Czech Republic
Pod Lipami Home in Smečno
Pod Lipami Home is social care institution established by local government - Central Bohemian Region. It is placed in historicaly very valued building. There are 89 people with learning difficulties and multiple disabilities who are living here. The management of the institution decided on the base of founder´s support to transform institution into community social services so people with disabilities could start to live in the community. At this moment there are 16 people who could left the institution.
Mirek
A story of a young man on his way to independent life. Mirek lived in a social care institutions for most of his life. Now, aged 35, with a support of field social service, he is gaining skills needed for a full-fledged life within a society.
Drahuska
Drahuška is 38 and she lived in an institution for ten years. Nowadays she has been living in Zahrada in Kladno (social service provider) for 11 years. Before this, she spent ten years in an institution which was 20 km away from the nearest town. When she came to Kladno it became clear that she was independent enough and institution environment was not suitable for her. Therefore, she was involved in an internal socialization programme and later even started work where she has fulfilled her tasks to everybody’s satisfaction. Since April 2008 she has been living in a sheltered living facility with her boyfriend and she is very independent in managing her new housework duties. They lead a normal life like any other couple. She is happy and it is obvious that soon she and her boyfriend will be capable of living completely independently.
Josef
Josef Loužil lived in a “social care“ institution since his 12 years of age. He was labelled uneducable and deprived of legal capacity. At his 45 years of age he decide to change his life and he was among the first clients of the Bellevue facility who left for sheltered living. Now he is living in a house in Slaný, has been working in the Slaný hospital for 2 years, has a dog and a girlfriend, Ivanka. They are planning to live together in a one-rrom flat provided by the supported living service. This film describes his journey to independence and a fulfilling life.
Honza
A short documentary about Honza illustrates the issue of returning legal capacity to citizens of the Czech Republic. After leaving the “institution care“ Honza has been living and working independently. He takes part in normal life activities like other people while striving to have his full legal capacity returned. The film is an example of good practice a proof of ability of people with disabilities to find and keep work on the free labour market.
Bozena Maresova
Božena Marešová got The Milan Cháb Award in 2006. The award is named after Milan Cháb, an outstanding campaigner for equal rights and emancipation of people with disabilities. The award is given to people who – through their activities and personal approach – contribute to social inclusion. According to the Law No. 108/2006 on Social Services, social inclusion is a process “securing that socially excluded people or people endangered by such exclusion achieve options and possibilities which help them to become fully involved into economic, social and cultural life of society and thus live a life that is considered common in this society.“ Thus, the award also wants to thank people for their activities while informing the public of examples of good practice in this field. Božena Marešová was awarded the first prize for becoming a wonderful mother to Monika, a girl previously placed in a social care institution.
Marketa (Liberec)
The story of Miss Markéta, who’s now been living in sheltered living of the Dolmen organization for almost a year, is evidence that it is possible even for a person with mental disability, who for many years lived in an “institution care“ facility, to live in common society like the rest of us. It is up to us only, what kind of support we give such people on their way to reach their goals.
Marketa (Horní Poustevna)
From birth until her 19 years of age Markéta used to live in an institution. She needed almost full support in all aspects and activities of her life. Everything she knows now she has learned after moving into a flat in a common block of flats where she could experience close human relations. For 8 years now she has been showing us that it is the life among us and with us that helps her to be more skilled and useful.
