Becoming Eli

Book Synopsis: Becoming Eli is the first graphic novel written and illustrated by Dan Ungureanu. The story is centered around Eli, a young female who lived for 23 years in orphanages and state institutions for young people with disabilities. The book presents Eli’s evolution from abandoned child to independent adult and disabilities’ rights advocate. Every chapter is based on the interview with Elisabeta Moldovan taken by the author following key moments of her life in a chronological order (first memories from primary school, moving from one institution to another, leaving the institution etc.). Eli is currently co-president of Ceva de Spus Association advocating for closing state institutions and community integration for people with disabilities. This graphic novel aims at raising awareness to the large public about isolation and disability and the difficulties people face in institutions. We therefore hope to draw more support for deinstitutionalisation. TELL ME THE TRUTH. TELL ME YOU DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE PERSONS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES. TELL ME YOU DON’T KNOW MUCH ABOUT RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS ORPHANAGES AND ASYLUMS. OR TELL ME THAT YOU HAVE NEVER EVER REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT THE LIFE OF THE PEOPLE KEPT IN INSTITUTIONS. TELL ME THAT YOU ARE NOT VERY SURE WHAT TO THINK ABOUT THEM. TELL ME THAT MAYBE YOU DON’T KNOW HOW TO SPEAK TO THEM. THROW HEAVY WORDS AT ME – CALL ME HANDICAPPED, CALL ME RETARD – I’VE HEARD THESE WORDS SO MANY TIMES…BUT EVEN BETTER, CALL ME BY MY NAME. THIS IS ME. I AM BECOMING ELI.