“When you have the responsibilities of a politician, you can do amazing things and show that Bulgaria is a place where people do have equal rights. In other times such people were called heroes.” That was how dr. Diana Indzhova, President of the Psychology Research Centre gave to eng. Petar Zlatanov the price “There is no Difference”. The Centre is a nationally represented organization of disabled people, which have honored for seventh year in a row those persons, who have contributed for such people’s cause. This year the prize came to the town of Pomorie as a symbol of disabled people’s true gratefulness for the municipality’s tolerance towards them, as well as their integration’s support. The rehabilitation centre “St. George”, also oriented towards such support, is situated in Pomorie too. For a few years now there have been workshops for disabled artists and athletics competitions under the auspices of the “Power for Life” foundation. Besides that the municipality constantly creates an accessible urban environment for them.
“Of course we haven’t done it all for disabled people, but we have a permanent policy that we follow step by step” - Pomorie’s mayor Petar Zlatanov said in an interview for Radio Bulgaria. “I guess that was the reason for the Psychology Research Centre’s representatives to appreciate in such manner the municipality’s efforts” he explained and said:
“The disabled artists’ workshop has taken place for a sixth year now. It is called “The World is A Sea” and we open it every year in the beginning of June. People from all over the world participate usually, there are also children. A couple of years ago we even had guests from Brazil. This is only a part of what we do in that sphere and we would like people in Bulgaria and around the world to see that we treat disabled people in a responsible and civilized manner.”
Pomorie’s geographical position itself seems to ease that special attitude towards disabled people. For centuries people with different health problems find relief in the famous Pomorian mud:
“We cannot deny that Pomorie is a relatively flat town and urban environment’s accessibility is easier to be assured. The second favorable circumstance is tourism – the sea and mud healing, too. But people’s attitude is what is essential – and in Pomorie it is the right one. Our fellow citizens do accept our cares for disabled persons and we can achieve our goals confidently.”
Petar Zlatanov says that there are many more things to be done so that disabled people to be able to reach smoothly the other end of the street:
“Everyone wants to be healthy, but you don’t know what life has prepared for you. We, healthy and responsible people in charge often remain in debt towards disabled people. That is why they should be present in our plans, in our budgets, so that we can take care of their needs and help them feel complete persons. There are many smart and talented people among them. They are just like us even many of them excel us. They are extremely courageous.”
Municipality of Pomorie cooperates with the “Power for Life” foundation along with specialists from The National Rehabilitation Centre “St. George” in care for disabled people. “Our closest goals are to find the money that can make accessible not less than three buildings – The Regional History Museum, the “Holy Mother” church in the centre of the town, as well as an administrative building” - Pomorie mayor explains. “We also plan to continue with broadening the pedestrian zone downtown. It will allow disabled people to participate more actively in social life. We hope to find the necessary money in the course of this year.”
English translation: Zhivko Stanchev
