Mexico. Population 106 million, a country where football is king, world ranking 17th.
In the southern city of Tepic they’re obsessed with
the sport.
It’s the most important thing in his life just playing soccer, he’s just playing soccer
and running and playing soccer and that’s his only thought in the day.
Basically he’s a very disciplined guy and his special ability is being able to get penalty
kicks and his will to make everything at 100%.
Pedro’s been playing football in the streets around his home for 25 years but it’s only
since joining Special Olympics that Pedro’s been part of a team and developed friendships.
Pedro’s team of Special Olympic athletes are local heroes and national title holders.
They are more than a soccer team, they are like a family because they take care of each
other and ask how their day was and why didn’t they come to practice and not only the soccer
team but the volleyball team and the basketball team they are like family, they’ve got this
relationship not only on the field but outside the field they eat together and watch a game
together and the coach says he will never ever leave this work.
He’s made a lot of friends and he likes it because everybody who knows him and supports
him and he likes to play soccer with many different friends.
Pedro lives in a one bedroom home with his aunt and uncle. They didn’t understand why
Pedro was slow at school and because he couldn’t keep up he never learnt to read or write.
His Aunt worried what would become of Pedro.
She was worried because she wanted Pedro to get more friends.
Few people with intellectual disabilities are diagnosed in this part of the country
and there’s little support.
What level of ignorance is there among parents who don’t realize what’s wrong with their
child?
This country is so ignorant about the different problems and health problems and it normally
happens when they have a kid like that the don’t have the services to go to therapy
or the doctor and normally the mum is only taking care of the kids, the dads normally
leave the house because they feel ashamed about having a kid like that and luckily she’s
saying now Mexico is starting to push more to give more information and try to help them.
Even though Pedro can’t read his family was determined to help him get a job. Pedro
wanted to learn to drive.
He wants to drive.
Was she worried when he learnt to drive?
Much.
His uncle backed him even though there were many anxious moments.
Pedro’s the proud owner of his own taxi.
Like so many people with intellectual disabilities Pedro’s proven his capable of many things.
What sort of difference did it make to Pedro’s life once he started getting involved in Special
Olympics?
Well his life changed with Special Olympics because he started to talk a lot more with
his family and friends and started to get more into talking more about him but he was
quiet and shy.
Pedro is the goalkeeper selected to play in the Unity Cup and as he prepares for the match
he’s taking that responsibility seriously.
It’s a lot of responsibility but he feels sure he can make it.