Mihai is a four-year-old boy from Călărași, the youngest in a family where he is adored. A quiet, attentive child, he has a natural talent for focusing on tasks and noticing visual details that others might miss. From an early age, his parents noticed that he was developing differently from other children. After a series of
assessments, Mihai was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The diagnosis was overwhelming, but his parents faced it with courage and commitment. Since the age of three, Mihai has attended kindergarten, and twice a week he visits the Wish Centre in Călărași, where he is supported with speech therapy, occupational therapy, and educational activities tailored to his needs.
Mihai still does not speak; he makes a few sounds and reacts strongly to sudden changes or when a favourite object is taken away. He struggles to communicate and to manage his emotions, which makes specialised support essential.
Despite these challenges, Mihai has made remarkable progress. He is more attentive, follows rules better, and is learning to communicate through gestures and eye contact. His family, especially his sisters, are deeply involved in supporting him, celebrating every small success along the way.
Specialists at the Wish Centre believe that Mihai has so much to offer and that he could go even further with the right support and a few more therapy sessions each week. But with local funding dropping over the past year, it is getting harder to give kids like Mihai the help they deserve.
Thanks to the generosity of St Gregory’s donors, children at the Wish Centre have benefited from three years of free therapy — support that has made a real and lasting difference in their lives. But the need continues to grow, and we don’t want to turn any child away. There are many ways you can help us raise more funds and make a difference — here are a few ideas to get involved! Will you help us give Mihai — and children like him — the chance to shine?