Winners of achievement competition for Disability Day
Participants in a “Fulcrum (Tochka Opory)” charity competition show off their limitless talents
29.12.2014
This competition was held from 3-28 December and timed to coincide with International Disability Day. In order to take part, entrants had to upload a photo or video highlighting their limitless talents on Vkontakte, or on Twitter, hashtags #limitless talents and Fulcrum. First prize, a trip on the Viking Line Ferry across Scandinavia (with a cabin for 4 people), was won by a 15- year old, Xenia Kaminski.
The undisputed winner with a score of 625 likes was no fluke. Despite having a wheelchair, Xenia, it seems, turned her hand successfully to swimming, horse riding and downhill skiing. Outside of sport, Xenia enjoys embroidery, needlework, weaving baubles, and even teaches these crafts in the Vkontakte group.
Xenia includes music and theatre in her list of hobbies. She appears in plays and, in future, wants to become a leader – to this end, she often visits youth television studios. Xenia attends a regular school, and is actively involved in voluntary work with her friends and classmates.
Xenia and her mother have created and developed an entire volunteer movement! Xenia enjoys an active and busy life, demonstrating that anything is possible, and we’re absolutely delighted that she’s won first prize in this competition.
We could let 2014 pass without mentioning two other entrants who finished 2nd and 3rd in the number of registered likes. They are both deserving people, and we’re pleased to send them consolation prizes, i.e. New Year’s gifts from Fulcrum. They are Ivan Bashinsky and Olga Ermilina. Ivan is a professional sportsman and trainer. He’s a weightlifter (for people with spinal cord injuries) and takes part in various competitions – he is also a husband and father of a wonderful little son. Olga Ermilina is head of an integrated theatrical group Hermes, which she set up in 2008. Within this group, drama is shared with and taught to disabled people. Hermes is a remarkable example of the adaptation and socialisation of disabled people and this is down to the efforts of just one person, Olga herself.
My thanks go to all those who took part for their photos and videos. Last but not least, my special thanks are extended to Viking Line for donating the first prize. We will shortly be in touch with the winners to arrange distribution of all prizes and gifts.
Author: Alexandra Fedorova
