In the weeks following their first encounter, Iris and Nevena spent every moment together. Slowly but surely, they uncovered each other's unique traits and hidden sides.
There was no turning back at that point; they had already started to consider each other sisters. Both were incredibly excited about the inclusion festival. When the day arrived, the vibrant colors from the spotlights were the first thing they noticed as they parked their car near the park in Kisela Voda.
‘We’re here!’ Iris exclaimed with enthusiasm.
“Look at how they have planned this, it’s really interesting. Outdoors, in nature, it’s quite nice,” Nevena said, her gaze fixed on the entrance to the park.
“Let’s go. Grab the wheelchair from behind and help me set it up. Pull the thread first to open it and then put on
the wheels.”
Iris took the wheelchair and followed her directions precisely. She managed to assemble it, and they headed towards the park.
The stage was set, and they spotted several girls getting ready for a performance. The sounds of music they liked filled the air - Macedonian songs from the early 2000s.
,,Let’s take a look around, and then we’ll find a spot in front of the stage to watch the performance, alright?”
They strolled towards the stand with a variety of goods, where two girls warmly greeted them.
“Check out these bracelets,” Iris suggested. “Would you like us to get one each?” Iris picked a pink one, and Nevena chose yellow.
As they slipped them onto their wrists, a mother passed by, pushing her son’s wheelchair, with another little girl standing beside her.
"Look, mom, the girl has a wheelchair just like mine," said the boy, his eyes fixed on Nevena, carefully examining the red line along the edges of the wheels.
“Hello,” Nevena greeted with a warm smile. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Davor,” he replied, a bit embarassed.
“I’m Nevena, and this is my friend Iris,” she introduced them, still smiling.
“Since when have you had a wheelchair?” Davor inquired, with clear curiosity to learn more about something that is familiar to him.
“For several years now. I really like the wheels on yours. Was it you that wanted a picture of Superman on the frame? It looks great. Good choice!”
The little girl standing beside her mother came forward and hugged Nevena tightly.
“I’m Lina. You have really pretty hair. You can wear it on the side like I do,” she said, playing with Nevena’s hair.
Iris observed from the side, overcome with tenderness.
“I’m going to grab some drinks, okay?”
As she waited for their drinks, her eyes were drawn to a display of photographs on her left – “Meetings and Acceptances.”
She noticed a young child asked his mother if the people in the pictures were sick or contagious.
"No, sweetheart. They are neither sick nor contagious. They just have different needs. That doesn't make them any less than us, nor does it mean we should avoid them. Everyone deserves love and acceptance, don't you think? Look here, can you see how happy the girl is?"
The mother spoke with such grace that her voice could melt even the toughest of hearts. The picture depicted a girl with Down Syndrome singing and performing on stage. “Isn’t it just a wonderful feeling when we see someone smile? Everyone’s life is a pile of both good and bad. While the good may not always erase or soften the bad, it’s important not to let the bad spoil the meaning and value of the good.”
The child gazed intently at the picture.
“Mom, let’s go, I want to buy a t-shirt to show my friends at school where we were today. I want to tell them about the pots we made with the children who know sign language. I want to learn it too.”
Iris discreetly overheard the conversation and couldn’t help but smile, once again realizing the power of open communication and the spoken word. She started thinking about all the possible outcomes of this conversation.
What if that child's mother avoided the questions and said, "Hush, you shouldn’t look interested nor ask any questions"? That child would have a very different perspective on people with disabilities.
She recalled all those times when she had similar conversations with her parents, back when all of this was still unfamiliar and distant. How beautiful it is, she thought – something extraordinary can be unearthed in the unknown. It’s in the unknown that you truly discover yourself.
As she started heading back, she was certain that what she was witnessing would be engraved in her memory forever.
There was little Lina, on Nevena’s lap, twirling in circles together in the wheelchair and moving to the music. “Ah, the harmony that can exist in unity,” she thought to herself. Iris could already feel the rush of emotions stirred by everything around her.
The show had barely begun, yet Nevena and Iris eagerly approached the stage to witness the inclusive performance that awaited. They watched three girls with cerebral palsy performing alongside experienced dancers. The way the girls interacted, delivering monologues, evoking emotions, and culminating it all into one seamless performance was truly captivating.
At that moment, as they danced together in perfect harmony, their hearts entwined in a dance of pure joy, it was as if the barriers that once stood between them melted away, revealing only the beautiful truth of our shared humanity. In reality, those barriers that seemed to separate them didn't exist at all.
It was a transformative experience for both of them. One that transported them beyond this world. With tears glistening in their eyes, they gazed at each other, comprehending all that was conveyed without the need for a single word.
Their hands intertwined in a way that defined love in every sense of the word.
They shared a subtle smile and closed their eyes, hoping to etch this moment in their hearts forever.
After a few minutes, Iris glanced down at the flyer in her hand and was certain that what she read was no coincidence. ,,Look at this. The NGO is looking for volunteers for future projects. Young people who want to make positive changes. Nevena, can you believe our luck? How is this even possible?!"
,,You know, Iris, there are no coincidences. Everything happens for a reason, even if we can’t grasp it just yet. The day will come when it all makes sense, from beginning to end. Just be patient and trust your instincts.
We all change and grow throughout our lives, and that’s completely normal. We should keep evolving and changing, as long as we remember all the people we once were. Right?
Now, let’s go talk to the organizer.”
Георгина Коминовска
Автор на блог - серијалот „Шарени различности“
