Laura, a graceful young woman with Down syndrome, quickly learned to catch the eye of boys—but she was fragile when it came to attachment. At seventeen, returning from vacation, she spent weeks demanding to see a boy from the neighboring farm.
She attends a day center where relationships among residents are intense and unsupervised. I decide to consult Laura's doctor, a Christian who has followed her since birth. He recommends reliable protection—something essential for people who cannot prevent pregnancy on their own or understand its consequences.
At thirty, Laura meets Enrico at the group home where she lives. He also has Down syndrome. During weekends at home, she is visibly troubled. The crisis explodes just before summer vacation.
The group home calls me to pick her up. I find her lying on a bench in shock. The only explanation I can extract is that Enrico rejected her. Later, her screaming makes clear what really happened: his new girlfriend is her best friend. She shrieks: "Enrico and Francesca—I don't want you two!" After some time, during therapy, Laura tells me about Enrico's "visits," giving me unmistakable details that she relives obsessively. Her gynecologist will confirm what occurred.
After six years of suffering—during which Laura lost her joy, her love of life, and gained weight—she finally begins to recover. She finds happiness again in her activities and joins a Fede e Luce community that brings her much joy.
This painful story—a betrayal both physical and emotional—forces us to face a grave question: how do we teach young people to respect others and themselves?
A mother, 2003