We want people with physical disabilities such as wheelchair users to enjoy swimming in the sea for just one day. An event called "Barrier-free Beach" was held at a beach in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture, where participants and their families enjoyed the summer sea.
This event was held on July 7 by an executive committee made up of medical and welfare professionals in Kamakura City at the local Yuigahama Beach for one day only.
It started in 30, and there were years when it was canceled due to typhoons and the corona disaster, so this is the fifth time.
At the venue, which was set up in a corner of the sandy beach, wheelchair-accessible seats were laid out, and six wheelchairs were prepared with floating devices that could enter the sea.
On this day, 2015 groups participated, including wheelchair users and their families.
Approximately 5 volunteer supporters, including medical and welfare professionals, participated in the event to ensure that the participants could enjoy themselves safely.
One of the participants, Masatoshi Murakoshi (1), who lives in the neighborhood, suffered a stroke eight years ago and was forced to live in a wheelchair.
The beach in Kamakura City is a memorable place that my grandchildren have visited many times since they were still young, and this is the third time they have participated in the event.
With the help of my two grandchildren, who are now adults, and a caregiver, I enjoyed going into the sea in a special wheelchair.
Mr. Murakoshi said, "I am grateful that I can swim in the sea with support.
This event was the brainchild of local practitioner Taro Sakai, who chairs the executive committee.
When I made a house call to a patient who used a wheelchair, I heard that he had given up swimming in the sea, which he loved.
It is said that they have been working to enhance their support system by observing similar initiatives in Okinawa Prefecture and obtaining cooperation from the prefecture and city.
Mr. Sakai said, "The preparation is really hard, but I am grateful that so many volunteers came today."
Some of the participants said it was the first time for them to come to the beach with their family of four.
This is the Hirokawa family living in Fujisawa City.
My daughter Ruri (4) has cerebral palsy and needs medical care such as aspiration in her daily life.
Her mother, Mao, decided to participate because she wanted them to have "various experiences" in such a life.
The fact that my doctor and nurse also participated and received generous support was also a major reason.
Ruri experienced swimming for the first time by touching seawater and sand at the edge of the waves, and entering the sea with her mother in a special wheelchair.
Ms. Mao said, "We were worried about it on our own, but we were able to enjoy it with peace of mind because the doctors and nurses were there.
Mr. Sakai, the chairperson of the committee, said, "I am really glad that I did it when I saw the smiles of the participants, and I think we must do it again next year so that everyone can enjoy swimming at any time."