Swimming lessons for disabled on special beach

Swimming lessons are offered for people with physical and mental disabilities on a special beach in Muğla's Bodrum district. Taking place in the district's Bitez neighborhood, swimming courses have around 50 disabled students from the Bodrum Health Foundation Rehabilitation Center along with their families. Students with disabilities are able to enjoy the sea with their parents while some students are guided by their teachers. Fatih Uzunlulu, the manager of the district's Youth Services and Sports Affairs, said swimming courses at accessible beaches were opened by the provincial and district public education directorates. Saying that both disabled students and their families entertain themselves during the courses, Uzunlulu added that students continue courses both at pools and in the sea. Stressing the importance of swimming for people with disabilities, he said: "Students with physical and mental disabilities have achieved great progress in socialization. We will continue courses without a break."

Swimming trainer Fatih Pehlivanoğlu also said disabled students are offered swimming courses for rehabilitation purposes, and underscored that trainers teach basic swimming techniques to students in the sea. "We normally hold courses in the pool, but we also try it in the sea. We train them because swimming is a very important rehabilitation technique for people with disabilities. Water is the best therapy for them. Children feel relaxed. Water gives them a chance to move and do something that makes them feel successful. We have received positive feedback and want to continue the courses," Pehlivanoğlu said.

İlknur Şengül, a counselor at Bodrum Health Foundation, said some students are swimming in the sea for the first time. "Our students get excited. The project was designed for the entire district. The beach is suitable for disabled people coming from different cities. It was properly designed for them," she said. Funda Karacan, a disabled student, said they are happy to spend time at the beach, adding that the staff treats them with special attention, pleasing their families.