Organisation hosts disability rights fun day on Durban’s beachfront

DURBAN beachfront was a hive of activity on Saturday as local organisation Made for More hosted a Disability Rights Awareness Beach Fun Day.

The day took on added significance as the world marks International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3.

The day is about promoting the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring equal participation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of life.

The theme for this year is ‘Empowering Persons with Disabilities through resourceful, sustainable and safe environments’.
General manager of Made For More, Michelle White, explained that the organisation aims to include, empower and equip people with disabilities through sport.

On Saturday, they facilitated and hosted an adaptive surfing session, a game of boccia (a precision ball sport, similar to bocce, and related to bowls) and a friendly football game.

“Today was a great success, and we are just so happy to see so many people come out and support our initiative. Our volunteers have also been amazing in making this day a success; they grafted hard and the surfers had a great time. One of our visions is to see people with disabilities included, equipped and empowered to live purpose-filled and passionate lives.

“We had a ramp to the beach to allow people in wheelchairs to access the event. We also had floating beach wheelchairs to allow some of the those who joined us today the beautiful experience of being in the ocean. It was a whole new sensation for so many involved. I’m truly grateful to all who made this day a resounding success,” she said.

White added the organisation’s mission is to break stigma while guiding and empowering people with disabilities to discover their abilities.

“We also do this through disability sports, mental health programmes, camps and community projects. Our sports programmes include adaptive surfing and boccia, a paralympic sport similar to bowls,” she explained.