When you ring the bell you are faced with an authentic valorization of the lives of two young people who have decided to "be in the world". Daniele Buongiorno, 41 years old, and Daniele Frassu who is 36 years old, affected by autism spectrum disorder, have been living for seven months in the Casa D&D - from the initials of their names - a two-level home in the heart of the city of Porto Torres, adapted and equipped with all the conditions to test themselves.

The challenge is the full independence of the children in a regulated space tailored to people with autism, in the context of “Dopo di noi”, one of the projects for education on autonomy. «Our greatest dream has always been to build a house where our children can live alone, even when we parents are no longer here». The mothers, Emilia Masala and Caterina Puliga, are the first to believe in it, so much so that they bought the house with their own savings and registered it in their children's names.

They are their support administrators but above all they are determined and stubborn to the point of going beyond the bureaucracy to obtain the authorization of the precautionary judge. The future of their children is a thought that accompanies all parents. "For us who have children with disabilities, this concern takes on even greater dimensions". Inside the large house there is a kitchen, a living room, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a garden, a garage, a space for music and an upper floor still to be set up: over 100 square meters of comfort. The two young people have discovered that in life you can only improve, that they do not only need to be protected but also encouraged. From their parents, from the social network, and in particular from the educators Paolo Gaspa and Angela Pudda who, supported by the social network, by the associations Il Risveglio and Progetto Filippide, follow the two autistic friends in the process of gradually starting an independent life. The high school diploma at the scientific high school for Daniele Buongiorno, and a diploma at the IPIA for Daniele Frassu, and then lots of sports, training, musical activities and tasks within the house, a skill that is far from obvious.

They stay in their apartment five days a week, from Monday to Friday, all gradually. This is how their life has changed since last September. Since then, their typical day starts early. "Wake up at 7.20, breakfast and athletics, travel to Sassari by bus to participate in the "Dopo di Noi" program, outing with the educators" explains Daniele Buongiorno "then I adapt lunch based on what I have to cook, I do the shopping based on the menu chosen by both of us. In the evening I dedicate myself to exercises and singing and music courses, English course and, finally, I prepare dinner".

Daniele Frassu also has a busy schedule. "My favorite activities are playing the guitar and the drums, then I also take care of some household chores including waste collection." For mother Emilia and Caterina, their children "were born with a suitcase in hand," they play sports and take part in marathons outside Sardinia. "After a lot of theoretical and practical work, these kids, thanks to their parents, have achieved a great goal that for us represents the apotheosis of autonomy," explains educator Paolo Gaspa, a true support for Daniele Frassu for twenty years. "Two mothers like them who have gone beyond difficulties and bureaucracy, beyond institutions, and without ever being satisfied, have continued on their path without waiting for third-party funding or regional projects, buying a house with their own resources to secure their children's future." All according to a complicity and mutual trust between families and educators, for a path directed towards a single goal: supporting their self-determination and their ability to interact. A replicable model that offers a great opportunity to those interested who have the final say in the dedication of their future.

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