MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE!

Nicoleta is a-21-year-old girl who has been living at Motivation since September 2005. Although she was sent to a placement centre since she was very young, Nicoleta keeps in touch with her mother and sisters. However, because of her family’s difficult financial situation and lack of housing, Nicoleta cannot live with her family. Nicoleta is part of Motivation’s team of Special Olympics athletes, who train constantly and participate in SO competitions in Romania and abroad, especially in athletics and ski. In 2010 Nicoleta will graduate the Arts and Crafts School. Being a very talented person, she works in the occupational therapy workshop daily. She creates plaster and clay decorative products, and candles. She likes paining and she can combine the colors in a beautiful way. Nicoleta likes dancing and she attended dancing classes to develop her skills. She spends a lot of time together with the other youth she lives with at Motivation. She likes going shopping and visiting the town. Being a sociable person, Nicoleta makes new friends very easily and she maintains the relationships with them. Nicoleta won many prices in Special Olympics international sport competitions such as: 2nd price at bocce, Special Olympics Romania National Games, June 2009 1st price at alpine skiing, Special Olympics Romania National Games, Parang 2009 2nd price at alpine skiing, Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang 2008 1st price (and gold medal) and 2nd price (silver medal) in alpine skiing at the invitational games of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, Idaho (USA), February, 2008 1st price (and the gold medal) and 3rd price (bronze medal) at bocce, Special Olympic European Youth Games, Rome (Italy), October 2006

In February 2005 Nicoleta participated in the Youth Summit of the Special Olympics World Winter Games, Nagano (Japan) together with other youth with developmental disabilities.

Mihaela is a 20-year old girl who lives at Motivation since 2004. As she was abandoned by her mother when she was born, Mihaela spent her life in different placement centers. She wants to know her natural family, but unfortunately they could not be identified. Mihaela will soon graduate from the Arts and Crafts School in Bucharest. She works in Motivation’s occupational workshop every day to create plaster and clay decorative products, and candles. Her hobbies are knitting and thematic puzzles.

Mihaela takes part as well in Special Olympics sport trainings and competitions in bocce and skiing. As a member of Motivation’s SO team, Mihaela has been competing in national games since 2004. She likes travelling very much and is very interested and up to date with social events presented on the radio or on TV.

Mihaela participated in international sports events such as: Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang 2010, 1st price in alpine skiing Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2009, 2nd place in alpine skiing Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2008, 2nd price at alpine skiing Special Olympics Romania National Games, June 2009, 2nd place in bocce European Alpine ski camp, Murau (Austria) 2008, 1st price European Special Olympics Alpine ski camp, Murau (Austria), December 2008, 1st price (gold medal) Special Olympics World Winter Games, Idaho (USA), February 2009, 2nd price (silver medal), 5th price and 6th price at ski competitions.

Eduard is 18 years old. Everyone calls him Edi. He has been living at Motivation since 2004. His parents visit him from time to time. Because of their poor financial situation, Edi cannot live with them.

Edi attends the courses of an Arts and Crafts School. At the same time, he comes to Motivation`s occupational workshop. Here he helps his friends by pouring the plaster into shapes and then polishing the objects. Edi is very skilled in using the potter`s wheel and he can create clay objects of different shapes and sizes. In the summer and autumn he works in the greenhouse together with the other youth. Every year he is proud of the harvest.

Edi is very passionate about mechanics and he wants to work in a car wash. Edi takes part in sport trainings and competitions in bocce, athletics/track and field, and skiing.

As a member of Motivation’s Special Olympics sport team, Edi competed alongside Mihaela, Nicoleta and Florin in many sports contests such as: Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2010, 1st price in alpine skiing Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2009, 1st price in alpine skiing Special Olympics World Winter Games, Idaho (USA), February 2009, two bronze medals and the 4th price at alpine skiing European Special Olympics Alpine sky camp, Murau (Austria), December 2008, 2nd price (silver medal).

Florin is eighteen. He is very sociable and energetic. The time he spent in a placement centre had a big impact on him. He has a speech impairment and a visible attention deficit. This is why Motivation’s day center specialists crafted a personalized rehabilitation program for him. Florin attends a special school in Bucharest. In his spare time he works in the greenhouse behind the home he lives in. He is very helpful and always wants to help the adults and the other youngsters.

