"I urge those who have the opportunity to offer a family to children with special needs"
The story of the Musteata family, professional parental assistants for children with Down Syndrome
In 2015, Rodica and Mihai Musteață became professional parental assistants for the siblings Vera, Mişa, and Alexandra. Six years later they decided to adopt them.
In 2016, the family took Dumitrița into care, and five later - the siblings Codrina and Danu.
"We always wanted to give the children the chance to have a family," says Rodica.
Dumitrita is 7 years old and has an intellectual disability. Two other children adopted by the Musteata couple have physical disabilities.
"I urge those who have the opportunity to offer a family to children with special needs", says Rodica.
Rodica and Mihai have two more adult children. "They are very careful and really big brothers," adds Rodica.
"To us, they are our mom and dad", say all six children.
"It's not easy, but when you see everyone smiling, and calling us mom and dad, you see the result of your work", says the Musteață couple.
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This material is part of the disability acceptance campaign "An inclusive world starts with me, with you, with us..." , organized by UNICEF in partnership with AO "Prietena Mea", with the financial support of the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), through the German Development Bank (KfW). Within the project will be created the first platform for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities in the Republic of Moldova (www.abilitare.md).
