Romanian society has a history of abandoning and institutionalising people with disabilities and mental health issues. Even though changes in approach and attitudes are happening, these people are cast as patients or just simply ill.

There are a somewhat staggering 17,000 or so disabled adults living in institutionalised care in Romania (out of a total population of 625,000 disabled adults) – the majority of whom are sidelined in society, and having little or no access to public or private places.