REMOVE THE BARRIERS TO CREATE AN INCLUSIVE AND ACCESSIBLE SOCIETY

First of all I wish to thank all the participants for attending today because their interest and support is very important to me.

(Prof. Maria Chiara Carrozza, Prof. Eugenio Guglielmelli, Piero Salussolia, Alfredo Pagani, Dr. Edward Von Freymann, as well as Hon. Franca Biondelli and Eng. Elio Catania who, at the very last moment, could not attend).

This is exactly the starting point, the issue of solidarity and sharing and how important these two words are for everyone, especially the disabled in the course of a lifetime. The UN Convention on disabilities outlines quite clearly and efficiently, the conditions which will allow every disabled person to organize his life. Moreover it underlines, and this is extremely important, how every society must take responsibility for the disabled as a priority, making this condition a social issue and not a private one.

A sustainable, fair, impartial world doesn’t leave anybody behind and assumes responsibility for those in difficult situations.

This is of course, a correct approach in theory, but everyday life is much more harsh and it is often impossible to create these conditions because there are many obstacles and most of them are difficult to overcome.

One obstacle is the economic factor; indifference is an obstacle as is ignorance and the lack of information. But science and politics may substantially bypass all of them if there is the will to do so; if there is cooperation and awareness.

One obstacle is the economic factor; indifference is an obstacle as is ignorance and the lack of information. But science and politics may substantially bypass all of them if there is the will to do so; if there is cooperation and awareness.

Since I began wearing a prosthesis, already over 35 years ago, science has made incredible progress. Advancements in technological research, thanks to the extraordinary skills of its researchers, lead to the production of high quality products, and not only in the field of prostheses, capable of greatly improving the quality of our lives.

These improvements, believe me, are not only an advantage for all of us availing ourselves directly, but they are actually considerably advantageous, even from an economic point of view for the whole of society.

I want to start from my experience: since I was provided with a state-of the-art prothesis with an electronic knee, 8 years ago, the National Health Care has saved considerably as was confirmed to me by my local Health Board (ASL) ; I did not have the need to apply to the prosthesis Center of Vigorso for constant repairs and adjustments as I had in the past. In addition it solved most of my back problems because I can walk more upright and with less fatigue.

The heart of the problem is this: why cannot all disabled persons avail themselves of the same advantages? Why is such an obsolete tariff nomenclature still in force in Italy? Imagine the loss, for this country, in economic terms and in terms of common civility, caused by ignoring such delays?
The World Health Organization supplies us with frightening data: each year there are more than 1 million amputations due to diabetes. Every 30 seconds a person looses a leg.

The number of the new cancer cases per year will increase from 14 to 22 million in the next two decades.

The rare diseases are approximately 6000 and 80% of them have a genetic origin. According to recent studies, in the European Union approximately 30 million people are affected by a rare disease, which means the sum of the Population of Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Only in Italy there are approximately 2 million of people and 70% of them are children.

I am offering this data because its scope in terms of numbers and importance, I strongly believe, should magnify the urgent need of facing the issue of disability with new parameters, surpassing the concept of mere assistance to inclusion, participation, listening, promoting courses of autonomy and valorization of capacities, focusing on the topic of work and jobs and keeping in mind always that for this issue, especially for this issue, it is necessary to focus on a long-term plan, because a significant investment today would allow a large saving for the future.

Since we are talking about people, and people should never be considered exclusively as a cost, I wish to stress the hope that disability, intended as a diverse ability, should be perceived as a resource, as an opportunity of growth and development for all societies.

In these past years, touring Italy and the world with the intent of creating awareness on the urgent needs of the disabled, I have had the opportunity to meet only extraordinary people: people from all walks of life and political representatives, always welcoming and willing to listen and to collaborate.
Politicians, and I am referring to local administrators, have never refused to help, and have always demonstrated great dignity and capability in their roles of leadership and governing.

In the smaller arenas, often projects are organized that involve the disabled, and it is very clear to the mayors and councilmen of these small communities how important it is to support the families, who should never be left alone to manage their difficulties.

For my part, I will continue doing the things I know how to do: swimming and hoping that each time my endeavors create curiosity and draw attention to the big problems we face, giving people the opportunity to speak out, representing the needs and the wishes of all those who are not able to express themselves.

Today, in this Sports Center, which was the first to believe in me and in my project, politics are present and science is also present. Starting today, from this meeting, I firmly hope that new ideas will arise to begin a useful, beneficial and fruitful collaboration.

Peace
Salvatore Cimmino