I am Lina, Giulio’s mother. Today Giulio is 38 years old, and from his very first months we realized that something wasn’t right; we entered a different world, and it felt as though the ground gave way beneath our feet. It took years to receive a diagnosis, treatments, and interventions. I dare not think back to those moments. A mother’s pain is devastating.
Over the years, some friends invited us to attend a Fede e Luce gathering—something completely unknown to us at the time. At first we were skeptical and hesitant, but little by little we understood that we were no longer alone. They welcomed us as if they had known us forever. Encountering Fede e Luce was a great help for our whole family. Giulio immediately felt welcomed by the community and fit in beautifully. He is very affectionate—more than that, really. He especially likes women.
But life is strange. On one side it gives, and on the other it takes away. Giulio lost his father to Covid, and we were left on our own for many months. Once again, Fede e Luce came to meet us. And thankfully, we were able to start meeting again with so many friends.
Friends are the strength of this movement. Through them, the young people feel protected, cared for, and loved. Young people—with and without disabilities—need to have many shared human experiences, with everyone, so that they can always be at the center of the scene. They need to feel loved and, above all, embraced—just as only they know how to do. Thank you, Fede e Luce, and happy 50th anniversary!
