Include Me

In a Game in the World called “Include-me”, created in the Landmark Education Team Management Leadership Program, Lucía Grajales of Team Mexico invents the possibility of Integration, Acceptance, Generosity and Love such that through raising awareness, young people with disabilities will be provided with an independent life and the ability to integrate naturally with the society they belong with dignity and value. What this looks like is, 500 families are impacted in Communion and Peace of Mind when 200 young adults with disabilities are integrated in society in a natural way so that they: eat healthily; have adequate medical assistances; are emotionally contented; are able to achieve assets in any discipline; have recognition in whatever they do; have full self-esteem and Love themselves.

Lucia, an architect in the city of Mexico, humbly explains that this is not her project; it is the project of a parent she had a conversation with. She explains in her own words:

Talking to a parent concerned about the future of his daughter, who has a disability, he points out that, there are 3,000 since she was born. This aroused the idea for him to create and design a project of departments where these young people can grow independently and safely with the intention of offering peace and tranquility for the many families who have disabled relatives thus ensuring an economical and emotional balanced future.

Today it is a fact that children with disabilities have health care centers and institutions where they are rehabilitated and prepared for a better future, but that is not enough. These young people already have long life and deserve to continue growing, experiencing and living life as they can live.

Over time, we realized that beyond what we think about disabilities, this community is considered different, which is an underestimation of those who know nothing about it. We found that the term “disability” is sometimes not well used because it implies that someone cannot do something, when in fact, what it really is, is just that sometimes it costs them more to do differently.

After talking with more than 200 parents who have family members with disabilities, I came to the conclusion that Mexico is ready for its first big break, so considering that this community should be included in society we have decided to do something about it by raising the awareness, providing an independent life these disabled people will integrate naturally into the society they belong.

Let’s look at some examples.  In Spain and the United States, disability has occurred for more than 15 years, yet the culture is not ready.  No one dare to talk about it, so many families listen what is possible and see themselves with the same concerns. This community with disabilities, live in their homes starved of contact, apart from their family and few friends.  

In this project called VIA, Villas for Independent living and Assistance, we want this community to find a warm and safe environment that allows them to live happily and integrated with society, assisted and supported by family and friends to unfold the potential of building and promoting their qualities.

Today, we see that Mexico has an option, so this parent created a team for this project so that this community can have a better future.

It is a bigger project that was organized in several Teams/ Committees:

• Management
• Administrative and Sales
• Operations
• Quality of life, and
• Property.

I am the Program Manager of the Project, so I create an Architectural Design with all the norms of accessibility by sustainability and combining current technology.

What this looks like is: I create a team of architects, designers and specialists.  We develop an architectural blueprint, plants, walls, cuts, prospects and renderings for maximum appreciation and understanding, that meets the needs of a well-studied plan taking into consideration kindness to the environment and sustainable savings in electrical energy costs, capturing storm water for  re-use, etc.

My team is standing by the possibility that this project has a powerful, architectural draft for private and government institutions to see what is possible and inspire business leaders to take part with sponsorship and donations.

Give dignity, value, integration and acceptance within this community.

Lucia, is an architect in the city of Mexico, she humbly explains that this is not her project, it is the project of a parent she had a conversation with, she explains:

Talking to a parent concerned about the future of his daughter, who has a disability, he points out that, there are 3,000 since she was born. This aroused the idea for him to create and design a project of departments where these young people can grow independently and safely with the intention of offering peace and tranquility for the many families who have disabled relatives thus ensuring an economical and emotional balanced future.

Today it is a fact that children with disabilities have health care centers and institutions where they are rehabilitated and prepared for a better future, but that is not enough. These young people already have long life and deserve to continue growing, experiencing and living life as they can live.

Over time, we realized that beyond what we think about disabilities, this community is considered different, which is an underestimation of those who know nothing about it. We found that the term “disability” is sometimes not well used because it implies that someone cannot do something, when in fact, what it really is, is just that sometimes it costs them more to do differently.

After talking with more than 200 parents who have family members with disabilities, I came to the conclusion that Mexico is ready for its first big break, so considering that this community should be included in society we have decided to do something about it by raising the awareness, providing an independent life these disabled people will integrate naturally into the society they belong.

Let’s look at some examples.  In Spain and the United States, disability has occurred for more than 15 years, yet the culture is not ready.  No one dare to talk about it, so many families listen what is possible and see themselves with the same concerns. This community with disabilities, live in their homes starved of contact, apart from their family and few friends.  

In this project called VIA, Villas for Independent living and Assistance, we want this community to find a warm and safe environment that allows them to live happily and integrated with society, assisted and supported by family and friends to unfold the potential of building and promoting their qualities.

Today, we see that Mexico has an option, so this parent created a team for this project so that this community can have a better future.

It is a bigger project that was organized in several Teams/ Committees:

• Management
• Administrative and Sales
• Operations
• Quality of life, and
• Property.

I am the Program Manager of the Project, so I create an Architectural Design with all the norms of accessibility by sustainability and combining current technology.

What this looks like is: I create a team of architects, designers and specialists.  We develop an architectural blueprint, plants, walls, cuts, prospects and renderings for maximum appreciation and understanding, that meets the needs of a well-studied plan taking into consideration kindness to the environment and sustainable savings in electrical energy costs, capturing storm water for  re-use, etc.

My team is standing by the possibility that this project has a powerful, architectural draft for private and government institutions to see what is possible and inspire business leaders to take part with sponsorship and donations.

Give dignity, value, integration and acceptance within this community.

Written by Belinda Cogburn and edited by MariMar Covarrubias.