Mirko's fairytale has come true. The young man has been hired and works in a restaurant. A message of hope.

"There are stories that deserve to be told because they are good for the soul and ignite hope: this is one of them." There couldn't have been a better opening. A mother's heart, some might say, because that's what we're talking about. In reality, the story of Mirko , a 19-year-old with Down syndrome living in Castelnuovo Magra, transcends definitions and opens the doors to faith in the human race. Thanks to his talent and those who believed in him, starting with his mother Sara, the young man was awarded the opportunity to complete a summer internship at the restaurant " La Terrazza del Delfino " in Marina di Carrara starting June 26th, fulfilling a dream born of sacrifice and willpower.

Mirko, who this year attended the fourth year of hotel management school in Massa, had Lorenzo Pianini as his dining room teacher during his two-year period, and never lost sight of him again. "Four weeks into his internship," says Sara, a literature teacher originally from Versilia, "I can say the results are extremely positive. It's a significant challenge for him and a big gamble for me. And so far, it's a small, big victory. Because the context makes all the difference. And a welcoming and well-organized environment, like the one we found, made it possible for Mirko to integrate into the workplace. This is an ongoing integration story." Sara wanted to see firsthand how her son works, and one evening she ate at "La Terrazza del Delfino" and felt a thrill beyond words. Her thoughts wandered back to when Mirko did an internship in February at the “Pandolce caffè” pastry shop in Massa, bringing pastries and cappuccinos to customers, to his training as a bartender at the “Principe di Piemonte” in Viareggio thanks to the Italian Association of People with Down Syndrome (Aidp) Versilia, of which he is a member, and the charity evening at the “Joseph” in Marina di Pietrasanta, also organized by Aipd, which for years has supported projects and initiatives aimed at socializing and empowering young people like Mirko.

"I've done everything I could to encourage him and give him a dignified future," he continues, "so that he can develop his potential and integrate into this society, which is full of challenges and sometimes difficult to integrate into, but which often surprises us in positive ways. I'd like it to be a message of hope for families. There's a lot of work on my part, but also a lot of responses from institutions, schools, and other organizations." Not to mention the equally crucial presence of his 10-year-old brother Federico, with whom Mirko shares a passion for cycling, board games, and much more. "I sincerely thank Professor Pianini for believing in him," he concludes, "and the restaurant, which has been able to welcome, value, and integrate diversity in an organized, sensitive, and informed environment. And then the Massa Employment Center for their collaboration and availability. But above all, Mirko: a strong boy who is building his wings."

Daniele Masseglia

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