Meet Sebastian

Sebastian entered my life when I was sixteen years old, a time when most teenagers are focused on their own futures, friendships, and freedoms. His arrival shifted something deep within me. As my baby brother, he immediately became someone I wanted to protect, guide, and understand. From the very beginning, I sensed that he was different. Not less. Not more. Just beautifully and uniquely himself.

Caring for babies was familiar to me. As the eldest daughter of six, I had years of experience. Yet nothing about caring for Sebastian felt routine. His energy, his sensitivities, and the way he interacted with the world did not match any pattern I had seen before. When he was eventually diagnosed with ADHD and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, many things began to make sense, but his diagnosis also opened a door I never expected.

Watching my parents navigate the unfamiliar world of behavioral diagnoses, therapy appointments, and emotional uncertainties made me realize something important. Families like ours often do not receive the support, resources, or psychoeducation they desperately need. I witnessed their confusion, their worry, and the moments of exhaustion that parents of children with behavioral disorders know all too well. I also witnessed how love, patience, and resilience carried them through even the hardest days.

Growing up alongside Sebastian changed me. It transformed the way I saw people and the way I understood behavior. He taught me that behavior is communication, that differences are not flaws, and that children thrive when their emotional worlds are acknowledged rather than dismissed. Through him, I began to understand how powerful it can be when a family is supported by someone who listens, educates, and empowers them.

Sebastian became the reason I found my passion for mental health counseling. Because of him, I recognized how essential it is for families to have access to accurate information, emotional support, and compassionate guidance. His journey inspired me to specialize in working with children and families, especially those navigating behavioral and developmental disorders. My desire to become a counselor came from witnessing firsthand how much of a difference the right support can make.

Sebastian did not just influence the direction of my career. He shaped the direction of my heart. His presence continues to remind me that every challenge can reveal purpose, every difference can offer insight, and every child deserves to be fully seen and understood.

In many ways, he did not simply inspire my path.
He created it.