ASSOCIATION FOR ASSISTANCE TO MENTALLY DISABILITY AS EVERYDAY REALITY AND SYMBOL OF HOPE: TOWARDS THE APPROACHING HALF-CENTURY OF ITS ORIGIN
Abstract
Th e article will focus on the gradual building of a single non-profi t organization that defends the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities during the totalitarian period in the territory of Czechoslovakia and will underline the key role of parents in this process. Th e author describes the initial ideas of parents - builders about the possibilities of better health, social and educational conditions for their children with mental disabilities.
Attention is paid to fi nding common goals for these parents and the author reminds the remarkable merit of Božena Gürtlerová, the founder of the Association for the Help of Mentally Disabled People (also referred to as SPMP). She undermines the courage of parents in advocating the diverse needs of people with mental dis254 Monika Mužáková abilities at a time when the only offi cial ideology was uniformity.
Th ere will be presented parents' eff orts to change the relationship of the majority society to people with mental disabilities in which the equal relationship and empathy of the public are the essence of understanding and engagement in their favour. Th e study is based on the author's research from 2011-2015.
Th rough interviews with twelve parents of children with mental disabilities, members of the SPMP at the time of totalitarianism, fi ve of whom actively worked in its offi cial structures, the author tries to understand and answer what the real life of the parents and their children in socialist Czechoslovakia was and what part was played by the SPMP in its daring enforcing the elementary human rights of people with mental disabilities in the disadvantaged environment of the society at that time.