«The only happiness in life is a constant desire to move forward», Emil Zola once wrote, but two different things were to be sought and moving. Some people stop developing, losing chances, but there are others: they find opportunities in spite of any obstacles. For example, as our heroes are constantly moving forward, regardless of anything

Danylo Zelinskyi is a student of the 1st course of the Faculty of Ecology and Law of Zhytomyr National Agroecological University, prizewinner of championships of Ukraine, Europe and the world with para karate
«I was very fortunate with classmates and teachers: they create all the possible comfortable conditions for my training. I was also good at school, everyone tried to help me. I’m happy at all – I meet a lot of good people. I am a friend with all groupmates, but with the boys we immediately found a common language»

«Of course, I’m worried about the exams, but I’m trying to master myself. If you worry – nothing good will happen. Maybe I’m helping me do sports. Trainers advised a good way to get rid of excitement – to organize their thoughts. Then you almost stop worrying. Of course it does not always work out, but I try»

«The decision to do sports is my idea, my initiative. This was supposed to be the very kind of sport. Once I saw the speeches on television, I liked it and there was such a dream»

«I remember my first lesson of karate: I met very well, introduced the athletes of the club. Everyone is talking to me on an equal footing, I do not feel sorry for me. The requirements, as well as for every athlete, may be even bigger, because I represent our country internationally, and this is very responsible. Before the competitions, I usually train three times a week, in regular mode – twice a week. Recently, there were very responsible competitions, in front of which were held sporting events in Lviv. We mastered the new technology and worked to improve the current results»

«I like karate, and in another sport I do not see myself. I was offered to deal with armwrestling. Still encouraged to try themselves in this kind of sport, as the boch is, by the way, the Paralympic sport»

«Recently there were competitions in Kiev where I became the winner. He also took part in the Para-karate Championship in Spain. I really liked it there. First of all, I drew attention to accessibility. If compared with Ukraine, then we usually have some improvements, but not everywhere. And there you can go elementary in public transport, calmly anywhere you can go: elevators, ramps – without questions. Full availability!»

«We lived in the city where Cervantes was born – the author of the world-famous work about Don Quixote. This is an aristocratic city, and I really liked the Spaniards’ lack of time»

«I like reading. Mostly interested in scientific articles, various kinds of encyclopedias, and in general I am interested in politics»

«Grandma is very helpful to us. She provides the rear»(Laughs)

«At the feast Mom gave flowers – mimosa. And she told her how I love her!»

«As for the future, I do not look long and far ahead, and I do not build long-term plans. I want to progress through my life gradually. Now my main goal is to finish the university, then to find a good job. My dream of a fantasy category is to go to politics, but do not leave the sport. The near dream is to take part in the Paralympic Games»

Natalia Zelinska – mother of Danylo

«So far, karate is not included in the list of sports that are included in the Paralympic Games. In the championships in Europe and the world where we were recently, Denmark was the only one who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, among the representatives of the participating countries. There were people with spinal injuries or amputated limbs, but it was much easier for them to move on a cart. They feel more confident both during the competition and in life. The winner of the European Championship this year in the category «Women on Carts» – in the past, the member of the Spanish national team of karate, military. Now she has a knee injury, and she moves on the cart. At the World Championship in the category represented by Dan, there were 18 men. The winner was a representative of Egypt, whose limbs are damaged, but he can walk. The cart with him – auxiliary means of travel, and we have – the main. So, it’s not very fair … But at the moment, this is provided by the rules of the competition. The International Karate Federation plans to review the distribution of categories to the next World Cup in Dubai, depending on the degree and characteristics of the disease»

«It’s easy for us nothing was ever given, but thanks to the environment, we have a lot of people around us. First and foremost, this is a huge moral support. Although, of course, this is a material support, because people see that we do not throw anything into the wind – everything contributes to the development and sporting achievements»

«At karate, we did get by chance. Anna Yatskova, the president of the Dojo club, came to the school where she studied, and suggested that children engage in karate, and said that they also deal with children with disabilities. I just came up and asked: «I have a son on a cart. How do you see us in this sport?» Then it was not even thought that we would take care of it. I did not know that in other countries, people on carts are already engaged in karate, did not understand how this is happening at all. Coach suggested to try. Danya has since then been the only para-karate sportsman in Ukraine who acts in the category «Men on Wheelchairs (KATA»

