Swimming Course for Children with Down Syndrome in Ankara

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality implemented the swimming course project for children with down syndrome. Eight children will receive training for 8 months with swimming and special education teachers at the “Swimming Course for Children with Down Syndrome” held at the Kuşcagiz Family Life Center.

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality continues its projects without slowing down in order to include disadvantaged groups in social life and make their lives easier.

The Department of Women's and Family Services launched the “Swimming Course for Children with Down Syndrome” free of charge at the Kuşcagiz Family Life Center.

In the company of one-to-one swimming instructors and special education teachers, 8 children with Down syndrome were given swimming training in groups of four for 3 months. Families who want to send their children to swimming courses should come to the Kuşcagiz Family Life Center and apply in person.

APPLICATIONS TO THE COURSES WILL CONTINUE

In line with the demands from the citizens, Selma Koç Ünal, General Coordinator of the ABB Women and Family Services Department Kuşcagiz Family Life Center, said, “We started a swimming course for our children with down syndrome in line with the demands of the citizens. Together with one-on-one swimming instructors and special education teachers, our children started to learn swimming. The first lessons have started and 8 of our students are currently studying. We will continue to receive applications for our courses,” said Fatma Eser, Special Education Teacher at the Department of Women and Family Services, Kuşcağız Family Life Center:

“We are very happy to start our swimming lessons today. Because learning to swim in special education is not just learning to swim. The most important thing for us, the biggest need of these children is to gain a great confidence in themselves. Swimming brought it along. Maybe it will lead to the discovery of great talents. We are very happy that our children participate in such activities.”

THANKS FROM THE FAMILY TO THE METROPOLITAN

Families who came to the swimming course with their children expressed their satisfaction with the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality's initiation of the swimming course by evaluating the demands with the following words:

Canan Hanci: “I called all the pools belonging to the municipalities and got a negative answer from all of them. There was a swimming course opened for the hearing impaired in the past few days. I also wrote a comment under the post on social media and requested a pool for my child with down syndrome. On the same day, I was contacted and the swimming course was opened. The Metropolitan Municipality did not remain indifferent to my request. It was a pleasure to get back to me. It is also a joy for us that it is free. Responding to even a small comment made us feel privileged. I am very grateful to the Metropolitan Municipality.”

Ünzile Demirbilek: “My child loves to swim. As a child with special needs, we desperately need such courses and activities. Being free is a big advantage for us. I bring my child here, he is having fun and learning to swim. We are also very pleased that these opportunities are provided for special children.”