Francesc Torrebadella, a pioneer in helping children in Spain Down
VICTOR-M. AMELA - 30/07/2010 "The Counter" from "La Vanguardia"
I have 81 years. Almacelles born in and live in Barcelona. I have been printing from 14 years to retire. I am a widower, we had four children: the eldest, Marcel • lí, Down syndrome, recently died at age 50. I'm apolitical and Catholic
When was your child?
Marcel • lí was born on June 2, 1959. Died last year, with 50 years. When he was three months, the doctor predicted he would live ten years. My wife began to mourn ...
What was Marcel • lí?
"Mongol." Today, Down syndrome. The doctor took us know. At that time the parents hid ...
How you took it?
remember to leave the office I told my wife: "Sia a child I Mimas is stunned. "And we decided to give it a demanding education.
In what sense?
were not consenting, if Marcel • lí wanted something, I had to ask, and name each thing by its name. He finished speaking well: if it behaves badly scolded. If they had to punish him, we did. Like any other child! Like the other three children who then had.
Did you get help from someone?
No. It was
howto if those kids did not exist! I went outside looking for other children like mine, to share views with parents and learn: I did not see one! Until 1962 I found a family that their child had Down hidden at home ...
And what did?
From the 14 years I had to get to work, had no education ... but I followed my intuition had to give these guys the best training, I moved to get aid allowed into school.
Meanwhile, at home, what did?
Your mother and I we agreed that if you scold him, the other would be silent but disagrees that the child does not take refuge in a protective!
Marcel • lí "I knew it was different?
was 4 years old and was watching TV and came and told me: "Father in the TV they spoken of the feeble-minded." I am? ". "Yes," he said.
And how did he take it?
with ease and peace of mind: I knew it was not like other children, but he had never been treated like a freak. He was accepted as it was!
you taking her son to the street, right?
Yes: a Mass, a walk, to purchase, at the racetrack Meridiana, next door ...: there he made friends who ended up giving them work in offices ... It was lovely! Almost was the boss.
Could go to school, finally?
There were specialized schools for Down from poor families, and managed the pawnshop for my company, Fabra and Coats, would help provide schooling for children of workers Down. Other pawn imitated us then ...
Were you a pioneer.
was 1964 there was no aid, and I decided to create the Social Work d'Ajuda to Subnormal (OSAS), to help families like mine.
"Al" moron "? This
said. The word upset after parents - was used as an insult, "and change it declined psíquico.Buscamos private donations, we did a school ...
Bravo! First
were six students from six years old, Marcel • lí between them. We knew nothing about special education, we learned together ... In 1966 were 22 students. In 1973, 100 students! Today we serve over 400 mentally deficient a year, from early learning to adult workshops.
And this place where we are?
OSAS is the workshop: poor 140 people work here 18 to 48 years. Marcel • lí was an authority here. Baskets prepared for motherhood, fill boxes, odd jobs ... And charge! Encourages self-esteem. I prepare the 140 envelopes with the salaries.
What was a day of Marcel • lí?
as I was raised, the bed was made, would wash, breakfast, came here, worked ...
Did girlfriend?
Yes, Montserrat: they were always together, and talked of marriage. I do not have mattered ... But it was not easy, would have required domestic help ...
What was Marcel • lí?
sensible, outgoing, very culé, very polite: as a child helped the ladies laden with shopping, opening doors ... He always said: "To love is to help everyone without expecting anything in return." Was an example to all. He was my teacher.
What do you mean?
Thanks to him I am who I am! To help, I had to wake up. And so I learned subjects did not know, YME taught that no one is more than anyone, and because he helped other families, which was another way to help ...
how his life would have been without him?
Poorest, flatter, more unsubstantial, less intense, less interesting. My life does 50 years was very little ... alive today and hundreds of friends, is very full!
"All thanks to Marcel • lí?
met families who did not dare to take your child to catechism Down, classes, workshops, a street ... And convinced that be encouraged to remove them. And today are happy: we met, we laughed ... We are a large family of families, all friends and brave, as he liked Marcel • lí!
If your wife and you could have an abortion 50 years ago ...
I do not think we would have done. Today, certainly not, today we know what these creatures are affectionate, they are a gift of love ... Mothers tell their children what others silent: "What good will this look is new," "how beautiful you are today" ... Another of my sons and his wife adopted Jordi Down another child, my dear grandson ...
Marcel • lí was born on June 2, 1959. Died last year, with 50 years. When he was three months, the doctor predicted he would live ten years. My wife began to mourn ...
