A Little Warrior Who Teaches Us to Live Inclusion Through Every Adventure

Some children live their lives, and then there are children like Sebastián, who show everyone around them what strength sometimes looks like. Sebastián is a joyful 10-year-old boy who was born on March 16. From the very beginning, he was deeply loved and wanted by his family. Today, he is known by many as a "little warrior," a nickname that fits him perfectly once you learn his story.

This is the story of Sebastián, told through the words of his parents, who shared their journey of love, challenges, therapy, and adventure. It is also the story of how the right wheelchair changed the way this family experiences the world together.

The Beginning of the Journey

Sebastián's mother had a normal pregnancy, with regular prenatal care from start to finish. But life does not always go as planned. During delivery, Sebastián became stuck in the birth canal and suffered what doctors call perinatal asphyxia. He did not cry when he was born, a sign that something was wrong, and the pediatrician had to resuscitate him right away. Before his parents even had the chance to hold him or touch him, he was rushed to the intensive care unit.

That same night, Sebastián had seizures. The next day, he was transferred to a hospital that could give him a higher level of care, and he stayed there for 15 days before finally being allowed to go home.

At that point, his parents did not yet know what the future held. They cared for him the same way they would care for any newborn baby. But when Sebastián was six months old, his seizures came back. This time, doctors gave the family a diagnosis that would change everything: cerebral palsy and epilepsy.

Sebastián's parents describe this moment: "Our world changed completely." From that day forward, they committed themselves fully to his treatment. They followed his medication schedule carefully and did everything in their power to give him the best possible quality of life.

Building a Life of Mobility and Inclusion

For Sebastián's parents, mobility was never just about getting from one place to another. It was about making sure their son could take part in everyday family life, trips for ice cream, afternoons at the park, walks in nature. They wanted him included in everything, not left on the sidelines.

Sebastián's very first wheelchair came almost by accident. When he was two years old, his family was walking near the CONADIS offices in Ibarra when a staff member noticed them and asked if Sebastián could walk. His parents explained that his cerebral palsy made walking impossible. Right there, the staff member offered them a wheelchair, completely free of charge.

Sebastián's parents remember asking the obvious question: "How much does it cost?" When they found out it was free and that it was the right size for him, it felt like an incredible gift.

As time passed and the family visited more physicians and rehabilitation specialists, they learned something important: every person needs a wheelchair that is specifically adapted to their body, their posture, and their individual needs. A wheelchair is not one-size-fits-all.

This understanding eventually led the family to Cielo de Amor, an organization that specializes in providing custom wheelchairs. The Cielo de Amor team carefully evaluated Sebastián and built a wheelchair suited to his stage of growth and development, a wheelchair made just for him.

A Week Full of Therapy, Learning, and Rest

Sebastián's life is busy, and it has been that way since he was very young. His family started aquatic therapy when he was only eight months old. Over the years, they added physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to his routine. This steady, consistent care has helped Sebastián stay in excellent physical condition, despite his diagnosis.

A typical week for Sebastián looks like this:

• Mornings are spent at Casa Oruga, an inclusive center where Sebastián joins educational and recreational activities alongside other children who share similar diagnoses.

• Afternoons, after lunch, are dedicated to therapy. He attends physical therapy at Neuro Rehabilitación Imbabura, speech therapy at Fonema, and aquatic rehabilitation at Fissionn.

• Weekends are set aside for rest and family time. Sometimes that means watching animated movies together at home. Other times, it means taking part in running events as a family.

Through all of this, therapy sessions, meals, outings, and everything in between, Sebastián's wheelchair plays an essential role. It is what allows his family to move him safely, comfortably, and easily, no matter where the day takes them.

Discovering  Cub Wheelchair

Sebastián's family first learned about the Cub wheelchair through a post on Cielo de Amor's social media page. As they researched it further, they were drawn to its multiposition design, its ability to handle all kinds of terrain, and how easily it could be loaded into a car. It did not take long for them to realize this was the wheelchair built for their active, adventure-filled family life.

