A Day of Connections: Best Buddies in Dubrovnik
We left Dubrovnik excited, knowing we had our first day of multiple border crossings as we worked our way over to Kukes in Albania – via Bosnia Herzigovina, Montenegro and Kosovo. We also had a rather tricky #polesofinconvenience planned in Kosovo.
It started well, but a few hours in we hit a traffic jam on the mountainous roads of Montenegro. There had been an accident, perhaps 5 mins ahead of us, leading to fatalities and serious injuries – a sobering reminder of how even the smallest lapse in judgement or control can have dire consequences. We were stuck there for 4+ hours but the silver lining was the opportunity to engage with so many nationalities, learn about what drives them, share stories and in one case, even limited supply of water! Gave the Naina doll for the day with 4 year old Caroline from Orfu in Hungary – she just lit up, making me so happy!
Once the jam opened, it was straight to Kukes, dropping other plans for the day, or night by then! The city of Kukes was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for its exceptional hospitality and its compassion towards thousands of refugees during the Kosovo War.
In a city regarded so highly for its peace and welcoming spirit, I wanted to know if neurodivergent people experience the same sense of warmth and belonging. In the past, Kukes/Albania faced challenges in acknowledging and addressing the needs of individuals with IDDs. Stigma and limited understanding led to a lack of support systems and opportunities for PwIDDs. But over the years, Albania has witnessed a transformative shift in its approach, particularly post-1990. The integration of individuals with IDD into society and education has now become a focus, with changes in mental health legislation promoting care, rights, and social inclusion. Before the 1990s, data collection on IDDs was severely restricted while these conditions were viewed from a religious rather than a scientific one.
Sounds a bit like India, no? However, both countries have undergone significant changes in perception and policy too.The collective recognition of PwIDDs has grown, leading to more inclusive measures and support systems, though work remains to be done!