February 15, 2022 – Meet Viktorija Matin, the founder of the Vukovarski Leptirići parents’ association for children with developmental disabilities.

The butterfly – a symbol of beauty, change, fragility, yet such resilience. The Vukovarski Leptirići (Vukovar Butterflies) parents’ association cares for children who are just as fragile and just as resilient – those with developmental disabilities. Founded in 2011, the association has been providing psychological and social care for this vulnerable group. They employ over 35 people, caring for more than 228 members. One hundred thirty-three people currently volunteer with them, but they are always looking for more. They have been successful in delivering more than 60 projects. Their mission and vision revolve around inclusion, ensuring that children with disabilities participate in daily life, sports activities, cultural programs, and more. 

I was fortunate to pay them a visit on a day when the little ones got to meet their therapy dog, Black. After a delicious and nutritious breakfast of sandwiches, fruit, and veggies, we shared some candy and got ready for a new friend to come in. The kids were just the happiest, most well-behaved, considerate little bunch. Their carers and teachers were just as lovely and warm, radiating positivity and love that they feel for their jobs and all the children they work with. They did seem worried, though. The projects through which the association draws funding are irregular, sometimes suspended after approval, and simply not enough. The butterflies are faced with new challenges on the daily. 

Viktorija, their founder, emphasizes that while their space and equipment are among the best in Croatia, the butterflies could use all the donations to keep their carers and teachers and ensure that they’ve had adequate training and education. Viktorija told us all about their work, achievements, and struggle. So we invite you to have a read, think of the butterflies, and maybe donate that morning coffee towards a better future for the ones whose future depends on you.

Tell us about the association. 

Firstly, let me present us through the symbolic name of the association. The butterfly represents metamorphosis, complete transformation, and ultimate freedom. It is the only creature capable of completely changing its genetic structure during its dramatic transformation process. Thus, it represents rebirth and transition to a magnificent new life. Because of its fragility, on the other hand, the butterfly also symbolizes courage, which is needed to make changes in its growth and development. It is also a symbol of hope. When we first established the association, at the end of 2011, children with disabilities needed help with their transformation; they needed courage and hope. We supported parents who didn’t know where to begin. We had courage and hope, and it brought us this far. Starting from a fight against discrimination that children with disabilities face in every aspect of their lives, we have become a place to receive all the necessary therapy and support.

We have achieved the basic goals of the association, improving their quality of life through medical and social care for children with disabilities and their families. We can continually improve the situation, though, always do more and work harder. It is all worth it for the children to feel less lonely, to make progress through laughter and play, for our families to live better lives.

What are your main goals?

In 2017, the association became a provider of social services in the field of psychosocial support. We signed an agreement with the Ministry of Labor, Pension System, Family and Social Policy on the implementation of psychosocial support through the following services:

- Psychological support through Neurofeedback training provided by three educated neurofeedback practitioners (advanced level)

- Psychological support provided by a psychologist

- Exercises of everyday skills with a psychologist and an occupational therapist

- Sensory integration conducted by physiotherapists and sensory integration therapists

- Kinesitherapy and sports and recreational activities conducted by two physiotherapists

- Speech therapy conducted by a speech therapist

One of our projects is a daycare for children with disabilities, those of lower financial status, and adopted children to ensure better socialization for all of them. The kids are more than happy to spend those 4 hours per day with us, enjoy the company of their friends, and the individual work with education and development specialists who care for them. Eventually, they become ready to start kindergarten or school.

For several years now, we have been sourcing funding through projects from the Ministry of Science and Education to implement methods like Tomatis and Soundsory. Valuable, sophisticated equipment and education were financed to provide therapy through music. There are only 8 Tomatis practitioners in all of Croatia. The method revolves around children listening to filtered Mozart music and Gregorian chants while playing, affecting the middle ear, their balance, and their brain. This helps them learn and acquire social, language, and motor skills much faster than they usually would. Our other projects include sports activities and various workshops such as art, creativity, music, dance, and play.

We use every chance to apply for new projects and provide vocational education, equipment, and activities for our members. From the very beginning, we have implemented different forms of therapy, including therapeutic riding and swimming. We also employ several new teaching assistants every year. Currently, the biggest challenge we are facing is funding for the project 'Let’s grow, play and learn together!' for about 40 children who need additional help and support through individual therapy, assisted learning, and quality leisure time. Unfortunately, it ends in three months, and the children will be left without the needed support. We launched a crowdfunding campaign on Čini pravu stvar where we can hopefully collect donations to carry on with the project.

Do you accept volunteers, and which groups would you invite to join you?

It is possible to volunteer short-term or long-term through specific projects or regular activities. It all depends on the skills and interests of our volunteers and the current needs and capabilities of the association. Volunteers have always been an essential part of our work. We would certainly like to see more people with a background in education, psychologists, counselors, and therapists.

What is it like to run such an association in Vukovar? Does the fact that you are in the east of Croatia affect your success?

Nowadays, children with disabilities in Vukovar are not taboo like a few years ago. Professional therapy with the help of sophisticated equipment is available, along with adequately equipped spaces for sensory integration and kinesitherapy. We would say that it is slowly becoming easier to live here as a child with disabilities. We are still working on it; we are constantly reminding people that we are here, that diversity needs to be accepted, that tolerance and equal opportunities must become the norm. There was a time when we were alone, and life was very hard. These days it is easier with all the institutional support, and we take this as proof that together we can achieve a lot in any aspect of life. We were able to renovate our space of 579 m2 and install quality equipment for numerous activities through national and EU projects. There is still a lot to be fixed, primarily the roof of our sports hall. We struggle with funding our projects, and our advances are often late. On top of that, currently, there are no tenders for big projects and our competition is quite challenging in other cities. We are still hopeful that we will receive the necessary donations to continue our programs.

What would the butterflies of Vukovar say to the world?

Our guiding thought is: "If you respect all our rights, we will change the world!"

I want to invite all parents with the same issues to accept the new situation or any difficulties their children might be facing and to live life fully. Include your children in all the programs, travel with them, socialize and integrate, do not allow them to remain on the margins. They are different, not less. Their disability is not shameful. It can happen to anyone, and that is why we need to be united in selflessly helping those who desperately need our help. We are not worth less just because we have children with disabilities.

What makes Vukovarski Leptirići unique in Croatia?

The association operates in the space of ​​579 m2, obtained for use from the City of Vukovar. Although the space was in bad condition, we are completing the renovation, and we will have a beautiful, ample, and tidy space equipped with the best equipment and sophisticated devices. We invest a lot in the education of our staff. We use assistive technology, including simple communicators and even a Tobii device for eye tracking. We have managed to connect vertically and horizontally with the support of the state and local governments and incredibly hardworking and persistent parents who have elevated this association to an incredible level. It’s simple – the secret of success lies in the community! 

How can we help?

You can donate money for our ongoing campaign on Čini pravu stvar. To get to know us a little better, you can visit our Facebook page or our official website. 

For more, check out our lifestyle section.