Rudolf was lucky that his grandparents could – and wanted – to help. “Ome and Opi need to build such a monument,” Norbert says and points to heaven.
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Without their support, it would not have been possible, so an oak was symbolically planted for both of them. “A strong family that stands and falls on each other is paramount.”
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Norbert wakes up at five and wakes the boy at six in the morning. On the way to work, they take them to their grandparents, who not only lead to the garden, but also to ABA therapy, to an occupational therapist and speech therapist. Grandmother Irēna takes her grandson by the hand and patiently sits next to her, but grandfather Jānis is waiting for both in the car. Rudolf is waiting for his father in the evening.
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On his free days, Norbert tries to lead himself, but his work in the police is unpredictable. “Sometimes very serious crimes also happen on holidays. While I’m commanding, he sits next to him and puts stamps on the pages. That’s the way life happens to us sometimes.”
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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Trepša’s office in Sarkandaugava is covered with orders, letters of honor and photographs, where he stands next to the presidents. Although murders are often confined on a daily basis, he uses the words “cruel work” to refer to raising a boy.
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“Over the years, such a protective wall has formed, I don’t let work through. But when I think of Rūdi… See, I can’t have tears again,” Norbert takes a breath and wipes his cheeks. He calls raising his son a diploma work of his life.
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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Attitudes, not just a matter of money
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Norbert plans to retire around this time next year. Grandparents do not get younger, soon the boy will not run away and the man will have to take care of them as well. This is the only time he talks about money during the conversation, as BSF support for therapies will soon end. When Rudolf is an adult, much of the state aid will also disappear. The father hopes that by then he will have reached a level where the boy will be able to take care of himself.
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More on money Trepšs currently has a heartache about education and public attitudes. In the ordinary garden, the boy was pushed away, so he studied in a specialist. For this reason, the school is also unclear.
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“When I go to elementary school, I just quit him,” says Norbert. According to his observations, society is not ready for children with autism, they are traveled and pushed out. This worsens the situation and the child closes even further, wiping out the progress made over many years. On the other hand, in educational institutions, children with developmental disorders often have children whose disorders are more severe than Rūdolfs, which does not allow them to move forward and develop. There is no middle ground.
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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Just accept him
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“I will pull him out to the best of his ability. I will put him at a normal pace so that he is somehow integrated into our society,” he says resolutely. Everyday life would be much easier if you did not come across condemning glances, reproachful words and llamas at every step.
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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Norbert is especially hurt when parents in public say out loud to their children not to go to Rūda because he doesn’t talk and is funny. Peers also tend to push a boy away and refuse to play together. In each such situation, the father’s heart shrinks. Children’s misunderstanding can still be accepted, but adults cannot.
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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In the shop, on public transport, in the park – accusations about the allegedly uneducated child can be heard everywhere. Sometimes Norbert explains what autism is, but sometimes there is not enough strength – and scabies occurs. More tolerance and understanding is what a man asks of others and shares his story to encourage it. “I want him to live in a society that accepts him. So he doesn’t travel around him, but he finally sees a person behind the problem. Just accept him, I’ll deal with the rest.”
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PHOTO: Re: Baltic
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The article was made in the series “Eternal Children”, which Re: Baltica creates together with Latvian public media LTV, Latvijas Radio and lsm.lv. The series will last from June 29 to July 13.
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