«Danya correctly says: «I’m not special, I’m like everyone else. Just let me realize myself»

«We live by the principle: «If we do not declare ourselves, we will not achieve anything by themselves, nobody will bring us anything on the plate». And if we have something now, then this is the result of our work, for which we receive appreciation or reward»

«We gave a lot to the school. Due to the attitude that was formed at school, education in Christian values, Danya does not get caught up in his disability, he has no complexes. He freely communicates with peers who have no health problems. At the Zhytomyr National Agroecological University, where Dan is now studying, they are getting used to such communication. There are amusing situations, when called to the board, say: «Come out». Danya jokes: «I do not go out, I’m leaving». Or suggest sitting in place, and Danya says: «I’m already sitting». Teachers are surprised that he can jumble on this topic. So we adapt to life when we can not change anything»

«We live in the conditions that are, but, of course, we want more accessibility. Recently, of course, it has become better, especially at the university, everyone is coming to the fore: they change the schedule, built a ramp. But the main obstacle is human consciousness. Sometimes we encounter such manifestations, which do not want to talk about»

«In Europe, the integration of people with disabilities is completely different. Once I had to be at a seminar in Italy, and we saw how the children are studying there: they all attend school together, studying independently of the stage of the disease severity. The same is a question in the sport: there is I-karate, that is, “Inclusive Karate Federation. «Due to this, we were lucky to be at competitions in Lviv, Hungary, Spain»

«Inclusive education is clearly needed. Danya was the first in Zhytomyr region to go to a regular school for those who were moving around with a carriage. By the time we were first-graders, we did not want to take anything – everyone offered homeschooling. For this reason, we at one time and in the garden did not get. But Danya was developed, sociable, he needed communication. My classmate in the Korostyshiv Pedagogical College took responsibility and said: «Let’s try». So Danya was in the Ukrainian-Italian school «Universe», and no homeschooling from the first to the eleventh class! We did not miss any lessons, except for cases when there were colds. Of course, it is necessary to differentiate children depending on the severity of the disease, but education should be inclusive»

«I do not know if I am a strong woman. Everyone says that (Smiling). Physical forces have to do a lot, but sometimes it is very difficult morally. At the same time I can not give emotion to freedom: Danya feels everything. If he sees that I am sad, I am worried, his mood is worsening, he will apologize for everything, ask me whether I love him, whether it is difficult for me, or whether he can help. He and his grandmother regret, understands that it is even more difficult for her. We and my grandmother are also strong, because it’s worth saying that he is tired, Danya tries to do everything himself or more carefully, but sometimes it gets worse. Therefore grandmother must be strong»

«We often write about us, show on television, but we are quite calm about this. We show people that we do not need to sit in the four walls, we do not have to fear either adults or children. Opportunities are not always material. First of all – it’s a desire. If there is a desire, we can achieve everything: we wanted to get to school – got, wanted to do sports – we are engaged, we wanted to get a higher education – we get. At the same time, I only help, decision and desire – from Danya. We all just help to realize the dream, to achieve the goal»

«I practically do not rest. To physically rest is real, but morally – almost never, because all the time interfere with thoughts. We really would like to relax together, but there are no opportunities – many places for people with strollers are not available. Rest for us is still an unrealizable dream. Every year we review the sites, though we would have thought about Odessa, but there is a question of accessibility besides material issues. Everywhere they write on the sites about the presence of a wide beach, and we do not have a wide need! We need wooden paths to get water. When Danya was small, it was a little easier, and now another question was added – locker rooms: I will not go with him to a man, and Dany with me – to the woman. On locker rooms everything is over»

«In Spain, Madrid, in the towns of Alcalá de Henares and Guadalajara, in which we were in competition, all types of municipal transport are equipped either with hoists or ramps, whether it’s a bus or any taxi. They do not even allow people to have obstacles or obstacles in the carriage. And from the city of San Sebastian, we were generally shocked: there are elevators, even if there are only two steps. It’s a dream!»
Translated by Aliona Matushevich