At good night, Sonia Castro gives her daughter a loving kiss. Then she says, “ I love you so much, Ro. You're my greatest teacher. I can't even imagine how much I still have to learn from you. See you tomorrow .”
Then she retires to rest, something she's only been able to do for a few years. Having a daughter with a disability is a difficult task. It makes you grow, or it drags you down. Sonia chose to grow.
Mother and daughter facing the world
Sonia Castro and her daughter Rocío are two extremely brave girls, like the warrior princesses in fairy tales. Nothing has come easy to them, and that's why they are the way they are: fighters and wonderful; strong and happy.
The two have been partners and accomplices in an extraordinary adventure that began 16 years ago and is now changing the world.
Each one, in her own way, has fought hundreds of battles. Both have won the most important ones and have managed to overcome defeats. That's how they are: stubborn and daring.
If they weren't, Rocío would have succumbed to the severe cerebral palsy she's had since birth. And Sonia wouldn't be the great professional, the great mother, and the great woman she is today.
Cerebral palsy, a time of pain
Like every great story, Sonia and Ro's story begins with an unusual event that changed everything. The baby girl was born prematurely. Sonia was barely 32 months pregnant, and an intrauterine infection precipitated the delivery.
The baby spent another four weeks in the neonatal unit, during which time the doctor gave them the bad news: Rocío suffered from severe cerebral palsy. She would likely never walk, nor would she ever speak.
A period of profound suffering followed. Sonia, who had never had anything to do with disabilities, felt it was the end. It seemed to her that little Ro only had a future full of horrible experiences ahead of her.
Rocío always seemed happy. She was a smiling and peaceful girl, who ended up giving them the strength she so lacked.
Options for moving forward
Something had to be done, and what medicine offered was multidisciplinary treatment. Physiotherapists, kinesiologists, and other specialists paraded through the house. That was a difficult time for Ro, who did nothing but cry during her therapies. She couldn't tolerate them. The smiling, happy girl was turning into a little girl overwhelmed by pain.
Something inside Sonia refused to accept that this was the only alternative left for her daughter. That's when she started searching. She didn't know what exactly, but she explored here and there. Her intuition led her to watch video blogs in English. It was also around this time that she began writing her blog, "Therapist Mom." She did it anonymously and, at first, just to vent.
And as heaven guides the brave, one day a miracle happened. Sonia found the testimony of an American mother who described the progress her son with cerebral palsy had made. This progress had been made possible thanks to a new therapy called ABR (Advanced Biomechanical Rehabilitation).
The method, invented by a Russian mathematician named Leonid Blyum, was being implemented around the world with great success. That's when Sonia knew that, after all, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sonia's study to help Rocío
After thorough research and a lucky coincidence, Sonia went to Argentina to learn the ABR method. It's a therapy that anyone can apply at home. It's based on three hours of massage a day, applied precisely to specific points.
The time had come to make the decision. Sonia wasn't willing to take a step back. She had managed to cherish a hope, and she wasn't going to let it go without testing its limits.
So, against medical advice, she began applying ABR to Ro, and they soon knew they hadn't made a mistake. Rocío began to show rapid and visible progress. A door had opened, one that wouldn't close. 
Help with solidarity and give hope to other parents
Since then, Sonia Castro has become a beacon for other parents. Many watched through her blog as Rocío spread her wings. Sonia managed to popularize the ABR concept and method in Chile and other Spanish-speaking countries.
During this time, she also pursued a master's degree in Literature from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She managed to turn her blog "Mamá Terapeuta" into a true reference on the subject. She also published a book, founded the "Plazas para Todos" program, and created the "Disability and Inclusion" minor at the Universidad de los Andes. She was also a finalist for the "Mujer Impacta" award in 2017 and 2018.
Today, Rocío attends an arts school for children with disabilities. Her progress has been enormous. Above all, she has remained the happy little girl who makes the world smile with her smile. She, better than anyone, knows that Borges was right when he said: “ Among things, there is one / That no one on earth regrets. That thing / Is having been brave .”
Want to hear more life stories? We'll tell you about Nicolás and his incredible guide dog.
