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Ablilimpiada 2002, the Dr. Piotr Janaszek VI Polish Special Olympics, took place from the 26th-28th of April in Konin, organized by the Mielnic Fund and in cooperation with the Association Against Disabilities. 31 teams from Poland and the Ukraine came to Konin.

Ablilimpiada allows people to demonstrate the skills they’ve acquired during therapy and rehabilitation. It is also a great time to get to know others and exchange ideas and knowledge. Many participants carefully prepare all year to take part in the games, a one-of-a-kind even in Poland.

This year over 140 people from Poland and the Ukraine took part in 15 individual competitions: sewing, ceramics, macramé, origami, painting, and more. There was also a literary contest which included three categories: autobiography, poetry, and “be a reporter”. Participants combined their strengths and took part in team events such as decorating an Easter table. Guests which were present at the event judged which table was the best. The teams from Ryn and Lublin had wonderful ideas for their tables and both were awarded. The OSP Ladek-Zagorow Orchestra, directed by Elementary School 15 Principle Andrzej Grzeszczaka provided a pleasant atmosphere and are now a tradition at the event. Spectators came from as far as Holland, Luxembourg, Sweden and the United States.

This year’s Abilimpiada wasn’t lacking in sporting activities as well. Rafal Kucharski, a disabled “Mielnic Friend”, rode a 4-wheeled bike from Kalisza to Konin in four hours. He greeted, among others, Slawek Dul, a disabled marathoner who set a world record at last year’s games. Slawek wished Rafal good luck and success in completing his goals.

An additional attraction was a photography exhibit out of the DUCHA Fund, called “A photographic picture of natural rehabilitation at the DUCHA Fund” by Jolanta Zydolowicz. Participants and spectators could also marvel at displays of pottery, weaving, make-up artistry, paper marbling, and patchwork. On Sunday afternoon the Duet Dance Theatre performed Snow White. When the events were concluded, everyone was invited to Hotel Magda for a good-bye grill.

It is also interesting to note that the Swedish spectators who came to enjoy the games in Konin in 1999, were so impressed that they imported the event to Sweden. The III Swedish Abilimpiada already took place from April 24th-25th. Poland was represented by the Mielnic Therapy Center in Greater Mielnic. The UNITY-LINE company funded the trip. Polish participants took part in sculpture, cake decorating, driving tractors, and flower arrangement. They came away with one gold and four bronze metals.

The Konin Abilimpiada was made possible by many volunteers, companies, banks and funds, local and regional governments, as well as by private individuals. Employees of the Mielnic Fund prepared the organization website, all the competitions, contests and attractions.