Adapted sport and judo: a story of putting down prejudices

Since October, fourteen young people from the Maillol medico-educational institute have been taking judo lessons.

Pfor them, it’s a Christmas present every week! “. Pierrot, unavoidable teacher on the tatami mats of the Canohès-Toulouges Judo Accord club (JECT) is satisfied in the face of the delighted faces of the group of young people from the Aristide-Maillol Institute of Medico-Educational (IME) in Perpignan at the time of the final salute. Despite the health constraints, all those involved in these courses stood firm for this project, which is part of the ESMS * X clubs, to see the light of day. Successful bet since October.

The idea first germinated in the offices of the French Paralympic Sports Committee (CPSF) which launched a call for projects at the national level: “The objective is to create an impetus between federated sports clubs and establishments welcoming people with mental and psychological disabilities. It is beneficial for all stakeholders. “, explains Sylvain Sabatier, Occitanie referent of the CPSF which finances these sessions. For the P.-O., the departmental adapted sport committee 66 (CDSA) was selected to put in relation specialized establishments and sports clubs. ” is harnessed in particular Gaëlle Villagorde, sports and disability development officer for whom “the machine is started”.

Barefoot and a well-fitting kimono, Jara Munoz, specialist educator in charge of sports activities at IME Maillol, appreciates “this project which allows young people to leave the IME. The idea is to experience everything we have learned internally with other people. And also to work within the framework of inclusion, to move towards the ordinary environment and ultimately for these young people to join a club. We are talking about both development and integration. And for that, sport is a vector support “.

A vision shared by Pierrot, experienced in this type of exchange and sharing for many years already. “Here we learn to live together while developing motor skills. The objective is to make inclusion in the ordinary environment. At the club, since 1995, we adapt to disabled people.”

Delessy, 18, a student at the IME, confirms the general enthusiasm: “Coming here, I like it. I like to fight and the games we make.”

Creating the desire to continue the activity among these young people, aged 17 to 20, outside the IME is also a mission of all the actors of this project. To promote their autonomy, their thirst for learning, their relationships with others. So that disability is no longer a hindrance to life in society.

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