José

I ring the bell, the door opens, two eyes meet mine, who do I see? A little girl with a big smile; Dejana!

For the first time in December 2001 and still today, this is Dejana welcoming me. Being used to children with autism her direct way of looking at me really surprised and touched me. She has a way of charming that few people can resist.This is great and it has another side to it. Whenever she can she leans against you with her big smile really cosy. It feels as if she cannot stand on her own two feet, so quite easily one might treat her as somebody who is not very sure-footed. In fact this beaming lady can climb stairs, climb up a ladder, walk on blocks, on a balancing beam and run. Above all she hardly ever falls.We have a nice contact. I feel I know her on some level and she surely knows me in her own mysterious ways. One day I may ask her something and she does it with a big smile, the next day I may ask the same and she does not do it …. with a big smile. She is really funny and fun to be with. She is eager to learn and really tries hard even when an exercise or request is very difficult for her. She makes good progress. For her it is very important to break down an exercise into small steps. What seems to us a simple movement might mean five different tasks to her. She is even learning to go to the toilet........ and she found out it is a good relaxing space as well. All things put together I love working and playing with Dejana. It is very rewarding.

Amsterdam, september 2004