She felt that the country was putting obstacles in front of her disabled son and found quality of life in a dream place: "It was exhausting"
An Argentine mother moved her family to Italy seeking better opportunities and quality of life for her disabled son due to the obstacles they faced in Argentina.
The article tells the story of Rosario Rivarola, an Argentine mother who felt burdened by the challenges and discrimination against her disabled son in Argentina. She describes the lengthy and difficult struggle to secure basic rights and a good quality of life for him while living in a society that often viewed disability as a drawback. In a bid for a better life, her family made a dramatic move from Argentina to Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic, which she describes as both scary and exhilarating.
Upon arriving in Fiumicino, Italy, during a lockdown, Rosario and her family were placed in a hotel in Umbria to complete their quarantine. Despite the eerie atmosphere of the nearly empty airport and hotel, Rosario felt a surge of hope and excitement about the new opportunities that awaited them in Italy. She had long been dreaming of a life where her son could be treated with dignity and have access to the appropriate support systems, which she believed were lacking in Argentina. Her family's transition symbolizes not only a physical relocation but also a profound personal journey towards a more inclusive environment for her child.
In Italy, Rosario shares that her son was able to live a life similar to that of his siblings, engaging in activities and receiving care that helped him thrive. This change significantly relieved the family from the exhausting battles they faced in Argentina to ensure basic rights for their son. The story highlights the broader implications of accessibility and rights for people with disabilities and questions the social structures within Argentina that need to change to better support disabled individuals and their families.