Summer is a great time to travel and explore new places. Unfortunately, traveling is not always possible for people with neuromuscular disorders in Bulgaria. The reason for this is because of the inaccessible environment and difficult access to many touristic places. In the last few years thanks to different voluntary organizations like the association “Ela i Ti” (“Come and you”), traveling and visiting inaccessible places become possible for people with NMD. One of the latest exciting trips, which was organized by the association was in the cave “Bacho Kiro” in Dryanovo – Bulgarian city, situated in the Gabrovo Province.

Ms. Gergana Doychinova, founder of the voluntary organization “Ela i Ti” (“Come and you”), organized a visit to the cave “Bacho Kiro” for 15 people with neuromuscular disorders and other physical impairments. The main purpose was to provide an opportunity for people with NMD to visit a place, which is not accessible and impossible to reach in other circumstances. In this way they were able to go beyond the borders of their abilities and to feel the unique atmosphere of one of the most beautiful caves in Bulgaria. This incredible journey was funded by the project “Social Innovations”, established by Sofia Municipality. This visits was possible thanks to the support of many volunteers from the “Mountain rescue” team from Pazardzik Province and “Cave rescue” team as well as many other volunteers across the state. One of the main aims of Gergana and “Ela i Ti” (“Come and you”) is to create united network of support and cooperation between volunteers, who have the abilities to help people with neuromuscular disorders to reach inaccessible places. This happened during the visit to the cave “Bacho Kiro”. People with NMD were able to see the incredible species of animal population and to take a closer look to the amazing cave’s formations. This joyful experience was shared with the volunteers, who helped them to go beyond the borders of their physical abilities.

Ms. Gergana Doychinova shared the following for this unique experience: “The main purpose of this event is not only to show to people with NMD places, which is difficult to reach in other way, but to make them to feel part of a network of support, establishing new friendships. They are creating new friends and they are sharing their unique experience with other people.”. This helps to increase the adventurous spirit and to make people living with NMD to believe that everything is possible. This positive life perspective is helping people to feel part of a group of supporters and to believe in their dreams. The next stop for this incredible team of dreamers is Prohodna cave, which is famous for the nickname “The eyes of God”. Visiting such amazing places, people with neuromuscular disorders feel included in the society and they are happy to share their wonderful experience with other people. This kind of visits proves the facts that we are valuable members of the community and we deserve to live in a non-biased society, cooperating with supporters, like the volunteers from “Ela i Ti” (“Come and you”).