Children with Down syndrome are special and good

Ernest Guțu is 15 years old. He has Down syndrome with some autism elements. He started practicing taekwondo 3 years ago, along with other children with special needs. 

„The opportunity to practice sports is a chance for Ernest to be like everyone else”, says his mother, Elena Guțu. „Ernest’s story is one of victory against prejudice, of acceptance, and of the taekwondo team’s big heart, with whom he trained all these years”, says Elena Guțu. 

Ernest learns taekwondo and goes to the pool. For a while, he also did dances.

"His world is orderly. He imitates what he sees around him and is happy when there is silence, order, and attention," says Elena.

Ernest was born in 2008 when little was known or talked about Down syndrome. So the parents and their children learned day by day what the syndrome comes with and how to fight people's stares.

"The world flies into the cosmos and back again, so no one and nothing can deprive you of hope in your child's safety," Elena admits.

„He’s my good luck charm. He taught me to enjoy every moment”, confesses his mother. 

Ernest attended a kindergarten and school for children with special needs.

"You can't include him in regular schools because he can't read, speak, or write," explains his mother.

„Children with Down syndrome are special and kind. Nowadays we lack kindness, smiles and hugs. But this is exactly what this child can give you”, says Elena Guțu.

Elena is one of the mothers who are part of the support group in the project "abilitare.md: an inclusive world starts with me, with you, with us...", which involves creating the first platform in Moldova for parents and caregivers of children with special needs.

This activity was carried out by UNICEF in partnership with A.O. Prietenamea, with the financial support of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany through the German Development Bank (KfW).