". The event featured the works of schoolchildren from 6 regions where the company's enterprises operate.
The employees collected 177,200 rubles. It was decided to use this amount to finance the start of the Dream Skiing project on the basis of the Borzin special (correctional) boarding school for orphans and children left without parental care, with disabilities.
The fund "SUEK-REGIONS" used the collected amount to organize a one-week training course from the chief instructor of the "Dream Ski" program, purchased special equipment for adaptive rollers: roller skates, walker supports and specialized "ski villas". These are skis on wheels that are used in conjunction with ski boots. Unlike conventional rollers, "ski villas" have a long base, which provides good stability and correct foot placement. Long "ski villas" - stable and heavy - are suitable for children and adults with complex cerebral palsy, who work out with the help of a "verticalizer" (walker support). Short "ski villas" - more maneuverable - for those who are able to walk or stand without support. Roller skating exercises improve coordination, develop balance, facilitate the learning of basic elements and prepare for the transition to regular roller skating. With regular exercise, children begin to stand on their own and even walk.
During the week, the teachers of the Borzin boarding school were trained and a master class in practical exercises with the chief instructor of the "Dream Ski" program Ksenia Ptushkina: “I want to note the interest of the children. They like it. And the result is obvious. Children with mental disabilities learn to be attentive, following instructions - these are very important social skills for them. If on the first day many stood on the rollers uncertainly and tried to fall, now they are already skating on their own and trying to perform some simple elements. A very important point is the interest of the boarding school staff in the project. Despite the infrastructural difficulties, teachers understand the specifics of children and are ready to apply many of the Dream Skiing techniques. It is very important in the future to organize competitions for children so that they have a place to develop and strive for,”said Ksenia Ptushkina.
Dream Ski program - for children and adults with various health problems, such as the diagnosis of cerebral palsy (cerebral palsy), autism, Down's syndrome, visual and hearing impairments, they get the opportunity to engage in effective rehabilitation and socialization through skiing, roller sports, team games and other types of physical activity - was brought to life back in 2014. The ideological inspirers are the famous Russian actor and director Sergei Belogolovtsev and his wife Natalya. At first, for two years, the program worked on the basis of ski resorts in the regions of Russia. Then, in order to make the sport accessible at any time of the year, the directions "rollers" and "team games" were developed.
SUEK and the SUEK-REGIONS Foundation helped to expand the geography of the Dream Ski project. Coal miners have been cooperating with the ANO "Center for Social Assistance and Adaptation for People with Cerebral Palsy and Other Disabilities" Ski Dreams by Sergei Belogolovtsev "since 2016. During this time, children from the Kemerovo and Murmansk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory, and now also from Transbaikalia received the opportunity to study using a unique method.
