Economy Teacher, 67, to Swim English Channel to Raise Parkinson’s Awareness
CALAIS, FRANCE – Salima Benali, a 67-year-old economics teacher, is preparing to swim the English Channel as part of a challenge aimed at raising public awareness of Parkinson’s disease and the benefits of adapted physical activity for those living wiht neurological conditions.Benali, undertaking the swim under the moniker “La Swing,” intends to highlight the complexities of Parkinson’s beyond common perceptions of tremors and advocate for accessible sport-health initiatives.
Benali’s endeavor isn’t simply about physical endurance; it’s a mission rooted in a belief that everyone can benefit from tailored exercise, regardless of their health challenges. “Parkinson’s disease is not just someone taking tremors, as we often imagine.It’s much more complex than that,” Benali explained. “My goal is notably to raise awareness among university staff…or who think about fatigue and health. More generally, it is to raise awareness of sport-health on the scale of society.”
The challenge, broken down into three-month objectives, began with intensive readiness this summer and will continue with cold-weather training and crucial tests scheduled for February. Benali emphasizes a step-by-step approach,acknowledging the possibility of setbacks while prioritizing the learning process. “You have to try everything knowing that, perhaps, we will not get there.What is vital is what we will learn by doing it. Failure is part of the experiance,” she stated.
Benali is currently fundraising to support her project via GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/la-manche-a-la-nage-pour-rendre-ce-defi-possible
