David moves forward. Even when it hurts

David carefully chooses his colored pencils. He is seven years old and likes to color, listen to music, and go to school. He walks more slowly than other children, sometimes in pain, but he moves forward. 

David lives with his family in an environment where love is strong, even though resources are scarce, in a community in Neamț County. His mother suffered a serious accident and has difficulty moving around. His father, Daniel, is deaf and has difficulty communicating, with very limited language skills. The family also includes Rita, his younger sister, who is almost three years old and loves to play with David. 

David lives with a difficult diagnosis, spastic paraparesis, which affects his muscles and the way he holds his leg, making walking difficult and sometimes painful, especially when he gets tired or hurries. However, he moves independently, without crutches or a frame, maintains his balance, and sometimes even tries to run. Last year, he underwent surgery that partially improved his walking. Since then, therapy has become an essential part of his life. 

He goes to a rehabilitation center for children with disabilities, where he receives free physical therapy, massage, psychotherapy, and educational services. Twice a week, a neighbor takes him there and brings him back. "I think it's a miracle from God," says his mother. Before, private therapies were difficult to afford. Now, support from the community gives them the strength to continue. 

Doctors recommended a new operation, which could have taken place last year, but the costs were too high for the family. His mother chose to continue with therapy and pool exercises, especially since the doctor who operated on him previously said that results could be achieved without further surgery.  

David is a sensitive and emotional child, but he is also attentive and caring, especially towards his mother. He gets stressed easily, and stress aggravates his other conditions. However, he likes school, does very well, and has several close friends. He wants to become a painter, and his library is full of coloring books.

His mother sees him as a gentleman, a knight, a big boy with a bright future. She always tells him that she wants him to grow up and not depend on other people, to have his own strength and succeed in life. And they are not alone. The people in the village, his classmates, their parents, teachers, and even local authorities were there for David when he needed them.

Daniela, the community social worker, has played an important role in David's progress. She helped the family with all the necessary paperwork to obtain disability status and benefits, providing them with a minimum of financial stability and access to essential services. Without this support, the journey would have been much more difficult.