Florin is also a member of Motivation’s Special Olympics athletics and ski team. He won different prices such as: Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2009, 3rd place Special Olympics World Winter Games, Idaho (USA), February 2009, bronze medal and 4th place two times in the ski competition Special Olympics Romania Ski Camp, Parang, 2008, 3rd place European Special Olympics Alpine sky camp, Murau (Austria), December 2008, 2nd price (silver medal) Special Olympic European Youth Games, Rome (Italy), October 2006, two bronze medals in bocce.

Anca is 19 years old, and was deinstitutionalized from a placement centre in 2003. Because of her disability Anca cannot walk without a walking frame. At Motivation’s Day Centre Anca follows a personalized program that includes physiotherapy, speech therapy, psychological counseling, and special education. She also attends the classes of a special school in Bucharest. She likes learning new things and is very receptive to her teachers` requests. In the group home where she lives Anca participates in housekeeping activities, being very tidy and thorough.

Although she has difficulties performing certain precise movements Anca is very ambitious and wants to take part in all the activities together with the other youth. She participates in the occupational workshop activities, where she receives adapted tasks that she can accomplish. She likes creating small objects using glass beads that she offers to her friends. Being a very sensitive person, Anca makes new friends very easily. Although she wants to meet her parents and her brothers, they have never visited her.

Florin lives together with another seven youth in one of Motivation’s family-like homes. As he was diagnosed with a developmental disability and autism, he was integrated in a rehabilitation program created by Motivation’s specialists. Florin is shy and easily scared by everything new, crowded places and darkness. He cannot focus his attention for long periods of time and has difficulties coordinating his movements.

At Motivation we try to adapt all the activities to help Florin participate and feel comfortable. He takes part activities at the greenhouse and the occupational workshop together with the other youngsters. He enjoys walking in the open air and quiet places.

Laurentiu has been living at Motivation since 2003. Having a developmental disability, Laurentiu could be integrated at first in a mainstream school together with children from the community. However, due to the individual rehabilitation program he went through and the support of a teacher at school, Laurentiu slowly got used to his new school and he is now in the 5th grade.

For a year Laurentiu was integrated in a foster family from the community. His return in the group home was very emotional. Without Motivation’s special support this transition could have delayed his progress. To solve his emotional problems the Day Center’s specialists personal recovery program including psychological counseling, cognitive stimulation and adapted sports.

When Laurentiu finishes school, he works in the occupational workshop together with other children and young adults with special needs. He is a sociable person, eager to make new friends. He prefers the company of adults, of whom he asks the entire attention. He likes to feel protected and in safe.

Georgiana, who will soon be 10, has been living in one of Motivation’s family-like homes since 2005. She was abandoned by her family when she was 3 when, after an accident, she remained helpless. She spent 2 years in Tancabesti Placement Centre without a rehabilitation program or an appropriate mobility equipment. After she left the institution and came to Motivation, Georgiana was included in a special rehab program, created on the basis of a thorough assessment made by Motivation’s Day Center team.

Georgiana also received a personalized wheelchair that helps her move inside and outside the home. Georgiana attends the Day Centre, where she takes part in physiotherapy activities, sensorial and cognitive stimulation. She also participates in weekly walks in the park, to the Botanical Gardens, and in fun games with the other children. Although she needs the on-going help of an adult, Georgiana`s condition has improved and obvious progress can be seen, particularly in the areas of non- verbal communication, positive emotions and general wellbeing. Georgiana likes walking and listening to music; she feels good surrounded by children at the Day Centre or in her new home.

Madalina is a 17-year old young girl who has been living at Motivation since 2004. She lives together with eight children in the Cornetu group home. Madalina does not keep in touch with her family and she has never been visited by them. She attends a special school in Bucharest. In her spare time she takes part in activities at the occupational workshop. She prefers painting plaster objects, but she needs ongoing guidance from an adult. Madalina is involved in household activities. She is eager to help the direct care staff and acts very responsible towards the other children in a wheelchair that live in her group home.

Marian is a-15- year old youth who was deinstitutionalized by Motivation in 2003. The poor condition of his family and its lack of interest towards the child led to his placement in a state-run institution. Being such a sensitive and introvert person, his early age experiences had a big impact.

The recovery program initiated by Motivation after his transfer to the residential program helped Marian surpass the emotional problems and eventually be transferred to a foster family. In the summer of 2009 Marian returned to the family-like home.

Marian attends the classes of a mainstream school accompanied by a support teacher from Motivation. She helps him do homework and helps him integrate at school. At the Day Centre Marian prefers artistic activities: he likes painting, listening to music. He enjoys taking part in the occupational activities with great joy. He likes to be surrounded by young people his age and he promptly answers the requests of the adults.

