What Next?
In Haiti…
“London is just the start of the program being put into place, we now have a dream of establishing a network of coaches who are capable of making sure that sport is one of the key ways in which this disaster can become a success story for the many disabled people living within Haiti.”
The team's athletics coach
The coach has found sport to be an incredible tool for challenging stigma within Haiti, and for empowering persons with disabilities. His experience in Mexico has provided the foundation for a momentous campaign in Haiti. This has included Jean being identified and chosen by the UN’s Community Violence Reduction team as ‘the face’ of Cap‐Haitien (Haiti’s second largest city.) The handcycling team also spoke to over 3000 children at Haiti’s UN National Children’s Day.
Rather than persons with disabilities being socially excluded, Jean is helping to lead a movement of change. This has included leading the 2011 UN Peace Marathon in Cap‐Haitien, talking at public events, challenging the population on Haitian television and developing plans with the Mayors office.
Further more, a special documentary is being made, following Jean’s story and NPC Haiti. Being produced by two of the UK’s leading production companies, ‘The Dream’ documentary will be translated and transported by a mobile cinema team to all ten of Haiti’s departments, with a Community Based Rehabilitation Team. We are also seeking for it to be shown on Haitian National Television.
In partnership with the Haitian NPC, ‘The Dream’ is also seeking to fund the rights for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, so that NPC Haiti’s activities in London can be viewed on national Haitian television.
The world…
Jean’s story and heart for handcycling has already featured on national and international media. In 2012, several of these outlets will continue featuring his progress and ‘The Dream’, as a way to inspire international change in the perception of disability.
This will include ‘The Dream’ documentary featuring Jean, being translated into multiple languages and offered (if agreed by the IPC) as a tool for NPC’s in the developing world, to challenge stigma and inspire athletes internationally. In addition it is likely to be shown at international film festivals.
“I’ve had the privilege of meeting Jean and believe he represents the truest of Olympic ideals: courage and determination. He also has a brave vision – to transform a nation’s cruel view of disability. ITV travelled a long way to interview him – but his incredible story simply had to be told. I hope his dream becomes a reality. Seeing him competing at London 2012 would not only be an inspiration for Haiti – but for the entire world.”
ITV Sports Correspondent
A campaign in the UK, using Jean’s example of what can be achieved in the developing world has also been founded, calling upon greater funding for rehabilitation and disability sport in UK foreign aid policy.
In sport
“The an international sports federation have partnered with ‘The Dream’, having recognised not only their immediate passion, but more importantly their long term commitment, dedication and energy in the development of disability sport in Haiti. Excited by the balance between grass root sport, and a vision for a competitive infrastructure, the the federation are looking forward to developing this partnership, and supporting the great potential of this initiative.”
The Wheelchair Tennis Manager
Aside from the development of infrastructure, ‘The Dream’ has established a significant number of long-term opportunities for the development of disability sport in Haiti with NPC Haiti. This has included partnering with the federation in the development of wheelchair tennis, providing training camps for handcyclists at Nottwil, Switzerland, sourcing professional equipment and developing long-term training schemes. This has already seen Haiti’s first handcycling team formed, which has generated national and international interest, including funding for the Parapan Games.
