On 14th of March Simos Paltsanitidis visited the Second Primary School of Vrontados. He is a Paralympics medalist and holder of a Guinness World Record because he travelled in his wheelchair from Athens to Thessaloniki. Even though he has a physical disability with his legs since he was born he still achieved many impressive things and that’s why he is the perfect example that with determination and effort everything can be done.
He told us that the most important thing in life is health and to take care of ourselves in every possible way. He encouraged the children to do sports, eat healthy and love themselves, because we have to learn how to love and accept ourselves.
As part of his visit we watched an inspiring video about his participation at the Paralympics, his Guinness World Record as well as other disabled athletes practicing sports.
Based on his personal experiences he thinks that there are three categories of people in everyone’s life: Family, Friends and Teachers. We have to appreciate and value all of them and we have to avoid the harmful people, ignore the people who make mean comments about us, avoid the bullies and of course be polite and nice with the people who are around us.
Seeing that he has accomplished incredible things he is an example of determination and strength. In front of that background he told us that the secret for being successful is to have a lot of goals and motivations and try to succeed in one of them. We can’t give up on ourselves, we have to ban thoughts like “I can’t do that, I am bored” and switch them into “I can and I will do that”. He also encouraged the children to help in the community as much as they can for example by planting trees, helping in hospitals, helping the weak ones etc.
As last thought Simos Paltsanitidis explained to the students that they are the future and everything is in their hands. He hast faith in the future generations that they are going to achieve their goals in life.
To see all the pictures go into our gallery!
