BOSTON, not to foreclose the innovation to people with disabilities
We are on the eve of a very difficult and crucial leg of my world tour. I’m here to reach the heart before of those in power: those who can make new technologies accessible to people with disabilities, in order to improve their mobility, to help them enter the job market, to remove the obstacles that prevent them from attending school. In a sentence, to shorten the distance from those societies that still preclude the right of citizenship and the right to active participation.
With an economy based on financial services, health care and research in the field of technology, including biotechnology, Boston is one of the most important economic centers in the U.S. and in the world. Its universities, the MIT in particular, devote significant resources to research and development of prosthetic devices to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities. Among the departments that spend most of their time and resources on this research is definitely the “Biomechatronics Media Lab”, chaired by Professor Hugh Herr who, and I’m so proud of it, has agreed to support my message.
The day of my crossing will be September 22, swimming a distance of approximately 30 km – as planned by Greg O’Connor, President of MOWSA, (Massachusetts Open-Water Swimming Association) – whom I thank, together with Elaine Kornbau for their contribution to my project. I take the opportunity to invite the American open-water swimming community to support me actively by taking part in my initiative.
A big hug of gratitude and love goes to those who are helping me with the organization, as my thoughts inevitably point to those who wanted to support and share my journey of hope.
With Affection
Salvatore Cimmino