For Sebastián's parents, Cub's best feature is the barrier-free access it provides. Its stability and the comfort it gives Sebastián have opened doors, literally and figuratively, to places the family once thought were out of reach.

How Sebastián Sees the World and Talks to It

Anyone who spends time with Sebastián quickly learns that he is full of life. He loves riding in the car, swinging, jumping, and dancing. More than anything, he loves movement and being around other children.

Sebastián does not communicate with words, but that does not mean he does not communicate. His parents describe how clearly he expresses himself through facial expressions, gestures, and body movements. When something excites him, he nods his head for "yes." When he does not like something, he shakes his head for "no." Anyone who knows him can read these signals easily.

Right now, Sebastián is learning to use an eye-gaze communication device, a piece of technology that lets him "speak" by looking at symbols or words on a screen. His family has already mounted the device on his wheelchair, and he is picking it up quickly, making progress that excites everyone around him.

Looking ahead, his parents have a dream: they hope Sebastián will one day have a wheelchair built specifically to work with this eye-gaze technology, giving him even more independence to communicate and connect with the world on his own terms.

Crossing the Finish Line Together

One of the most memorable moments in Sebastián's story so far is the day his family took part in a 5K race, with Sebastián racing in his Cub wheelchair.

Sebastián is an active child who does not enjoy sitting still indoors for long. So when his parents asked if he wanted to join the whole family in the race, he answered the way he always does when he is excited: he nodded "yes."

Race day started early, at 6:00 a.m. It was a cold morning, so the family bundled Sebastián up warmly, attached the all-terrain wheel to his Cub, and made their way to the starting line for the 7:00 a.m. race.

From the very first moment, the music, the applause, and the applause of the crowd filled Sebastián with excitement. As his family pushed him through the course, he babbled and shouted with joy every time they passed another runner. Other participants cheered them on along the way, calling out things like "You can do it!" and "Let's make it to the finish!"

Crossing the finish line, surrounded by cameras, sponsors, and cheering spectators, was a moment the family will never forget. It was proof, in the most joyful way possible, that with the right equipment, true inclusion is not just possible, it is something to celebrate.

The Joys and the Ongoing Challenges

Every parent of a child with a disability will tell you that the small milestones feel enormous, and Sebastián's parents feel this every day. Watching him smile, hearing him babble the words "Mom" or "Dad," or seeing him make a voluntary movement with his arms or legs, these moments fill their hearts with joy. Above everything else, they say their greatest blessing is simply seeing Sebastián healthy and free from major complications.

At the same time, the challenges never fully go away. Every day, the family works to help Sebastián sit independently, communicate more clearly, and grow more autonomous. Technology and medical science have become important allies in this effort. For example, Sebastián once used an adapted gait trainer that let him enjoy trips to the park, until he simply outgrew it.

Now, his family is searching for a Grillo gait trainer made by Ormesa, a device that would fit his current height perfectly. Because it is expensive, they are hoping to find a second-hand one that fits within their budget.

Advice for Other Families

When asked what advice they would give to other parents searching for a mobility device for their child, Sebastián's parents kept it simple: always seek guidance from qualified professionals.

They point back to their experience with Cielo de Amor as an example of what that guidance can look like. The team there did not just hand them a piece of equipment. They took the time to customize every wheelchair to match each child's posture, measurements, and unique physical needs. That kind of careful, personal attention, Sebastián's parents say, makes all the difference.

Looking Ahead

Sebastián's parents dream of continued independence for their son, more freedom in how he moves, and more tools to help him communicate and explore. Until that future arrives, their commitment stays the same: keep planning new adventures, and keep giving Sebastián every opportunity and every tool he needs to enjoy life fully.

In their own words, they want the world to know that Sebastián is a true warrior. He has the strength to achieve anything he sets his mind to. And he is surrounded by a family who loves him unconditionally, a family that will always do everything possible to make him happy.

Sebastián's story is a reminder of something simple but powerful: the right mobility equipment does not just help a child move. It helps a whole family live, adventure, and celebrate life together.

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