Some time ago Marian was visited by his mother who showed her intention of visiting him regularly. However, the lack of a stable home prevents him from returning home.

Ionut is a 13-year old, is very energetic and happy. Being at Motivation since 2003, he was included in a recovery program to correct the speech difficulties and address behavioral issues. Ionut was integrated in a mainstream school inside the community that he attends at present, accompanied by a support teacher.

For four years, until 2009, Ionut lived in a foster family. Subsequently he returned to Motivation’s group home, where he went through counseling during this transition. He participates in all the activities that take place in the group home, as well as in Day Center activities, occupational therapy, activities in the greenhouse, and summer camps at Varatec. Being very energetic, he prefers outdoor activities, games and sport trainings.

Cristian is one of the children deinstitutionalized by Motivation at the age of 4. He was transferred to Motivation in May 2005 and he was integrated in a recovery program adapted to his needs, identified by Motivation’s Day Center team during a thorough assessment. This program aimed to help Cristian overcome his emotional issues and his memories from the institution, to develop his language and facilitate his physical development. Progress was seen shortly and was speeded up by his move to a foster family. Recently, Cristian returned to Motivation’s group home.

Cristian attends a special school in Bucharest. After classes, Cristian comes to the Day Centre and at the occupational workshop. Thanks to his joviality, Cristian was easily accepted by the other children and the young beneficiaries of our program. His sister, Cristina, was transferred to Motivation before him and lives with Marta, a former Motivation employee who is now a foster parent, and with her family.

Alexandru is a 13- year old boy. He was placed at Motivation in 2005 and for a short while he with a foster family in the community. In the group home, Alex lives with another 7 children with disabilities. He attends classes at a special school in Bucharest and also receives rehabilitation services and attends sports activities at Motivation’s Day Center.

Alex prefers outdoors activities and games played together with the other children. He is very involved in the parties and feasts organized on different occasions such as winter holidays or birthday anniversaries, but he also helps with the daily activities in the home. He likes singing, painting and listening to music.

George is a 21- year old boy who lives in Motivation`s group home in Clinceni. George could not be included in the mainstream education system. However, since 2004 he has been attending our Day Centre for an intense rehabilitation program adapted to his needs. While he made significant progress regarding his cognitive development, and developed new personal independence skills, George still needs ongoing help from an adult.

Being a friendly person, George looks for the company of the other youngsters. He loves singing and listening to music. He takes part with great pleasure in socializing activities and outdoor walks together with direct care staff or staff from the Day Centre.

Marius is 20 years old. He has been living at Motivation since 2004, together with other 7 young people with similar disabilities. As he was diagnosed with a severe developmental disability, Motivation’s specialists tried to create a special recovery program and progress was visible very soon. When he was transferred from the institution he could not talk or establish any connection with the others; now Marius is able to walk on his own inside of house on short distances, while in open spaces he asks the help of the adults.

He likes being in the centre of attention and he prefers the company of adults. Although he did not learn verbal language, Marius has the key elements of nonverbal communication that can be understood by the care staff and Day Center specialists. Marius takes part in socializing activities with great enthusiasm. He likes listening to music and walking outdoors. Unfortunately, he does not maintain any contact with his family, but at Motivation we try to offer him a close, yet a much larger family.

Ciprian is 21. He has a severe developmental disability, as well as a speech and hearing impairment. Ciprian developed skills that allow him to walk independently inside the home and at the Day Centre, as well as to eat without help.

At the Day Centre Ciprian takes part in special teaching, physiotherapy and social activities. He does the exercises the physiotherapist taught him in order to improve the way he walks, his posture and physical condition. He wants the adults to pay him as much attention as possible. He likes walking on sunny days and taking part in group activities together with the other children and youngsters.

Costel is 21 and has been living at Motivation since September 2003. Because of his severe disability he does not attend school, but takes part in rehab activities organized by Motivation. After an assessment period, the Day Center specialists created an individual program for Costel, including special teaching activities, speech therapy, physiotherapy and socializing activities. Although his active vocabulary is very limited, Costel can express his wishes so that he is understood by the others. He also learns to use sign language elements.

Costel is very hardworking. At the Day Centre he takes part in all the activities the staff asks him to participate. Being a friendly and sociable person, he shows great enthusiasm in carrying out household activities and helps our staff. He likes outdoor games, walks and funny activities with the other children.

