Jürki Pinomaa from Finland has written about his experiences during lockdown (News in an easy-to-read format)

Jürki Pinomaa is the name of the head of a large organisation

‘Inclusive Europe’.

This organisation, ‘Inclusive Europe’, brings together organisations

for people with disabilities across Europe.

Jürki Pinomaa has written a story about his life during lockdown.

He lives in Finland.

He has two sons with intellectual disabilities.

His sons live in a residential care home without their parents.

Here is what Jürki Pinomaa has to say.

My sons are called Markus and Robin.

The last time I saw Markus and Robin was in March.

Markus and Robin came to visit me,

and then went back to their hall of residence.

After that, my wife and I went to Spain.

Spain is a country in Europe.

It’s warm in Spain and there’s the sea.

We went to Spain to have a holiday.

Then a lockdown began in Europe.

The President of Finland said that anyone arriving from another country

must stay at home in quarantine for two weeks.

And Spain is another country.

When my wife and I returned to Finland from Spain,

we stayed at home for two weeks.

We didn’t see Marcus and Robin during those two weeks.

Marcus and Robin were also in quarantine in their hall of residence.

We spoke to them online.

Marcus and Robin wanted to come home.

It was hard for everyone in the hall of residence.

Parents missed their children,

and the children missed their parents.

In May, I asked the hall of residence management

to let me see the children.

The hostel management agreed.

And my sons were able to come home.

After a long lockdown, I was finally able to see Marcus and Robin.