What was Marcel • lí?
"Mongol." Today, Down syndrome. The doctor took us know. At that time the parents hid ...
How you took it?
remember to leave the office I told my wife: "Sia a child I Mimas is stunned. "And we decided to give it a demanding education.
In what sense?
were not consenting, if Marcel • lí wanted something, I had to ask, and name each thing by its name. He finished speaking well: if it behaves badly scolded. If they had to punish him, we did. Like any other child! Like the other three children who then had.
Did you get help from someone?
No. It was
howto if those kids did not exist! I went outside looking for other children like mine, to share views with parents and learn: I did not see one! Until 1962 I found a family that their child had Down hidden at home ...
And what did?
From the 14 years I had to get to work, had no education ... but I followed my intuition had to give these guys the best training, I moved to get aid allowed into school.
Meanwhile, at home, what did?
Your mother and I we agreed that if you scold him, the other would be silent but disagrees that the child does not take refuge in a protective!
Marcel • lí "I knew it was different?
was 4 years old and was watching TV and came and told me: "Father in the TV they spoken of the feeble-minded." I am? ". "Yes," he said.
And how did he take it?
with ease and peace of mind: I knew it was not like other children, but he had never been treated like a freak. He was accepted as it was!
you taking her son to the street, right?
Yes: a Mass, a walk, to purchase, at the racetrack Meridiana, next door ...: there he made friends who ended up giving them work in offices ... It was lovely! Almost was the boss.
Could go to school, finally?
There were specialized schools for Down from poor families, and managed the pawnshop for my company, Fabra and Coats, would help provide schooling for children of workers Down. Other pawn imitated us then ...
Were you a pioneer.
was 1964 there was no aid, and I decided to create the Social Work d'Ajuda to Subnormal (OSAS), to help families like mine.
"Al" moron "? This
said. The word upset after parents - was used as an insult, "and change it declined psíquico.Buscamos private donations, we did a school ...
Bravo! First
were six students from six years old, Marcel • lí between them. We knew nothing about special education, we learned together ... In 1966 were 22 students. In 1973, 100 students! Today we serve over 400 mentally deficient a year, from early learning to adult workshops.
And this place where we are?
OSAS is the workshop: poor 140 people work here 18 to 48 years. Marcel • lí was an authority here. Baskets prepared for motherhood, fill boxes, odd jobs ... And charge! Encourages self-esteem. I prepare the 140 envelopes with the salaries.
What was a day of Marcel • lí?
as I was raised, the bed was made, would wash, breakfast, came here, worked ...
Did girlfriend?
Yes, Montserrat: they were always together, and talked of marriage. I do not have mattered ... But it was not easy, would have required domestic help ...
What was Marcel • lí?
sensible, outgoing, very culé, very polite: as a child helped the ladies laden with shopping, opening doors ... He always said: "To love is to help everyone without expecting anything in return." Was an example to all. He was my teacher.
What do you mean?
Thanks to him I am who I am! To help, I had to wake up. And so I learned subjects did not know, YME taught that no one is more than anyone, and because he helped other families, which was another way to help ...
how his life would have been without him?
Poorest, flatter, more unsubstantial, less intense, less interesting. My life does 50 years was very little ... alive today and hundreds of friends, is very full!
"All thanks to Marcel • lí?
met families who did not dare to take your child to catechism Down, classes, workshops, a street ... And convinced that be encouraged to remove them. And today are happy: we met, we laughed ... We are a large family of families, all friends and brave, as he liked Marcel • lí!
If your wife and you could have an abortion 50 years ago ...
I do not think we would have done. Today, certainly not, today we know what these creatures are affectionate, they are a gift of love ... Mothers tell their children what others silent: "What good will this look is new," "how beautiful you are today" ... Another of my sons and his wife adopted Jordi Down another child, my dear grandson ...
life Master
40 years ago as a child in church, in the parish of Housing of the Congrés, I saw on the bank of the side to a different child. His parents were not ashamed of it. Today I learned of the boy, whose name was Marcel • lí, and recently died. His father tells me about him with admiration: "a good man, a great man ... and my teacher of life." Shooting, with a picture of Marcel • lí-beside his adopted grandson (also Down), the girlfriend of Marcel • lí and other friends of the center of the Congrés OSAS (tallercordada. blogspot. Com). His advice to treat these kids, 'Give them freedom, responsibility, consideration and affection. " It's one of those guys good with that sometimes you come across in life.
