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Côte d'Ivoire to Special Olympics!

Diabate's team has been selected to play at the Special Olympics World Winter Games 2017 in Graz, Austria! Please help her get there.

My name is Romi, I work for Special Olympics in Africa and I so badly want to see Diabate and other athletes like her get to World Games.

You will be amazed at how attitudes can change towards people with intellectual disabiltities through the power and joy of sport!

Read more about Diabate's story here...

“My name is Diabate Sogbet Hadidiah, and I am a Special Olympics athlete with autism from Cote d’Ivoire.”

Diabate lives in Cocody, Abidjan.  She is 18 years old, and has a brother and a sister. She used to attend a private special education center in Adjamé, but her family can no longer afford to send her there. It was there she met Coach Tano, who introduced her to Special Olympics, where she started Judo.

Floorball was introduced to Special Olympics Cote d’Ivoire in October 2015.

“When Coach Tano came to my mother and I to ask me to register for Floorball, I found it strange. At first, I did not want to join. But when I saw my other friends playing this game, I immediately loved it.”

Diabate’s team has been together for one year. The team trains in Yopougon, 17 kilometres from where she lives in Cocody.

 “Now, I never stop pestering my mom to let me practice, especially since I learned that my winning team will be representing our country at the 2017 Games in Austria. I keep talking about my trip and the World Games. Today, my biggest dream is to return back home with the gold medal.”

In Cote d’Ivoire, society often rejects people with disabilities. They receive little to no recognition or inclusion in government policy and legislation.

According to Diabate’s coach, she gives her all to the sport, persevering despite that her disability means she learns and improves slowly.

Diabate’s mother has marveled at her improvement in fitness from her training. “From the physical side, I have noticed a definite change. Before, she did not have enough breath to run, but since she has been practicing floorball she can run for a long time and with no trouble breathing,” says Mrs. Hadidiah.

“I thank Special Olympics, because of the sports program I’m no longer shy. I am proud despite my being intellectually disabled. I have a friend in my team, Korotoum. And, I confess one thing: I have become handy around the house and home. I am now independent.”

Organizer

Romi Reinecke
Organizer
Washington D.C., DC
Special Olympics, Inc
 
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.

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