„In Münster a lot is going on“, Severine Höing about recreation offers for children with intellectual disability

Cooking, crafting, swimming and cinema: Children with intellectual disabilities have just as much fun doing free time activities as able-bodies ones. However, there are not just as many facilities. The German organisation Lebenshilfe tries to change this. The social pedagogue Severine Höing from the Lebenshilfe talked with REHACARE.de about how organisations and other institutions for kids can open themselves for new offers.

01.08.2009

The organisation Lebenshilfe lets
kids decide what they want to do
© Lebenshilfe Münster

REHACARE.de: Mrs Höing, why do children with intellectual disabilities need more recreation offers?
Severine Höing: Recreation is quality of life and important for every one of us. Enough offers for these children are important so that they can live a normal life.

REHACARE.de: Which offers does the Lebenshilfe in Münster have?
Höing: We have two kinds of offers. On the one hand we offer journeys and eight regular recreational groups where kids with intellectual disabilities and the same age can meet every week. They cook, craft, produce their own photo stories or visit the zoo. They can decide with us what they want to do. On the other hand we work together with other institutions which offer courses for disabled and non disabled kids – like sports groups or scouts.

REHACARE.de: Why do you still have courses which are for handicapped kids only?
Höing: Three years ago we asked our users and they said they want both – the regular peer groups and the more open offers in town. The regular groups are important for them since they have friends there they would not see as often as that without the courses. This is something which is easier for non disabled ones. The kids also said that these regular meetings strengthen them to try public offers. Unfortunately, there are still only few of these.

REHACARE.de: Why is that?
Höing: There are still inhibitions when children with intellectual disabilities want to take part in courses from „usual“ organisations which do not have any experiences with them. The institutions do not know how to treat them and which special needs they have to consider. The families are also insecure and ask themselves if their children are well provided for.

Finding friends is easier in regular
meetings © Lebenshilfe Münster

REHACARE.de: How can families overcome these inhibitions?
Höing: The different institutions just have to be open for the kids. It would be a good idea if parents visit the institutions, have a look at it and explain which help their kids need. Interest from both sides can already increase a feeling of security.

REHACARE.de: The Lebenshilfe supports this additionally.
Höing: We visit the organisations to broaden the offers for people with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to a project promotion we can pay a new employee who solely deals with this topic and contacts the institutions.

REHACARE.de: How do they react?
Höing: In general, they have a very open mind about it. Some organisations just do not have the money to pay another assistant who can support the disabled children. In such cases we try to get public subsidies or volunteers. We have already had a lot of success. In Münster a lot is going on.

The interview was conducted by Natascha Mörs.
REHACARE.de

- More about the German Lebenshilfe at: www.lebenshilfe-muenster.de