[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px||3px|||” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=YaF_c0TC4jA” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”A Family\u2019s Hope in Greece: Iakovos\u2019 Autism Journey and the Program That Changed Everything” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#841B21″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n
At almost seven years old, Iakovos is a cheerful, affectionate, and gentle soul. He loves hugs, and his calm presence brightens the lives of those around him. But a short time ago, his parents were gripped with fear and uncertainty about his future.<\/span><\/p>\n Diagnosed with autism, Iakovos struggled deeply with communication and social connection. \u201cHe was like Mowgli from <\/span>The Jungle Book<\/span><\/em>,\u201d his father, Lefteris, explains. \u201cHe had no social skills, completely isolated from his environment. He would hide in a corner. You could show him a picture of a cat, and he wouldn\u2019t say \u2018cat\u2019\u2014not even \u2018meow.\u2019 We were worried for what would become of him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Help-Save-Greece-Autism-Therapy.jpg” title_text=”Help Save Greece Autism Therapy” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n It wasn\u2019t until a family friend\u2014also a parent of a child with autism\u2014told them about SPARTA Autism that their path began to change. The friend shared their incredible experience with our program, and Iakovos\u2019 mother decided to reach out.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_testimonial author=”Lefteris – Father of Iakovos” portrait_url=”https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Help-Save-Our-Program-in-Greece-1.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n At first, Lefteris was skeptical. \u201cWhat is this? Some program from America saying they can help our child? What are they going to do?\u201d But everything changed when he saw it firsthand. He met the other children, spoke with families in the program, and slowly began to witness change in his son. \u201cFrom the first moment the program started,\u201d Lefteris says, \u201cI saw that things were slowly changing for the better. Every day that passes, I see things about Iakovos we never could have expected.\u201d<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Unlike other limited programs in Greece, where therapy is often done behind closed doors, SPARTA Autism brings training into the home. Parents are included every step of the way. \u201cBefore, we felt shut out of our own child\u2019s progress,\u201d his mother says. \u201cNow, we learn alongside him. We are part of his growth.\u201d<\/p>\n And the growth has been remarkable. Today, Iakovos comes home from school and joins in on daily chores. He clears his own plate, sits down for meals, and takes pride in his independence. Tasks that many of us take for granted\u2014eating, cleaning, following a routine\u2014are milestones for Iakovos and his family. Each one is a triumph.<\/p>\n The bond between Iakovos and his therapist is something his parents treasure. It is more than professional\u2014it is personal. The care and one-on-one attention has helped Iakovos become more confident, more capable, and more connected with those around him. Even his younger sister has benefited, as the entire family has gained tools to understand Iakovos and support his journey.<\/p>\n His parents humbly answer when asked about their hopes: \u201cWe try to be realistic, focus on today, and hope for tomorrow. We don\u2019t know if he\u2019ll follow a curriculum or what career he\u2019ll have. We want him to gain life skills. To stand on his own. To be loved and accepted in this world.\u201d [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”||11px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”But now, our program in Greece is in jeopardy.” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_color=”#841B21″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Due to budget cuts and loss of funding, we are at serious risk of shutting down this life-changing support. Families like Iakovos\u2019\u2014who are finally seeing hope\u2014may lose the services they rely on.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_margin=”-12px|auto||auto||” custom_padding=”5px||2px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”We need your help.” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”–et_global_heading_font|700|||||||” title_text_align=”center” title_text_color=”#841B21″ title_font_size=”41px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”||0px|||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n Every donation, no matter the size, helps keep our Greece program alive. It helps children like Iakovos continue building a future full of possibility. It helps families hold on to the progress they\u2019ve worked so hard to achieve. Help us continue providing life-changing support to children with autism and their families\u2014here in Greece and around the world.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_button button_url=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ5ODgifX0=@” button_text=”Please Donate Today” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_url” _module_preset=”default” background_layout=”dark” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”15px||15px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” custom_padding=”0px||0px|||” custom_margin=”|auto|-28px|auto||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/ehu.irn.temporary.site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Help-Save-Our-Program-in-Greece.jpg” title_text=”Help Save Our Program in Greece!” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Discover Iakovos’ inspiring journey in Greece through our autism spectrum stories series. His parents share how SPARTA Autism transformed their son’s life, building independence and hope. Help us continue this life-changing work\u2014our Greece program urgently needs your support.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[31,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asd-stories","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5087"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5111,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5087\/revisions\/5111"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sparta-autism.org\/el\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
That is what SPARTA Autism is making possible.<\/p>\n