Including disabled children through sport

Dear difteurs,

"My name is Marie and I've been Aidante de Vie Sportive bénévole at Stade Orchésien, a soccer club in Orchies (59), since September 2024.

As I was keen to help, I came across the Enfants de la Balle association: I love sport and disability spoke to me. Inclusion is very important, it's the future, and I wanted to be part of it.

I have a background in sport, I used to play soccer and I was a bit of an example of a girl's inclusion in soccer. The same goes for disability: my mom works in IME (Instituts médicaux éducatifs) where I did an internship that I loved, and the kids were really engaging.

My favorite part of being a caregiver is giving and receiving without expecting anything, watching Naël evolve. Seeing his smile, always with a banana, is super satisfying and motivating.

In just a few months, Naël has come a long way, both in his daily life (according to his mom) and in sport. He's much better at channeling himself, and more patient, even if some days are harder than others, like everyone else. But we're seeing a beautiful evolution, and always with a smile, so it's great.

For those who are hesitant about becoming a Sports Life Helper at Les Enfants de la Balle, I'd just say give it a try. To try is to adopt it *laugh*.If you like sharing, if you like people and sport, you've got to go for it!"

A big thank you to you, dear difteurs, for your invaluable support and donations ✨

Dear difteurs,

Claire, Antoine's mom, tells how, thanks to Enfants de la Balle, her son is now thriving in inclusive basketball:

"Antoine has been playing basketball at the Basket Club de Lomme for a few months.

This year has been a bit difficult at school. Antoine is in IME, Institut Médico-Éducatif, and sport has really helped him. Every Thursday evening, before going to basketball, he's happy and euphoric. We have a smiling boy again, who prepares himself to be ready at 6pm. He's happy, self-sufficient, happy to go.

Thanks to Enfants de la Balle, Antoine has a great Aidante de Vie Sportive, Catherine. This is important because it's not easy for him to be included in a group. She helps and supervises him, while allowing him autonomy.We feel Antoine is blossoming thanks to her too.

Thank you all!It's thanks to you that we can share these beautiful, inclusive stories.

In 2024, the association will enable 250 extraordinary children to practice an inclusive sport. Every gesture counts to grow the virtuous circle of inclusion!