David SABLJIĆ, a spirited 15-year-old with both mental and physical disabilities, embodies determination and resilience. Due to complications during birth, David’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Yet, through the support of his family and his love for judo, he has shattered expectations and created a life rich with achievement, belonging, and joy.
David’s mother, Petra, recounts the beginning of his transformative journey and shares the lifeline of growth he has had since:
I just wanted something that he is involved in, I wanted him to do some sport.
When David was removed from mainstream school and placed in a specialist school, the family was devastated. They yearned for an environment where he could grow physically, mentally, and socially. An online search led Petra to a judo club welcoming children with disabilities.
They were the only place at the time that would accept kids like David. I rang them, we joined, and the rest is history.
The Changes: “Everything…”
Since stepping onto the tatami seven years ago, David’s transformation has been remarkable.
We have noticed changes in everything.
Petra begins, pausing to take a deep breath.
Physically, he is constantly improving. Mentally, he is grown so much. He has friends now, and most importantly, he knows he belongs somewhere. That sense of belonging has given him confidence, which is invaluable.
The impact of judo has rippled into other areas of David’s life. Though his school doesn’t deeply invest in its students, the positive changes in David have not gone unnoticed. His newfound confidence and capabilities stand as a testament to the power of sports and community. David is the youngest in his family, with two older sisters, aged 23 and 18. Before judo, Petra admits their focus was often on the girls’ achievements, tennis for one and piano for the other.
When David was born, we were told he would not walk, see, or hear. But he can hear, he can see with glasses, and he began walking at almost four years old. Watching his progress through judo, we now celebrate his growth just as we do with his sisters. It is a beautiful thing to witness.
Petra’s voice quavers as she shares one unforgettable moment:
When David started judo, I remember a phrase his coach taught all the students: “I can do it!” At the time, David had many fears, especially when it came to walking up a set of stairs. I will never forget the day he stood at the bottom of the staircase in front of our house, looked at me, and roared, “I can do it!” His fear vanished in that moment as he climbed the stairs on his own. Until then, he had never gone up stairs without assistance and it had always been a source of anxiety for him. We owe this precious milestone to judo.
A Sport That Transcends Boundaries
For David, judo is more than just a sport, it is a space where he feels truly himself.
I like my friends, and I like to be what I can be. In judo, I am fully accepted as I am.
Petra, inspired by David’s journey, also joined the club under the “Judo Queens” program. Together, they have found not just a sport but a community that uplifts and empowers them. Today, David’s love for sports has expanded to handball, which he has been playing for 2–3 years. His active lifestyle reflects the spirit of his outdoorsy family, who frequently hike in the mountains. Petra believes this wouldn’t have been possible without judo paving the way:
Judo gave him the confidence to try new things. It showed him that he is capable of much more than we ever imagined.
From overcoming physical fears to finding his place in the world, David’s journey reminds us that with sense of purpose and the right environment, no obstacle is insurmountable. As Petra sums it up:
When I see David on the tatami, smiling with his friends and doing what he loves, I think back to what the doctors told us when he was born. And I think to myself: ‘Look at him now.’
The words “I can do it” are more than just a mantra and just like judo, they are a way of life.
Author: Szandra Szogedi