The Association of People with Disabilities (SON) in Bolesławiec organized a celebration on the occasion of Women’s Day. Members of the association and their guests took part in the event. A tasty meal, good music and entertainment with a DJ made it possible to spend pleasant moments together, invite the ladies to dance and feel that life in community is beautiful, although on a daily basis it brings many hardships and worries.
History of the Association of People with Disabilities in Bolesławiec
Everything began on 18 August 1997. The initiative of people involved in helping those in need led to the creation of an organization that over the years developed activities for integration, rehabilitation and the active participation of people with disabilities in social life.
Over the years, SON organized rehabilitation stays, occupational therapy workshops, cultural and sports trips, as well as material support for equipment necessary for everyday functioning.
Integration and support for those in need
On 18 August 1997, a group of people involved in helping residents of Bolesławiec and the surrounding area took the initiative to establish the Association of People with Disabilities. Its aim was to integrate and support residents in need, especially those from the Bolesławiec region and neighboring municipalities.
The beginnings were difficult: an office had to be organized, people had to be persuaded to do community work, and people with disabilities had to be reached. Thanks to the patience, consistency and commitment of its members, the initiative quickly gained supporters.
First activities
The board’s first activities focused on integrating people with disabilities with non-disabled people through meetings at the office, followed by group trips to the theater, opera and on excursions.
Rehabilitation stays were a very important element, allowing members to care for their health among friends, which built a strong sense of security.
Funding and program development (1997–2005)
Thanks to the funds obtained, approximately 100 people per year traveled between 1997 and 2005, mainly to the rehabilitation center in Ustka.
In 1997, a table tennis section for people with disabilities began operating. From the very beginning, the athletes achieved success both in Poland and abroad. Over the years, the players reached mature age but continued participating in sport, while cups and diplomas were kept in the office.
Activities for children and young people (1999–2004)
In 1999, at the request of parents of children with intellectual disabilities, the board decided to include this group in the association. The Support Circle for Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities was established, chaired by Jadwiga Dziubińska.
The specific needs of this group required intensive efforts by volunteers, including parents. It was decided that occasional trips and outings would not be enough—support institutions facilitating integration had to be developed.
In 2000, a day room for 12 people was established, and in 2004, thanks to the commitment of many people and the support of Piotr Roman, a second community self-help home was opened at 11 Parkowa Street. There, 30 graduates of a special school could develop their skills in music, art, carpentry, sewing and creative workshops, making everyday life easier and developing their imagination.
The circle was chaired by Michał Wojdyła, who ensured that the children and young people went on tourist and sightseeing trips at least once a year, supporting the process of integration with the non-disabled community.
Important changes in the structure and expanded activities (2005–2007)
In 2005, the outstanding community activist and vice-president Andrzej Caban died. His death highlighted the importance and intensity of the association’s activities.
The breakthrough year of 2007, which began a period of development
The general assembly elected a new board. The year 2007 was a turning point. Maria Szpak became president, and Andrzej Dutkiewicz vice-president. Under the new leadership, the association began to show rapid and visible results, and membership grew.
After years of activity, the association doubled its membership, launched new projects and made it possible to spend time together through St. Andrew’s parties, carnival celebrations, picnics and observances of World Invalids Day.
Thanks to websites and local television, the association’s activities became visible not only in Bolesławiec but also more widely.
In 2012, the association had approximately 450 members. This was possible thanks to the continuation of trips to rehabilitation stays with round-trip transportation: initially 60–100 people per year, later 150–200, and in 2012 as many as 250 participants.
The activities also included material support in urgent equipment-related needs, such as glasses or hearing aids, as well as recognition of volunteers’ work.
There was many years of cooperation with organizations such as the Diabetics’ Circle, the Polish Association of the Blind, the Educational and Care Center in Szklary Górne, the University of the Third Age, the second community self-help home at the Children’s Home in Bolesławiec, and the Day Care Home in Nowogrodziec (since October 2012).
The latest period and activities in 2025
In 2025, an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members elected a new board: Bożena Piszcz became president, Grażyna Wróbel vice-president, Grażyna Zięba secretary, Krystyna Zalewska member, and Bernardyna Lorych member.
The initiatives planned and implemented in 2025 included:
- A carnival celebration for the association’s members and supporters.
- A trip to Budapest for Women’s Day.
- Eight rehabilitation stays on the Baltic Sea coast between June and September.
