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Man with Cerebral Palsy Defies Doctors' Predictions, Becomes Award-Winning Author and Journalist
🇭🇷 Croatia /Culture & Society

Man with Cerebral Palsy Defies Doctors' Predictions, Becomes Award-Winning Author and Journalist

From Večernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Sources not specified Context piece
  • Antonio Milanović, born with cerebral palsy, defied doctors' predictions that he might never walk, sit, or speak.
  • Now 38, he has earned university degrees, worked in journalism and television, and received literary awards.
  • Milanović openly discusses his life with cerebral palsy, including pain, societal prejudice, and his views on sexuality and literature, aiming to challenge perceptions of disability.

Antonio Milanović, a 38-year-old man from Zadar, Croatia, has forged a life far exceeding the grim medical prognoses given at his birth. Doctors initially doubted he would ever walk, sit, or speak due to cerebral palsy. Today, Milanović holds university degrees, has a career in journalism and television, and has garnered literary awards for his two published books.

My mother, certainly, influenced 95 percent of the person I am today.

— Antonio MilanovićReflecting on his mother's pivotal role in his upbringing and development despite his disability.

His journey has been one of overcoming not only physical challenges but also societal prejudice and misunderstanding. Milanović openly addresses the daily pain associated with his condition, the societal attitudes towards people with disabilities, and his personal experiences with work, love, and sexuality. He criticizes a system that often views individuals with disabilities primarily through their diagnosis rather than as whole people.

Milanović's first book, "Istinom protiv svih" (Against All Odds with Truth), published in 2019, was the first autobiography by a person with a disability in Croatia. He expressed satisfaction that his work has encouraged others to share their experiences more openly. He attributes much of his success and personal development to his mother, whose determination to reject the initial medical predictions he considers their shared victory. "My mother, certainly, influenced 95 percent of the person I am today," he stated, emphasizing her crucial role through her persistence and dedication.

It is my pleasure that my autobiography has initiated this series of others.

— Antonio MilanovićExpressing satisfaction that his book has inspired other individuals with disabilities to share their stories.

Beyond academic and professional achievements, Milanović finds validation in his personal growth and a degree of independence. He believes that medical predictions are not always definitive and that personal effort plays a significant role in achieving one's goals. His story also touches upon the circumstances of his birth, where a lack of oxygen during delivery, attributed to a delayed C-section after his mother experienced bleeding, resulted in brain damage. Despite these challenges, Milanović's life is a testament to resilience and the power of defying expectations.

So I am actually satisfied and grateful that mom was strict, that she was persistent and that she actually brought me to where I am now.

— Antonio MilanovićAcknowledging his mother's strictness and persistence as key factors in his achievements.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Večernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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