Familias
Today I had the pleasure of participating, alongside Carlos Nieto, father of the Disfrutar el Mar Association, in an interview conducted by Lucía Pombo for Cadena SER.
The experience was truly enjoyable thanks to Lucía’s professionalism, warmth, and kindness, which made us feel comfortable and heard at all times. During the conversation, we were able to share the story of the Association, how this project began 15 years ago, and how it has grown and evolved. But above all, I wanted to highlight a reality that has been with us from the start: the enormous gap that still exists for children and young people with developmental challenges to have real access to leisure and sports activities, such as surf lessons.
The Reality Today: More Demand Than Spaces
More and more families are interested in having their children participate in Disfrutar el Mar’s summer activities. However, the number of available spots remains insufficient, and the situation has only worsened over the years. Despite our efforts and commitment, as an Association we have reached our limit in being able to guarantee high-quality classes where children can fully enjoy themselves and feel safe.
We are not looking to grow as an organization, but rather we believe it is essential that many more inclusive and accessible initiatives exist in society, so that all children—regardless of their challenges—can enjoy leisure and sports together.
A Message Beyond Our Association
Thanks to Lucía’s excellent work during the interview, we felt our message came through clearly: beyond being a model as an Association, we aspire to be the voice of so many families who fight every day for their children to have their rightful place in the community and enjoy the same rights as everyone else.
One of the main reasons we founded Disfrutar el Mar was precisely the lack of recreational and sports activities open to children with all kinds of needs. It’s painful to admit that, after 15 years, the situation has barely improved—and in some ways, has even regressed. Currently, with more children left without a spot than those who can participate, we prioritize those who need individualized attention to ensure their inclusion, as they have few alternatives. In exceptional cases, we share groups, but we would love for these groups to be more open to all children, whether or not they have developmental challenges.
Looking Ahead: Full Accessibility
Our greatest wish is for the day to come when a specific Association is no longer needed to guarantee access to leisure and sports. I imagine a future where every child and young person, just as they are, finds their place in any activity and in any social space.
We will continue working to build a truly diverse and accessible society for all. Thank you, from the heart, to Cadena SER for giving us this space, and to all the families and professionals for their trust and support. Hopefully, soon we won’t be talking about limitations, but about open doors for all children. That is the society we want to build.