Marco is thirty-four years old and has mild intellectual disabilities. He didn't speak or walk until after his third birthday, and he was slow through every stage of development. By nature withdrawn and quiet, he has always struggled with communication. Aware of his difference, he often kept to himself, brooding over his inadequacy and sometimes erupting in sudden rebellion. His aunt still recalls with emotion the day Marco brought home one of his last middle school report cards. As she read it, he crawled under the table on all fours, repeating over and over: "Marco is good! Good, good!" His problems were many. He saw a psychologist, then another therapist, then another. He grew up in an affectionate, patient family that for years refused to acknowledge his handicap, attributing it instead to a character problem that time would heal. At twenty, a psychiatrist examined him and called him "unstable"—adding that the crucial years for specialized education had passed, and nothing remained but to put him to work. But at what?
After military service, which proceeded without incident, Marco took on simple jobs: helping at a pizzeria, assisting with moving, working as a shop assistant. He was strong and willing, but he changed employers often.
His father, a high-ranking company executive, wanted him to attend hotel school. The entrance exam went badly. Marco continued working as a shop assistant.
That's when he met Daniela. It was about eight years ago. Marco would deliver orders from the grocery store where he worked, and when he brought them to her building, he would stop on the landing to chat. And he really did chat! Daniela was much like him—the famous psychiatrist might have called her "unstable" too. She was very poor, cleaning a cinema hall early each morning and then spending her days at home caring for her elderly mother. She also had sisters who were more "intelligent," all of them married. She too felt excluded and discontent. It was real love—a true meeting between two people who understood each other. Marco moved into Daniela's house. Her father got him a job unloading trucks.
Today Marco works nights and sleeps during the day on Daniela's living room couch. He is happy. He often goes home for dinner or a celebration and brings Daniela with him. His family hopes he'll return for good, though they have never truly accepted her. But Marco probably won't come back. Love and satisfying work have given his life a clear and positive direction.
- Maria Ricci, 1998