FOR 10 CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES AGED 10–16

“From horse riding… together toward independence!”
Pathways toward independence and social inclusion for adolescents with physical and psychological disabilities, starting with equestrian activities.

INTRODUCTION
This new pathway toward independence was developed following the success of the two horse-riding camps for adolescents held in 2014 and 2015 with support from Fondazione Irma Romagnoli Onlus. These were new, experimental experiences in which 12 young people with disabilities who already attended weekly riding sessions during the year came together in September, before school started, for a day camp organized by AIASPORT Onlus. Their initial aim was to ride together, have fun, and share their enthusiasm for horses. Our main aim, however, was to help them navigate the challenges of adolescence through discussion, cooperation, sharing, expressing and processing emotions, and relationships with peers.
During these two weeks, spent together from morning until late afternoon, important bonds and relationships developed. Individual interests and qualities emerged, and a group formed that wanted to meet outside the riding center as well.
The families of our 12 riders also gave extremely positive feedback. Given the excellent results and meaningful relationships established, they explicitly asked us to continue the horse-riding camp in 2016 and find new ways for participants to meet throughout the year, creating leisure opportunities outside school and educational or rehabilitation settings.
This new project therefore grew from an idea developed together by AIASPORT staff and volunteers, the young people, and their families.

THE PROJECT
The 2016 project proposes a range of recreational, social, educational, and sporting activities both at and away from the riding center. These will include monthly activities throughout the year and the third summer horse-riding camp. Aimed primarily at young people aged 10–16 with physical and psychological disabilities, the project seeks to encourage social participation and inclusion among local peers, helping participants become more independent and more aware of themselves, their emotions, needs, limitations, and potential. It is based on the belief that belonging to a group can provide a strong foundation for growth.

Alongside the weekly riding activities, where participants already work in small groups and maintain the relationships strengthened during the September camp, we will offer additional meetings and activities. Initially held one afternoon and evening each month, these will reflect participants’ needs and suggestions, such as films, shows, parties, and themed outings. We then hope to plan two-day trips with an overnight stay in spring and summer to strengthen group relationships and friendships.
The program will conclude with the third horse-riding camp, again planned for September, just before school starts.

OBJECTIVES
› The primary aim is to encourage relationships and increase opportunities for adolescents with physical and psychological difficulties to meet, forming a strong group where they feel welcomed and understood, can seek support, and can share both difficult and happy moments.
› This offers an alternative peer group, which adolescents often begin to prioritize over family as they naturally move toward independence. For these young people, this transition can be painful in two ways: families may overprotect them or, conversely, leave them overwhelmed by numerous commitments they cannot manage; at the same time, the young people face considerable difficulties relating to peers at school and elsewhere.
› Adolescence as a stage of development is often marked by depression or efforts to overcome it, sadness, agitation, anger, feelings of worthlessness, and pessimism. Apparent boredom and indifference can conceal low self-esteem, guilt, and shame, sometimes alternating with feelings of triumphant invincibility.
Significant physical changes also occur at this age, including sexual maturation and hormonal development. For our riders, these challenges add to other personal and specific difficulties.
The project also aims to help participants accept these changes calmly and naturally, making meetings an opportunity to exchange feelings and emotions and share similar problems, putting them in perspective and helping participants recognize them as common, normal, and acceptable.

› Finally, improving the quality of life of families with children with disabilities is a fundamental goal. We aim to strengthen their social relationships and encourage active participation in recreation and leisure. Too often, these families are overlooked and left to manage their children’s daily lives and free time alone.

PARTICIPANTS
The 2016 project is intended for 12–14 young people aged 10–16, going through puberty and adolescence, with Cheap England football shirts physical and psychological disabilities who already attend the equestrian activities offered by AIASPORT ONLUS.
The project will also welcome participants from outside the association who are interested in meeting new friends, enjoying time together, visiting interesting cities and places, and taking part in sports. They will always be supported by specialist educators and activity leaders with many years of experience working with people with disabilities.

IMPLEMENTATION AND TIMELINE
The project will last nine months, beginning in January 2016 and ending in September with the third horse-riding camp for adolescents. We also hope to deliver the monthly leisure program, whose ultimate aim, as described above, is to develop greater independence in relationships and stronger emotional bonds among participants.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES
The first two horse-riding camps for adolescents produced growing improvements in relationships, time spent together, positive and adaptive behavior toward others, communication, and the transfer of these skills to other settings. Building on this success, we believe the new project can strengthen these young people’s relationships, providing a secure foundation from which to seek independence beyond the family and, particularly, school. It aims to increase self-esteem without requiring participants to conform, withdraw from their peer group, or suffer because of perceived limitations. Instead, they should feel appreciated and recognized in an atmosphere that accepts and values differences, their Cheap Real Madrid football shirts  emerging potential, and the uniqueness of each individual as a human being.
Our experience over the years also suggests that this pathway toward independence is useful and beneficial. Parents greatly appreciate our initiatives and report that their children are more mature and independent by the end of the program.
One of the greatest obstacles is the high cost of outings for participating families and for AIASPORT ONLUS staff, who often provide their valuable services without payment to keep costs affordable and enable as many young people with disabilities as possible to participate.

PROJECT COST
The overall project cost comprises the third horse-riding camp and six monthly leisure outings planned for January–June 2016.
The estimated summer camp cost is similar to last year’s: €6,000.00. The six monthly outings are expected to cost approximately €2,600.00, giving a total of €8,600.00.
(Services are exempt from VAT under Article 10, paragraph 27-ter, of Presidential Decree 633/72.)

AIASPORT ONLUS undertakes to cover 65% of the total project cost, €5,590.00, by allocating part of the recently received 5 per mille tax-designation funds, requesting participation contributions from the families of children with disabilities enrolled in the project, and organizing fundraising activities such as dinners, parties, and Easter egg distributions.

A contribution is requested from   cheap football shirts   Fondazione Irma Romagnoli Onlus to cover the remaining 35% of the costs of this ambitious initiative, amounting to €3,010.00.

Below is a detailed breakdown of project costs, divided between the horse-riding camp, whose costs are well established after two previous editions, and the leisure program with six monthly outings, a new experience for us: