Sold-Out Aldis Congress Highlights Critical Need for Non-Verbal Pain Training

The Canary Islands Aldis Foundation has confirmed a huge need for training on how to detect pain in people with disabilities who can't express it verbally. Their "What Pain Doesn't Say" Congress sold out just days after registrations opened. This event, scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 7th, at the University of La Laguna (ULL)'s General Classroom Building in Guajara, has attracted a significant audience. Eighty-five percent of attendees are professionals from health, education, and social sectors, along with many families. This highlights the importance of Aldis's pioneering approach in the Canary Islands.

The overwhelming response to the congress shows a clear, unmet need among both the public and professionals in the Canary Islands. It's a major challenge to identify health problems in people who struggle to communicate, which affects their overall well-being and quality of life. Aldis is leading the way by tackling this issue from a complete health perspective, bringing together experts from the Canary Islands, Spain, and other countries.

The congress was officially launched today at the Canary Islands Government Presidency headquarters, attended by important public figures. Poli Suárez, the Minister of Education, Vocational Training, Physical Activity, and Sports, stressed that true inclusion requires practical steps like training, information, and support. He pointed to the Canary Islands' education system as an example, noting its nearly 4,000 specialist teachers, adapted facilities, and initiatives like NEAE+21 and Adapted Vocational Training, all designed to improve life for students and their families.

María Candelaria Delgado, the Minister of Social Welfare, Equality, Youth, Childhood, and Families, highlighted that people must be at the heart of government policies. She explained that setting up the General Directorate for Disability has led to progress in finding "invisible" health issues early on, even from a young age. This has also helped shorten waiting lists and allowed mobile teams to work across all the islands, in partnership with local councils and municipalities.

Ofelia Tabares, president of the Canary Islands Aldis Foundation, stressed that the congress is both innovative and deeply necessary. She noted that while we've learned a lot about language and behavior, families are still very worried when their children can't express pain or warn about serious illnesses. Tomorrow's program will provide practical strategies to help children and young people with communication challenges identify and show physical pain, using insights from medicine, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. Ms. Tabares also announced that this congress is just the beginning of ongoing training, with specialized courses for professionals and non-profit organizations planned for the coming months.

Águeda Fumero, the Minister of Social Action, Citizen Participation, Volunteering, and Inclusion for the Cabildo de Tenerife, praised the Canary Islands Aldis Foundation for its 20 years of work and its vital role in the islands. Ms. Fumero highlighted that the congress title points to a "collective challenge" that we cannot ignore. She called for better teamwork between government bodies and social organizations. She also emphasized the importance of alternative communication methods, empathy from institutions, and public responsibility. The Cabildo, she confirmed, is committed to making this event part of a long-term strategy to support people with disabilities and their families.

The Canary Islands Aldis Foundation firmly believes that spotting issues early and using scientific knowledge are crucial for improving the lives of a particularly vulnerable group. Due to the overwhelming demand, Aldis is already looking into new ways to share the congress's findings with everyone who couldn't get a ticket.