Epano Elounda, 27th August,
I was born in Thessaloniki, and live there for most of the year. But ever since I first set foot in Epano Elounda, a small village in Crete, my heart has belonged there, and I’ve made it my second home.
I care deeply for Epano Elounda, and whenever I’m there —for several months each year— I’m eager to participate in initiatives to improve village life. This year, I proposed an idea: to raise funds for two swings designed for children with disabilities.
When I shared the idea with friends in the village, they were thrilled. Their support was wholehearted.
The idea for the swings came from a personal place. My best friend’s daughter in Thessaloniki lived with a severe disability. She was unable to do most of the things other children could. Her illness was hell, and the Greek state only added fuel to the fire. She passed away at 23 —never having experienced the simple joy of swinging.
In Greece, there is hardly any provision for people with special needs. Infrastructure is practically nonexistent. These individuals often can’t even get around —how could they, when, for example, pavements lack ramps and are so poorly maintained that they pose a risk even to able-bodied pedestrians?
For children with disabilities, the situation is even harsher. Their right to play is rarely acknowledged. Public playgrounds don’t include appropriate equipment. There are a tiny handful exclusively for disabled children— but this just cements their societal exclusion.
A friend, who’s an engineer, and I, did some thorough research to find the best swings available. These swings have to be built according to specific standards. They are spacious and equipped with safety straps that eliminate the risk of falling, even for children with severe disabilities. The ones we chose were red.
The cost was not small —2500 euros— but we raised the funds, thanks to contributions from residents and friends of the village. Some could afford more; others gave from what little they had. It wasn’t charity, it was justice. These swings should not be a luxury, they should be everywhere.
We received no support from the local authorities. But we were determined. Nothing would stop us. And we managed to buy the swings!
We decided to install them in a small clearing where a playground once stood, now abandoned. We cleared it of weeds and rubbish, leveled the ground, and pruned and revived the beautiful old olive tree in the center. We repaired the wooden fence and painted it in cheerful colours.
Then the swings arrived —and we threw a huge feast to celebrate! We organised activities for children and invited speakers who understand disability firsthand. A couple who run a local taverna volunteered to provide food on their day off, and other volunteers brought homemade dishes. Of course, there was music and dancing with musicians from Epano Elounda!
The first time Maria, a 12-year-old disabled girl from the village, sat on this beautiful red swing, it was deeply moving. Her joy at finally being able to swing by herself was indescribable. She couldn’t stop laughing —a sound that soothed her mother’s heart, who had only ever seen her child pushed to the margins.
From that day on, it was as if the village’s heart started beating again. All the children, disabled and non-disabled, now play together. Children, after all, always find a way if we adults create the right conditions.
Maria’s parents and grandparents now bring her to the playground regularly. They can finally relax on a bench, enjoy their coffee and connect with other parents, knowing that she’s safe and included.
Interestingly, the municipal authorities, who had previously ignored us, now seem to have changed their tune. They recently announced a proposal to include at least one accessible play feature in every playground in the Municipality of Agios Nikolaos (where Elounda belongs) by September.
I feel such joy. If this promise is kept, it will mean that a small handful of people have managed to shift the tides of inclusion in Crete —and perhaps spark change across all of Greece. I only wish my friend’s daughter had been able to enjoy a swing like this.