Gabi is 9 years old. He is one of the children deinstitutionalized by Motivation when he was only 4 years old. He was diagnosed with severe associated disabilities but the rehabilitation program at Motivation`s Day Centre helped him make significant progress. The intense physiotherapy sessions helped improve his walking and general physical condition. Although he can walk only with the help of others, he strives to do more.

Unfortunately, his condition required many surgeries, and the subsequent complications and the necessary time for recovery made Gabriel spend a lot of time in the wheelchair. At present his condition is stable and he restarted the recovery program.

Being a friendly and sociable person, Gabriel loves the other children and the staff. Although he cannot talk, he manages to express his wishes. He enjoys taking part in socializing activities, and loves to be taken for a walk and to be connected to the others.

Florin is 14 years old. He has autism and severe developmental disability. He was taken in placement in 2004 and he lives in one of our three group homes together with other 7 youth with similar disabilities. He attends the classes of a special school in Bucharest and he also goes to Motivation`s Day Center, where he takes part in speech therapy sessions, cognitive stimulation, psychological counseling and socializing activities.

Although he has the abilities that allow him a certain degree of personal independence (he can eat and get dressed all by himself), Florin still needs the permanent support of an adult. His active vocabulary contains a limited number of words. Still, he can communicate with the others using sign language. Florin likes to take part in outdoor activities and in games whose rules he tries learn and follow as closely as possible each time.

Narghita is 14 years old. She has autism and a severe developmental disability. She was born from a triplet pregnancy and was abandoned at birth in the placement centre together with her sister, Kassandra. They were both deinstitutionalized in 2003 by Motivation and placed in the family-like home of the organization. Since Kassandra had only a mild disability, Motivation was able to reintegrate her in her natural family. While the family lives very close to the house where Narghita lives, they never visit her.

At the Day Centre we took into account Narghita’s abilities when we designed an adapted program. Narghita needs the permanent help of an adult. She does not like changes in her daily schedule, nor new persons around her. There are some activities that she enjoys repeating, such as playing with balls of different colors and sizes.

Bety is a 17 year-old girl who has been living at Motivation since 2004. Being diagnosed with autism and severe behavior issues, she lives in one of our family-like group homes. The existing program of special schools is not appropriate for her level of abilities. At Motivation’s Day Center, Bety has an individual intervention program designed by our specialists. Through participation in physiotherapy activities, Bety made visible progress, so that she is now able to move on short distances using only a walking frame. For longer distances she uses a wheelchair and needs the permanent support of an adult. Bety is involved in different activities, such as games, outdoor walks, relaxing activities, all meant to address her behavior issues and develop her abilities. She prefers being in the company of familiar adults and she becomes very agitated in crowded and new places.

Aurel is 21 and lives at Motivation. He uses a personalized wheelchair. Aurel has been attending our day center since 2004. There he is involved in an intensive recovery program that includes special psycho-pedagogical activities, cognitive stimulation and physiotherapy.

Aurel needs the help of an adult permanently. Despite this, he takes part in socializing activities with great pleasure, in the outdoor walks together with the direct care or day center staff.

Stefan is a 10 year-old boy with associated disabilities. His health condition is severe. He permanently needs adult assistance and medical support. His disability causes periodic health complications. In order to solve his medical problems he was hospitalized for long periods and he needed a permanent attendant. Stefan cannot eat solid food. He can eat only with close support from the direct care staff.

When his health allows and the weather is fine, Stefan participates in Day Center activities together with the other children. The physiotherapy program helps him a lot. Stefan enjoys the attention of the adults around him. He smiles when he hears his name, and likes to be caressed and spoiled.

Catalin is 14 and lives at Motivation since 2005 in one of our group homes. He participates in the Day Center program, where he has an individual schedule which includes speech therapy, physiotherapy and other activities.

Although he cannot talk, Catalin expresses his wishes through nonverbal language and he manages to make himself understood by those around him. He likes to be participate, together with the other children and young adults, in movement games, household and socializing activities. Catalin does not keep in touch with his natural family.

Leonard is fifteen. He was diagnosed with autism. He does not attend school but participate in rehab activities at Motivation’s Day Center. Following a careful assessment our team created an individual intervention program for Leo. Leo cannot speak. He needs the ongoing support of the care staff and shows no interest for group activities. He can carry out a limited number of actions and has great difficulties when facing simple situation, as he prefers short, repetitive activities. Leonard does not enjoy the company of the other youth, but he enjoys quiet walks outdoors.