The Story That Changed My Life

Let me introduce you to my son, Gabriel.

He’s 14 now. A brilliant, creative, kind-hearted young man who loves dinosaurs, music, swimming, martial arts, and drawing. But when he was younger? Life was really hard.

Gabriel is Autistic and ADHD, with learning delays. He was misunderstood at school. Bullied. Told he was lazy, disruptive, and “too sensitive.”

At just 11, he hit rock bottom. He told me, with tears in his eyes, that he didn’t think he belonged in this world, that he just wanted to disappear. As a mum, it shattered me. But it also woke me up. I knew something had to change, FAST!

We stopped trying to make him fit into someone else’s mould, and we started teaching him how to lead himself.

Little by little, he learned how to regulate his emotions. How to ask for what he needs. How to speak up. How to take small, bold steps forward — even on the hard days.

We worked on values, vision, identity, and personal growth — things most adults aren’t taught, let alone kids like him.

And today?

He’s black belt in taekwondo. He’s writing a book to inspire other youth. He’s working on sharing his story on stages with me. And most importantly — he’s thriving.

Not because he was “fixed”…

But because he was empowered.

He didn’t wait until he was ready.

He chose to lead — just as he was. And that changed everything.

What If Every Young Person Had That Chance?

Just imagine it…

• Young people like Gabe leading school projects.

• Starting businesses.

• Encouraging their peers.

• Bringing fresh solutions to real-world problems.

• Becoming the mentors and changemakers we wish we had growing up.

That’s the future we’re building at Manna Gracia — and we’re just getting started.