- A trip to Dresden in October
- A St. Andrew’s celebration at the Municipal Housewives’ Circle in Łaziska.
- Christmas Eve dinner for association members.
Since 1997, the Association of People with Disabilities in Bolesławiec has systematically developed its integration, sports and cultural traditions, supporting both adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Thanks to the involvement of the local community, partnerships with other organizations and the support of volunteers, the association maintains its activity and opportunities for participation in social life.
Today, the organization continues to implement rehabilitation, educational and cultural programs, as well as projects supporting members’ everyday needs.
The text about SON’s history was based on information included in the association’s chronicle, written by Maria Szpak.
(ORIGINAL SPELLING Prepared by Maria Szpak Bolesławiec 12 March 2026
History of the Association of People with Disabilities in Bolesławiec
years 2012–2019
The year 2012 was exceptional: it was declared the Year of the Senior, and for the association it was an opportunity to celebrate its 15th anniversary. A beautiful ceremony was held on this occasion, and the board had much to be proud of.
The association had 450 members, and 250 people went on rehabilitation stays. This was a very large number, but it showed how much Bolesławiec had lacked such an organization.
In May 2013, as the only organization from Bolesławiec, we took part in the second edition of the “z Dolnego NGO” plebiscite organized by the Marshal of Lower Silesia. It was a great honor and distinction to be among the 20 best non-governmental organizations in Lower Silesia.
For the first time in 2013, 320 people went on six rehabilitation stays by the sea, including a 30-person group of seniors from the Day Care Home in Nowogrodziec, who also wanted to benefit from the opportunity to improve their physical and mental condition.
The association continued to grow, reaching 550 members in 2014.
Time passed quickly; 2015 was a very difficult year.
Long-serving board member and caretaker of the Support Circle for Children and Young People with Intellectual Disabilities Michał Wojdyła died, as did Secretary Mieczysław Ernst. Despite this, the smaller board functioned efficiently. It achieved 100% of its objectives: celebrations, a picnic and an excursion along the Piast Trail and to the Spreewald. Meanwhile, 320 people out of the 600 registered members went on rehabilitation stays. We also took part in the Lady D competition named after Krystyna Bochenek. We were noticed at the provincial stage, and the diploma and prize were a great distinction for our organization.
In March 2017, at the General Meeting of Members, the same board was elected for another term: Maria Szpak—president, Stanisława Śmigiel—vice-president, Rozalia Pawelska—treasurer, Zofia Piergies—secretary, Jadwiga Tyczyńska—member, and Matylda Smusz—member.
Over the past 20 years, we accomplished something very important. We broke down social barriers between non-disabled people and people with disabilities and older people. As part of integration, we sent more than 4,000 people on rehabilitation stays; staying at various centers along the Baltic coast, they improved their physical condition.
More than 1,200 people benefited from sightseeing trips to Poland’s most beautiful regions: the mountains, Masuria, Warsaw, the Piast Trail, Gdańsk, Gdynia and Oliwa, as well as Croatia, the Czech Republic, Germany and Yugoslavia, which delighted participants with their historic monuments. Family picnics, carnival celebrations, Women’s Day events and special occasions were forms of gathering attended by more than 5,000 people.
We provided members with year-round rehabilitation through swimming and corrective gymnastics in water, as well as fitness improvement through Nordic walking and gymnastics classes. Throughout the year, we provided financial support from membership fees to people in difficult life situations.
On 20 April 2017, we were able to present our achievements at a ceremonial ceremony attended by Lower Silesia Marshal Cezary Przybylski, Bolesławiec Mayor Piotr Roman, Commune Head Andrzej Dutkowski, Deputy County Head Tomasz Gabrysiak, Stanisław Chwojnicki, and a full hall of SON members and partner organizations.
It was a time to thank the local authorities for their support and real assistance in implementing our activities for the benefit of residents, without which this would not always have been possible.
The past period brought many small tasks, but also many difficult decisions and important activities carried out to improve the quality of life and health of older people and people with disabilities.
May this anniversary convey to others that it is possible to live in friendship and kindness together for decades.
P.S. The activities described ended when the entire board and Audit Committee stepped down in January 2020, mainly due to health reasons and the advanced age of the members. We left behind beautiful programs, the SON anthem text and—most importantly—a full membership of 630 people.
The years 2020 to 2025 brought an entirely new board, which will presumably present its activities
and successes on the occasion of the upcoming 30th anniversary of SON’s activity