When Fyori fled from Eritrea to Sweden on her own in 2021, she had never even held a racket. Now, she plays tennis every week with Stockholm Wheelchair Tennis Club.
Tennis has been a crucial part of Fiyori's journey to integrate into her new environment. © Private
This year’s Paralympic games, the largest ever Refugee Paralympic Team reminds us of the unifying power of sport. Fyori, a refugee from Eritrea who came to Sweden alone in 2021, recounts how playing wheelchair tennis has helped her wellbeing in a new environment.
A way to meet people and practice Swedish
In Eritrea, Fyori had never even seen tennis. Before, she was working as a preschool teacher and a photographer, but when she came to Sweden, she needed to find new hobbies. Tennis, she says has been a crucial part of her journey to integrate into her new environment. The team Fyori plays with is a mix of native Swedes and immigrants, who come together to enjoy sport and socialise. “Every week, I play a little better, I speak a little more and understand a bit more of what others say”, Fyori says. She also regularly visits language cafes in her church and listens to the news in Swedish to learn more about the society she now lives in.
Fyori is involved with a group called Newcomers with Disabilities, which helped her find a wheelchair tennis group in Stockholm. The members meet every two weeks to talk and share their experiences: an important aspect of the meetings is peer support.
“There I have someone to turn to for help, someone who can guide me on who to speak to about a problem. For example, I wanted to study IT remotely, but I don’t have a computer. In the group, we could think of solutions for this problem”, Fyori explains.
Relaxation from stress
Beyond boosting her language skills, tennis has been essential for Fyori’s wellbeing. “It is full-body training. It’s not only physical, it’s also for your mind and it’s good to go outside. Disabled people can experience a lot of stress and doing a sport can help you relax, you also get better sleep after tiring out your body”, she explains. “Tennis means everything to me. When I play, I feel happy.”
The members of Newcomers with Disabilities meet every two weeks to talk and share their experiences: © Private
In the Paralympic Games currently ongoing in Paris, the Refugee Paralympic Team represents more than 120 million forcibly displaced people worldwide. Globally, it is estimated that at least 18 million people with disabilities have been forcibly displaced from their homes, as a result of war, conflict, violence and human rights violations. Many face higher risks of violence, discrimination, exploitation and abuse, and barriers in accessing critical support, assistance, education, sporting and livelihood opportunities.
When asked how she feels about the largest ever refugee representation in the Paralympics, Fyori smiles. “I feel a lot.”
In Sweden, she has discovered new possibilities and finds that having a physical impairment prevents less things for her. “With the right facilities, everyone can play some sport. There are adaptations like safety belts for wheelchairs, and the coach is always there to help as well”, Fyori says.
Doing things like everyone else
Fyori’s spirit and determination to build a new life in Sweden is palpable. She encourages other refugees and people with disabilities to not feel like they cannot do what they want.
“I don’t like thinking I have a problem. With my wheelchair, I can go anywhere just like anyone else. Being able to do things like other people, that gives you hope.”
Her advice for other people in a similar position to her is to keep trying to engage with their new environment.
“Study, learn the language, do a sport. If you are fighting, there are people that can help you. Everyone has their own battles”, she says.
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