HHA & ‘The Dream’ at the Parapan Games – Opening Ceremony

Many of you will have heard about HHA’s collaboration with BMS and Global Hand, in forming a campaign called ‘The Dream.’  A dream to see Haiti represented at London 2012, in order to challenge stigma within Haiti, and the lack of international support for persons with disabilities in the developing world.  On Saturday night this dream in many ways became a reality, as Leon, one of our SCI patients stood before the world at the opening ceremony of the 2011 Parapan games in Mexico.  The build up to this incredible moment hadn’t been easy, as you can read in our most recent blog – Leon represents Haiti in Mexico and below, from CEO Carwyns account…

‘Having arrived in Mexico so last minute, after weeks of nervous anticipation as to whether our last minute registration would be accepted, the small Haitian delegation suddenly realised we had no team outfits!  It didn’t take long to realise as we walked around the Parapan village where all the delegations stay, that we were the only team without official outfits.  I felt like a character from the film Cool Runnings, surrounded by teams like the US who really look the business.  Adding to the crisis on the Friday, was the reality that at 4.30pm we would be formally welcomed at a special ceremony to the Parapan games.  By this stage, we literally had two hours to charge around the city trying to find matching outfits for our team of 5, in the Haitian colours of red and blue.  It was harder than it sounds, and only at 4pm with 30 minutes to go we finally found some clothes and charged back to our presentation.

Getting there just in time, a relatively small but very memorable ceremony took place as the Haitian NPC head of delegation shared a few words alongside two other countries, and the Haitian flag was raised.  Leon looked on with great pride, as did we all, finally knowing that Haiti had truly arrived at this great event.  However, we’d really seen nothing yet!

The following evening all 1,500 athletes and their teams from the 24 represented countries headed to a Stadium in Guadalajara (the city where we’re staying.)  It didn’t take long as all the teams sat back stage in a large tent for the atmosphere to literally go crazy.  I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it.  Driven by the exciting Latin music, the whole place burst alive into a huge party.  To begin with Leon hesitantly danced on his own, slowly taking in this surreal scene, until all of a sudden, he too burst into life.  The two of us joined a huge congo, and for the next 30 minutes or so, Leon shouting at the top of his voice, kept proudly chanting ‘Haiti, Haiti, Haiti’ charging around the room.

The teams then started lining up for the official opening ceremony, as we awaited our turn to enter the stadium.  Suddenly, Haiti’s name was called, and all of a sudden our small delegation of 5 was walking before a packed stadium of thousands of people, Leon and Evans (one of the heads of NPC Haiti) proudly waving the flag.  It was an amazing experience, hearing people cheering for Haiti with rapturous applause, and seeing Leon taking part in such an incredible event.

Our heart to see the stigma of disability in Haiti had taken a huge step forward!  Despite all the negative press the recovery effort in Haiti has at times faced, here was a moment in history, where one of the worst affected earthquake victims from 2010 was showing the true heart, courage and beauty of Haiti!  Leon is already looking forward to taking this experience back to Haiti and challenging the stigma as part of ‘The Dream’ campaign, by talking at schools, churches and the like, and sharing the reality of what people with disabilities can achieve!

 

Another touching moment amidst all of the festivity, was when one of the Parapan medics approached Leon, and told him that he’d been on one of the search and rescue teams sent from Mexico to Haiti immediately after the earthquake.  It was obviously a touching and moving experience for all (as seen in the photo on the left.)

 

 

 

Thanks to your support and those who have got behind ‘The Dream’ campaign, Haiti has arrived at the Parapan games.’

You can follow more blogs from Carwyn in Haiti via our blog page.