Adimi, also known as the Association for people with Intellectual Disabilities of Mijas 'Virgen de la Peña', celebrated its 25th anniversary last Sunday. Users, volunteers, neighbors and members of the group gathered in a very special event in which they highlighted the work they have been doing since they started. 

It was in September 1999 when a group of parents with children with intellectual disabilities decided to join with the aim of providing care and attention to people like their children in order to ensure their future welfare. "Adimi's work is very necessary, very demanding. Public administrations do not meet the needs of our children in terms of care therapy centers and other, and social level, so we could say that if there were no Adimi, we would have to invent it", said the president of this group, Cristobal Moreno, who also, on stage, announced that "we are working to become a foundation in the coming months. 

During the event, the attendees, in addition to spending some time talking and having fun, were able to enjoy a lunch organized by the association Charity Food for Autism, who every year dedicate a day to this group. Its leader, Sebastián Fernández, explained that "this year is a bit special because coinciding with the 25th anniversary of Adimi, a special lunch has been held here. Music has been played, a special atmosphere has been created, and we have invited partners, collaborators and friends of all". 

Remarkable work

Currently, Adimi has around 450 users through its day centre, its residence, its day care unit and its child and youth and early care services. The Councillor for Social Inclusion of Mijas Town Hall, Melisa Ceballos (PP), also attended the event accompanied by other members of the government team. The councillor stated that "Adimi does an incredible job with children with disabilities. They take care of them, they look after them... They have become part of their families and the workers are all adorable, they are fully dedicated to these users". On the other hand, there was also representation from the Malaga Provincial Council, the head of Assistance Centres, Third Sector and International Cooperation, Francisco José Martín (PP), who insisted that "they (the associations) are the ones who really see the problems, the ones who are closest, and the administration has to help them to collaborate, in this case, with the families". 

Members of the corporation also wanted to congratulate the association and thank it for its work. The socialist councillor, Josele González, thanked "all those people who, anonymously, have collaborated with Adimi over these 25 years, who provided financial support and thir time."

During the celebration, some parents also shared their experiences. Antonio Cabello said that for him "the association is very important, his son has a disability and at the centre he feels good, he has fun and doesn't spend all day at home, and it is also a way to help the parents". One of the mothers, Susana Gracia, said that she has been with the association since her son was born, he is now 24 years old and she is very happy to see how the association has helped her son all those years. Finally, the association Charity Food for Autism handed over the cheque, valued at almost 17,000 euros, from the money raised at their annual charity lunch held last November. 

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