"My name is Christian, but my friends call me Chris. Oh yes, I already have many friends and the people from Cedar Foundation are part of them. Since they have been supporting me my life has changed dramatically.
Today I am 21 but when I was born I was given a scary diagnosis. According to it, I can't do many things. And I really couldn't, but not because of the diagnosis, but because there was no one to show me how. In the institution where I lived with 66 other abandoned children, I was aggressive, I didn't speak, I was afraid of everybody. Even though I was a teenager I was constantly put in diapers because no one had taught me how to do without them...
In 2010, with the help of the Cedar Foundation, I moved to a family-type home in Kyustendil and thanks to the care, warmth and attention I receive every day I am different and have learned many new things. And I'm happy because now I go to work and I have a salary, I do my own shopping, people trust me. Not only have I long since forgotten diapers, I take care of my own hygiene and help with housekeeping at the family center where I live. My aggression has been replaced by a constant smile. I used to want to be alone, but now I love being around people, singing and folk dancing.
And I don't think about the diagnosis because it wasn't the diagnosis that prevented me from developing. It was the fact that while I was growing up there was no one to show me how to do it. Well, now there is, and I know it will continue to be that way."
