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| Steps towards a Normal Life |
| Mariana* is a regular 22 year old. She spends time with her friends, she’s concerned with her looks and she’s studying for a profession she chose – to be a cook. If she does well during her trial period at the exclusive hotel she works at now, soon she will have a full time job and she will afford a shared studio. Normal wishes for any young person who wants to be independent. Hard-to-imagine wishes two and a half years ago, when she first came to the Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery for Young People with Disabilities at FARA Romania Foundation, supported by United Way Romania. |
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| In June 2009, Mariana wouldn’t speak to anyone, would get scared when someone tried to talk to her, especially if it was a man, and she would rather isolate herself in her world of dolls and teddy bears. And it was no wonder: after she had runaway from home at age 10, because of the physical and sexual abuse she was subjected to by her family, and had lived on the streets for a few years, she had ended up in a center for children with disabilities. During the 10 years she stayed there, she received almost no education or cognitive stimulation and she didn’t develop abilities other people take for granted, such as communication, cooperation or empathy. |
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| The road from Mariana who would not speak to anyone to Mariana who reads, writes, goes shopping and even initiates activities at the Center was not easy. It took a lot of patience from the social workers, openness from the other residents and especially a lot of courage on her side to leave her safe imaginary world and to accept the world around her, with good and bad. Now she is independent and responsible and ready to begin the life she had struggled so much for. |
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| Just as Mariana, some other 290 children and young people have the chance to a better life thanks to the funds United Way invests in the education, health and professional qualification of Romanians living with disabilities. |
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*Names were changed to protect those involved. |
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© United Way Romania
2008
