Instituto Remo Meu Rumo offers inclusion and physical rehabilitation through sport

0The Instituto Remo Meu Rumo (Remo Meu Rumo Institute) emerged in 2013 with one purpose: to physically, emotionally and socially rehabilitate children and adolescents with physical or intellectual disabilities. To this end, it offers completely free canoeing and adapted rowing classes on the Olympic lane at the Universidade de São Paulo – USP (University of São Paulo). 

Ricardo Macéa, founder and executive director of the project, explains that the idea was to get them out of medical centres, as care is normally painful, with many surgeries and treatments. 

Over the course of 10 years, more than 800 children and adolescents, aged between six and 22, have passed through the organization. Around 80% have a physical disability, autism or Down syndrome. “We also have students without disabilities, as it is important for them to have this dialogue”, explains Ricardo. 

“This is a very physically demanding sport, but for children, we do it playfully, so that they can make gains”, he adds. 

Thus, before the students enter the water, there is a training process: the technical gestures are done on a school boat (a covered tank in the USP lane), in addition to exercises on the rowing ergometer device, to strengthen the muscles of the arms.

“The activities begin on land so that, with conditioning and evolution, according to the teachers’ plans, they can go into the water. When they are there, there is a complete security protocol, with a boat alongside and everyone wearing a vest.” 

Ricardo adds that water sport gives autonomy. “For example, for a wheelchair user, sitting on a boat and sliding through the arms is a mental and emotional change, as well as providing a feeling of freedom.” 

Around 60% of Remo Meu Rumo students come from the Unified Health System (SUS). Also, the project has partnerships with three health centres: the Instituto de Ortopedia e Traumatologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo – IOT (Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo), the Associação de Assistência à Criança Deficiente (AACD) de Osasco e Ibirapuera (Association for Assistance to Disabled Children of Osasco and Ibirapuera), and the Hospital Universitário (University Hospital). Other institutions, such as the Instituto Mara Gabrilli (Mara Gabrilli Institute), also refer patients, and some seek them out after being recommended by family and friends.

Despite not having a focus on training athletes, swimmer Victor Santos Almeida, who competed in the 100 m backstroke final in class S9 (physical-motor limitations) at the Paris Paralympics, started at the institute at the age of six.

Love for sport 

Remo Meu Rumo is the result of the union of four friends who are passionate about the sport. The couple Ricardo and Patrícia Moreno, an orthopaedic doctor, were joined by Candido Leonelli, a doctor and six-time rowing champion at the Mundial de Master, and Ana Helena Puccetti, a psychologist. 

The team is also made up of physiotherapists, psychologists, physical educators, social workers and dentists. For the work to work, the institute is also concerned with training professionals capable of dealing with disabilities. 

In 1997, Patrícia and Ana Helena were the first South American rowing champions in Brazil, alongside Renata Gôrgen and Claudia Alencar.

Taking care of who takes care 

The routine of having a child with a physical or intellectual disability is exhausting for families, and many women find themselves alone in this mission. Therefore, the institute created the Cuidando de Quem Cuida program (Taking care of who takes care), aimed at the well-being of parents and caregivers. “We’ve had massages, movies with popcorn, walks, storytelling, as well as parties and activities,” says Ricardo. 

Also, a psychologist and a social worker closely monitor the students and their families. “We realized that taking care of families was also taking care of students.”

Research and gains for society 

All of the Institute’s activities produce data, which is why Patricia Moreno coordinates the research arm of Remo Meu Rumo. “The first research work we did was with engineering student Cauê Contrera Barreira, from the Escola Politécnica da Universidade de São Paulo – Poli (Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo), who carried out a gait analysis (walking), evaluating its evolution using the Kinect (a motion sensor developed for video games)”.

The piece was connected to the students’ legs to evaluate the evolution and development of walking. For this research, students with cerebral palsy were analyzed.

At the moment, another research is being developed in partnership with the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the Universidade de São Paulo (FAU-USP) (University of São Paulo). “With research, we bring this data and information to a document, to a record. This way, we can continue learning, in addition to bringing gains to society and the scientific community”, highlights Ricardo.

10-year celebration 

To celebrate the organization’s 10th anniversary, in August the book Remo Meu Rumo – Remando Para o Futuro was published, with chronicles written by personalities such as Jairo Marques, Mara Gabrilli, Lars Grael, Amyr Klink, Baby do judo, the former soccer player Fofão volleyball and world rowing medalist Fernanda Beltrame, as well as professionals and students from the institute. 

Did you like the project? Find out how to support 

The Remo Meu Rumo raises funds through the Lei de Incentivo ao Esporte (Sports Incentive Law) but also accepts donations from companies and individuals. To do this, get in touch via the website or through your profiles on  Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. Volunteers are also accepted.