Serge, the Light of my Life
This testimony, by Serge's mother, reveals a part of her life from the moment she learned about the disability of her son, until his death. A difficult journey, a life full of pain, but also of hope.
Disability is a (bad) surprise, a real suffering. When Serge was born, I knew nothing about disability, I rejected my child. I refused to see him the first 10 days, my sole preoccupation was to put him in a boarding center and forget about him. But, when I arrived to SESOBEL, it was on September 11, 2001, and when I learned the news of the terrorist attacks in the USA and the collapse of the Twin Towers, I felt ashamed of myself. I realized that what I was going to do was unfair. I, who wanted to hide my child while many other "normal" people were falling dead.
The first year at SESOBEL was not easy; I had to face the world, even my husband and the extended family, for whom having a disabled child was a disgrace. I attended many meetings and training sessions to understand my son's disablility and others' disabilities too. I learned to appreciate special institutions, especially SESOBEL, that never made me feel alone. I remember Serge's first birthday, it was marvelous. I felt a big joy and wanted to spread it to all the children at SESOBEL.
Serge's sickness broke me down, the suffering was tremendous for my son and for me; then Serge was gone, in peace, wrapped with my love, and the love of his friends and all of the team of SESOBEL. Even though Serge is not here anymore, I will always stay faithful to SESOBEL. I pray that the world would open its heart to love and accept disabled children.
This experience taught me a lot. Before Serge's birth, I did not know how to pray. With my son, I discovered praying and the meaning of life, and I also discovered the essence of joy. My Serge, was the light that shined over my life.
Sylva Lochikian, Serge's mother