WOMEN's ACTIVITIES
This is one of the special programmes of the Paraplegics' Association of Slovenia, created and led by women themselves. Its basic aim is to relieve the specific difficulties which disabled women meet with every day, and it is especially meant for older women and those who are not attracted to other programmes. Of course, men are also invited to join the programme if it arouses their interest.
Characteristically, special help is available for women with regard to incontinence. Health maintenance and educational help are offered to encourage their self-awareness, and consequently their participation in social life. Various courses and workshops are organized for them to learn all sorts of handiwork, such as painting on silk, on glass or how to make pottery, flower-arrangements, etc.
Women can use the skills acquired for decorating their homes, but the emphasis is on recreation and social gatherings - the improved quality of their spare time. This proves successful as many women have engaged in interesting hobbies. Certainly hobbies represent one of the essential sources of their enjoyment at home.
Moreover, there is essay writing under the title "Our minutes for consideration of …" This is thought of as an invitation to share experiences, thoughts, emotions, and consequently to spiritually enrich their life of hardship.
The programme is carried out by elected representatives, with work being organized so that the ideas and experiences from a small group are transmitted to a bigger circle of members who come together in local branches of the Paraplegics' Association of Slovenia or its inter-branch meetings. An interdisciplinary approach is absolutely necessary, involving all kinds of professional help.
The motto of all this activities is: to improve the quality of disabled women's life, and to help in such a manner that they will be able to help themselves.
The trend of development of paraplegics' life, individually or socially, only goes to confirm their need for organized self-help.
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