Ionut’s story, a boy with disability who loves life
Today, Ionut is very sociable and sensitive. His eyes reflect a strength and determination to live, in spite of the upheaval he experienced in his earlier years and the challenges of living with Down Syndrome.
Here in Saint Mary Placement Centre in the Romanian capital Bucharest, World Vision is supporting staff to work with children like Ionut, to help him learn, grow and reach his full potential.
For Ionut, various forms of therapy aim to strengthen muscle tone, mobility, speech and learning capacity. One of Ionut’s favourite things in the centre is to help staff with cleaning and washing the dishes. He feels a sense of pride in helping and being rewarded for his hard work. He likes to feel grown up and enjoys the sense of responsibility and belonging.
Saint Mary\'s has also given Ionut and other children the opportunities to socialise and enjoy precious moments of recreation, including a visit to the theatre, to the mountains and being involved in music and therapy classes and creative workshops.
A first-ever visit to the seaside was an unforgettable experience for Ionut, who rushed up to feel the water on his fingertips.
Ionut, who is in the third grade at a school for children with special needs located near the centre, also loves to sing and recite poetry. Expressive and desperately wanting to make a good impression, he introduces himself in his own way and recites poetry about Santa Claus. He also loves to try practice sports and has participated in the Special Olympics along with other friends from the centre.
Ionut has started to speak much better than the first time I met him
His caregiver, Simona, says “Ionut has started to speak much better than the first time I met him. He’s sociable, he likes to play games and loves to play piano. He likes to be praised and loved, requires much affection and likes to help the staff from the centre”.
She adds, “He shows interest in everything, he’s open to all new things and he’s the first to says “yes” to any social activities. Ionut enjoys being active.”
Through World Vision’s support, Ionut has the opportunity to develop his potential by being involved in various forms of activities that expose him to the wider world in which he lives..
Word Vision helps the Saint Mary Center to boost the capacity of public services and implement intervention services for children with disability from sector 5 in Bucharest. World Vision has also provided the centre with equipment, desks, instruments for music class and educational supplies to meet the special needs of children with disabilities like Ionut.
Watching his first 3D movie, visiting Slanic Prahova; Europe’s biggest salt mine and seeing the Comic Opera have all made a lasting impression on Ionut. But it’s the daily love and care he receives that is shaping his future.
World Vision Romania priotises the protection and participation of children and is focusing on building the capacity of public services to care for and meet the needs of children with disabilities, recognising their right to be included and fully participate in society.
Here in Saint Mary Placement Centre in the Romanian capital Bucharest, World Vision is supporting staff to work with children like Ionut, to help him learn, grow and reach his full potential.
For Ionut, various forms of therapy aim to strengthen muscle tone, mobility, speech and learning capacity. One of Ionut’s favourite things in the centre is to help staff with cleaning and washing the dishes. He feels a sense of pride in helping and being rewarded for his hard work. He likes to feel grown up and enjoys the sense of responsibility and belonging.
Saint Mary\'s has also given Ionut and other children the opportunities to socialise and enjoy precious moments of recreation, including a visit to the theatre, to the mountains and being involved in music and therapy classes and creative workshops.
A first-ever visit to the seaside was an unforgettable experience for Ionut, who rushed up to feel the water on his fingertips.
Ionut, who is in the third grade at a school for children with special needs located near the centre, also loves to sing and recite poetry. Expressive and desperately wanting to make a good impression, he introduces himself in his own way and recites poetry about Santa Claus. He also loves to try practice sports and has participated in the Special Olympics along with other friends from the centre.
Ionut has started to speak much better than the first time I met him
His caregiver, Simona, says “Ionut has started to speak much better than the first time I met him. He’s sociable, he likes to play games and loves to play piano. He likes to be praised and loved, requires much affection and likes to help the staff from the centre”.
She adds, “He shows interest in everything, he’s open to all new things and he’s the first to says “yes” to any social activities. Ionut enjoys being active.”
Through World Vision’s support, Ionut has the opportunity to develop his potential by being involved in various forms of activities that expose him to the wider world in which he lives..
Word Vision helps the Saint Mary Center to boost the capacity of public services and implement intervention services for children with disability from sector 5 in Bucharest. World Vision has also provided the centre with equipment, desks, instruments for music class and educational supplies to meet the special needs of children with disabilities like Ionut.
Watching his first 3D movie, visiting Slanic Prahova; Europe’s biggest salt mine and seeing the Comic Opera have all made a lasting impression on Ionut. But it’s the daily love and care he receives that is shaping his future.
World Vision Romania priotises the protection and participation of children and is focusing on building the capacity of public services to care for and meet the needs of children with disabilities, recognising their right to be included and fully participate in society.
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