«We were the first country in the world to eliminate separate classes between those with a disability and those without , why go back? It seems senseless to me." This is what multiple Paralympic champion Bebe Vio stated in an interview with Corriere della Sera, referring to General Roberto Vannacci's proposal to establish differentiated classes for disabled people .

«It seems paradoxical to me that one can even think of such a thing. We started inclusion at school, now someone is proposing to divide us again and take steps backwards culturally too", underlines the Paralympic athlete.

Bebe Vio also recalls the importance of support teachers , not only for those with disabilities: «I think of the many foreign minors. There were some in my classes too. Or that companion of mine who didn't understand Italian, because at home he only spoke in Venetian dialect, and someone was placed alongside him. Shall we divide them too? It's right that we get help."

Bebe Vio talks about her experience at school in a double role, before and after the illness: «It was very important to have my classmates close to me. There were some funny things too. When I was in the hospital I had the tests a little earlier than the others and I passed them. Now I can say it, the teachers won't be angry. In high school we helped each other. This is also how solidarity is discovered and implemented."

And to Vannacci who says he would never let a disabled person run the 100 meters with the world record holder, he gives the example of the long jumper Markus Rehm: «He has a leg amputee and for years he has been the best in the world, not only among the Paralympians, even among the Olympians. People with and without disabilities participate together in Wembrace Sport, the event organized by art4sport, my association."

(Unioneonline/vl)

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