He likes football, basketball, athletics, table tennis, darts. And not only does he love, but he also wins medals - in the ten years since he has been a member of the Sports Club (SK) "Special Olympics Nikšić", twenty-seven-year-old Stefan Jokić from Nikšić has won 55 medals. All the medals are dear to him, and he admits that he prefers the gold ones a little.
"I like to compete. I have the most medals in athletics - I run 100 meters and throw the shot put. I am happy when I see that I reach the finish line first. There are a lot of good competitors, but they are all my friends", says Jokić for "Vijesti".
He adds that he likes when they compete outside of Nikšić because it is an opportunity to travel a bit. He jokingly says that sometimes he and his father race and that, of course, he always reaches the finish line first. In the Day Center for people with developmental disabilities and disabilities 27+, in Nikšić's Duklo neighborhood, Stefan works hard with trainers and friends. Often, he says, they also play table football.
"I would like to have table football at home because I could play with my father. I think I would beat him and he wouldn't get mad. There is one sport I would like to try - water polo. I know how to swim, but I have never played water polo".
He says that he will play sports as long as he can because sport means a lot to him, and he notes that we should not forget to mention the athletes he loves - Novak Djokovic, Stefan Savic and Bogdan Bogdanovic.
With work, will and love to progress
"I am overjoyed for Stefan and his sporting successes, but also for his work and will. He likes to compete, socialize and win. That's his goal. Wherever I can go when he competes, I follow him. When he won the first medal, tears of joy flowed," says Stefan's father, Momčilo, adding that his son is in charge of "cleaning the dust" of the medal.
Stefan is the youngest in the family. The brother is married, the sister is married, so even though his parents have five grandchildren, it seems that everyone gives Stefan the most love. He doesn't protest, because there can never be too much love.
"When my wife and I found out that Stefan has Down syndrome, it was hard for us to accept that fact. It took a lot of work, effort, will, and above all love, for Stefan to grow into such a wonderful boy," says Momčilo, with tears and pride in his eyes.
"I'm always proud of him. Of course I'm also proud when he wins those medals, but the most important thing for me is that he's happy. When he wins a medal, he goes around the village to brag, and friends and relatives come to congratulate him. There will also be some gifts".
Stefan learned to help his parents from an early age, he is no stranger to farm work, and he would like to get a job one day.
"The state pays attention, but quite modestly. It can be much better and much more. And what Stefan could do, there is nowhere. It would be nice if care would be raised to such a level in our country, as it is in Western countries", Momčilo said more to himself.
In the countries of the region, there are restaurants where people with Down syndrome work. There are also centers where these people learn to cook. In the West, people with Down syndrome also work in factories. Montenegro is far from the West, but that's why the region is close to it.
From "uncle" to coach
Radovan Dragnić, acting director of the Day Center, but also the president of SK "Special Olympics Nikšić", has been friends with Stefan for 11 years.
"I remember the day we met. Then we found some family ties and I was his uncle. We found each other immediately, and we are still both parishioners. He even came to my place to celebrate, and I went to his place. I know it's not professional, but it happened - simply, you get close to these kids and you become a family", says Dragnić, who was first Stefan's teacher and then coach.
According to him, Stefan separates himself from the other children, and he cites the fact that he lives in the countryside as the first reason.
"Life in the countryside is much different than the life of children in the city. Stefan learned to do all those farm chores, his father and mother trained him very well and he was much more capable of motor skills and physically more durable than other children. He was nurtured and pampered by his parents, he had special attention and it was immediately visible in him".
While Stefan could not remember where and from which sport he won his first medal, his coach, "like out of a cannon", said - Zelenika, basketball.
"Then we introduced the rule that the number of baskets is awarded. We recognized him as a top athlete and that is his primary discipline. He runs 100 and 50 meters, throws the shot put and wins medals, and he and Branko Đurović are one of the best table tennis players, as far as the users of the Day Center are concerned. He also proved to be good at darts, he also participates in team sports, basketball and football. Therefore, he is represented in all sports as far as the Special Olympics and Nikšić and Montenegro are concerned. He is our most trophy-winning athlete", says Dragnić, not without pride.
The point is not to be the first, but to participate and socialize
In the Day Center for 27+ they have 16 users, from 27 to 32 years old, while in sector A there are about 30 of them. Half of them are athletes.
"Sport means a lot to children, and the Special Olympics gives everyone the opportunity. People often equate the Paralympics with the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is for children with intellectual disabilities, and the Paralympics is for children and persons with disabilities who are intellectually preserved, and that distinction should be made. We do divisions for each competition in order to adapt the divisions to the children and their abilities. Everyone is equal in the competition and somehow everyone can win a medal. The essence is not just to be the first, the essence is to participate, hang out, socialize among your friends and peers and be seen by others".
Dragnić emphasizes the help and support of the Special Olympics of Montenegro and the Municipality of Nikšić, but also the importance of including them in the "September Days" and putting a sign of equality between their sports activities and others.
"This means especially to children and their parents. I am extremely proud, but also happy when there are competitions and when they win medals - you look at them and their parents, you see happiness and that is something that cannot be described in words".
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