After four years unable to enter the sea, José Rocha experienced the moment again during a visit to João Pessoa, in Paraíba. The tourist, who is from Manaus, Amazonas, took part for the first time in a free project that enables people with physical disabilities to enjoy the beach and sea. The experience left him visibly emotional.
Rocha has Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks peripheral nerves and can cause muscle weakness or paralysis. He has used a wheelchair for four years and currently undergoes physiotherapy and hydrotherapy to recover movement, although he says the process has been slow.
“I was affected by Guillain-Barré syndrome and have been in a wheelchair for four years. At the moment, I do physiotherapy and hydrotherapy, but the recovery process is very slow,” he said. Rocha added that, although he had seen the sea before, he only managed to enter it again after four years because of the autoimmune disease.
The trip was also Rocha’s first visit to João Pessoa. He learned about the social initiative through social media and decided to join the activity. After returning to the water, he said the project encouraged people with physical disabilities to connect with nature, value themselves and avoid social exclusion.
“It was the first time I took part in the project and also the first time I went to João Pessoa. I was very happy, very, very moved to have entered the sea,” Rocha said.
The project has operated free of charge for 14 years and takes place every Saturday. Its coordinator, Genilson Lima, is also a wheelchair user. He became tetraplegic after diving into a swimming pool and later recovered part of his movement.
Because he understands the challenges of living with a physical disability, Lima said he is also moved when he sees other participants enter the sea. He said the project operates in all weather and seasons, with volunteers and relatives often joining participants to share the experience.
Sources: G1.