 |
Nicoleta and Ghizela are two women with intellectual disabilities. When they were little, their parents left them in an orphanage.They lived in institutions for almost 25 years. Their life was difficult,
Luckily, 16 years ago, they stopped living in institutions.
Now, Nicoleta and Ghizela won medals at the Special Olympics.
They have jobs and happy lives! |
Abandoned at birth and then secluded in Romanian residential institutions for almost 25 years, Nicoleta Nicolici and Ghizela Ghereben are living proof that people with intellectual disabilities can achieve greatness, if encouraged and supported in their goals.
Living in institutions, where human rights abuses were rife, the women had been labeled “irredeemable,” or unable to ever live a normal, fulfilling life. They had no decision-making power, not even in choosing what to wear or eat. It was like their fate had already been sealed – and prospects were grim for the two of them. Luckily, in 1999, their lives drastically changed. Nicoleta and Ghizela became part of a deinstitutionalisation project run by Inclusion Europe member Pentru Voi, and moved from the large residential service into a supported living arrangement.
Sixteen years on, in Los Angeles, Nicoleta and Ghizela are waving proudly, showing their Olympic medals for all to see. Nicoleta is the Gold medalist of the 2015 Special Olimpics World Games in the mini javelin competition, while Ghizela, Nicoleta and the rest of the Pentru Voi team, have also won Silver in relay. Back in Romania, Nicoleta works as a cleaning staff, as is respected by colleagues who see her as a true team player. In her spare time, she plays table tennis, enjoys running, and is actually the Romanian Special Olympics gold champion in badminton as well. Ghizela has a job as a chef’s assistant, loves singing and doing sports, and is vice-champion in the Romanian national Karate tournament for people with disabilities. The two women are also committed self-advocates, working to uphold the rights of people with disabilities to live independently in the community and to be fully included in society.
In a country where many people with intellectual disabilities still live secluded from the rest of society, the story of Nicoleta and Ghizela is unfortunately the exception, not the rule. But this could change. The two women prove that any person with a disability can thrive, if treated with respect and consideration, and offered the same opportunities as anyone else. As Laila Onu, the Director of the Pentru Voi Foundation said, “their phenomenal progress just goes to show how crucial it is for every person, whether they have a disability or not, to be offered their chance.”
