It was a very difficult time for the family, which included getting to know the disease, many examinations and tests, long weeks and months spent in hospitals... Despite everything, they coped and had a good time. This was also helped by the Notranjska Association for Cerebral Palsy, which the family joined about a year after the girl's birth. They attended summer and winter colonies, where Andrej learned to swim and ski. Sports teachers and physiotherapists were always present to help with the activities.
"We always had a good time, helping each other, dividing up tasks and doing activities together. That way, my sister could be involved in the normal, everyday activities."
After his sister's death, Andrej became somewhat distant from the Society.
"It was hard. I lost my father in the same year. I just didn't have the time to keep going because I had so many things to do at home."
A few years later, the association re-established contact with him, inviting him as a volunteer companion for people with cerebral palsy on a therapeutic skiing trip. Naturally, he was happy to accept the invitation and went on his first skiing trip to Rogla with the Gorenjska Association for Cerebral Palsy, as he had moved to Gorenjska at that time. It was there that he was first introduced to the skiing aid biscuitswhich resembles a kind of sledge in which the person being cared for sits, while being securely strapped to the skier/driver.
Why did you decide to work with the Association again, even though you are not paid to do so?
"Once you get to know so many people with cerebral palsy, it becomes clear that these are completely normal, extremely warm-hearted people with an incredible will to live. Some of the more severely affected need more help and need a bit more attention, but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve to be with us on a winter ski holiday because of their disability. It means a lot to them if we treat them in the same way as able-bodied people. I volunteer because it means a lot to me, it reminds me of my sister; and I enjoy skiing and helping nice people."
In recent years, due to lack of time and a demanding job, he has not been able to go skiing in Kranjska Gora for four to five days, but a few times a season he arranges with individuals to go on a one-day skiing experience together, usually to Rogla.
"Seeing the smiles on their faces when you give them the chance to go down a long snowy slope is priceless."
Nuša Želko, 7. 3. 2025
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