When Muamer Husejnović was younger, he was a member of an association for children and young people with disabilities, where he made bags or magnets that the association then sold. Over time, he looked for work to become financially independent. The Information Centre for Persons with Disabilities (IC Lotos) gave Muamer the support he needed.
”I wanted to help my parents. Although I can work with many things and I am well behaved, I never had the opportunity to get a job. The only job I had was to accompany my father in daily work and help neighbours for daily wages. Most of the time people tell me that just because I have a disability, you can't do this or that,” says Muamer.
The support Muamer received from IC Lotos made him feel more comfortable speaking in front of people and taking up space. ”They [IC Lotos] encouraged me to be honest and say what I think, and I listened to them.”
IC Lotos also made sure that Muamer was informed of his rights. He and his girlfriend wanted to get married but couldn't because his parents didn't give him permission. Muamer says: ”So I talked to IC Lotos staff and they told me that I have the right to a family like any other person.” With the help of IC Lotos, Muamer was able to marry his girlfriend and start a family together.
”Now I had a family but no money or job. Both IC Lotos and I tried to find work but nothing. I started somewhere and they laughed or didn't pay me. It was hard to find a real job,” says Muamer.
But one day he got a job. Today he works in a company and does many different things: cuts parts with machines, sands and paints. Sometimes he folds shirts.
”The job is not difficult. Those of us who work together joke nicely with each other. Everyone is equal and the day goes by quickly. I have a salary and I'm not tired so I can do things at home too.”
”I'm calmer now, before I was angry sometimes. Not very happy. Because I was treated like a child. My mum still thinks I'm a child, but others see me as an adult. I am 31 years old now, I have a wife and a son. I live a peaceful life now, the wife is kind to me. Now that I am happier, everything is much better. We as a family have a normal life and others see it. My colleagues respect me, my neighbours respect me. I have a good relationship with my brother and also his wife is a very good friend of mine,” says Muamer.
”All I ever wanted was a normal life and to be like everyone else. I finally got it and I intend to keep it.”
