6 a.m. comes early in a household. The quiet darkness of the morning is soon interrupted by the sound of three pairs of tiny feet pattering across the hardwood floor, eager for competition day. It’s a morning like no other, and their mother, Gissela, is at the center of it all. Juggling her responsibilities as the sole provider for her family, she finds herself preparing her three daughters—each with intellectual disabilities—for a day they’ve been training for: a skating competition.
The house buzzes with a mix of excitement and chaos, but Gissela moves with purpose. She’s not just a mother; she’s a coach, a caretaker, and a motivator all wrapped into one. Between packing lunches, preparing competition gear, and ensuring everyone is dressed and ready, she keeps her job in mind, knowing that the equilibrium of career and motherhood is her daily balance. Her three girls—Francesca, Isabella, and Anabella—each bring their own blend of energy. Francesca, the eldest, is introverted, her quiet determination guiding her every move. Isabella is the social butterfly, always chatting, always laughing, while Anabella, goes between shyness and bursts of bold confidence.
Despite their different personalities, today they are united by one thing: their love for skating. It’s become more than just a sport for them—it’s a way to feel empowered, to express themselves in a world that doesn’t always understand them.
Once they arrive at the competition, Gissela’s hands are full—literally and figuratively. She’s carrying the girls' skating gear, ensuring each one has what they need. She checks their laces, straightens their helmets, and offers words of encouragement. She stands at the edge of the rink, her heart racing just as fast as theirs. She watches as they take to the rink, each girl facing their own fears, each one skating toward victory.
Gissela’s cheers echo in the rink as her girls perform, her heart swelling with pride. This moment is a culmination of weeks of early mornings, late nights, and a relentless pursuit of balance between her work and her children's passion.
By the end of the day, the sound of medals clinking fills the air. Francesca, Isabella, and Anabella stand proudly with gold around their necks. The joy on their faces reflects Gissela’s own triumph—because for her, winning isn’t just about medals. It’s about giving her girls the opportunity to shine, to feel strong, and to know that they are loved and supported every step of the way.
Leading to this moment was grueling. There were school drop-offs, skating practices, work deadlines, and the constant task of keeping everything in motion. But Gissela has mastered this art. She’s found a job that accommodates her daughters’ needs, and she does her research about intellectual disabilities to better understand how to support their development. She’s learned to navigate the intricacies of their personalities—the moments when they’re shy and withdrawn, and the moments when they’re bold and fearless. Through it all, Gissela remains their constant, reshaping her life to fit theirs without a second thought.
As they drive home, the gold medals hang around their necks and the girls chat excitedly about their day. For Gissela, the drive is quiet. She smiles, exhausted but content. The road ahead is long, filled with more early mornings, more competitions, and more challenges. But if there’s one thing she knows, it’s that with love, patience, and an unwavering commitment to her children, there is nothing they can’t conquer together.
Learning in an Inclusive Environment
Attending a Unified Champion School has played a huge role in the growth of Gissela's daughters, both on and off the rink. A Special Olympics Unified Champion School offers Unified Sports, Inclusive Youth Leadership opportunities, and Whole School Engagement.
In the classrooms, Francesca, Isabella, and Anabella work alongside children with various abilities, yet amongst their peers, they don’t notice those differences—everyone works together. When Francesca, Isabella, and Anabella first started school, they were quiet and reserved, hesitant to interact with their peers. But being in an environment where students with and without disabilities learn and play side by side has transformed them. Over time, they have become more playful, confident, and eager to connect with others. They now run, laugh, and share in ways that Gissela hadn’t seen before, forming friendships and learning new ways to communicate.
Recess, too, has become a time where differences fade. As the girls play and share with others, it’s clear that what truly shines are their abilities and their bonds with classmates. The inclusive atmosphere fosters empathy, solidarity, and support, values that are felt throughout the school.
This nurturing environment has allowed Gissela's daughters to showcase their unique strengths, both in and out of the classroom. Each of them has a spark—whether it's Francesca's quiet determination, Isabella's boundless energy, or Anabella’s bold creativity. Attending a school that values and nurtures those differences has allowed them to feel comfortable and confident enough to shine. Gissela has seen firsthand how her daughters' talents have blossomed, not just in skating, but in every aspect of their lives. The girls have learned that they are more than capable, and they are beginning to believe in the strength they’ve always had inside. It’s a wonderful reminder that with love, empathy, and the right opportunities, every child can realize their full potential.
