Mariana Ferrer She is an outstanding director and producer with more than 30 years of experience in Colombian television; She is also the mother of Simón, an 18-year-old young man who was diagnosed with autism at an early age. Together they have decided to share their story in a book.
“Simon’s gifts” is a book that was released this year within the framework of the Bogotá International Book Fair, in it you can find the daily experiences of a mother and her son, and the drastic decision they made with the arrival of the pandemic: leave the city
After the declaration of the Covid-19 pandemic, Mariana and Simon They took refuge in the countryside, once there, Mariana managed to design a space and routine that adapted to Simón’s needs so that he could lead a dignified and happy life.
Among the mountains, Simón takes care of dogs, cats, chickens and rabbits; Likewise, he attends a school in the process of inclusion that does not prioritize academic achievement, but rather his ability to make friends.
“Simon’s arrival gave a twist to my plans, and although at first I did not understand where I was going, today I know that to help my son move forward, I will be able to design a decent life for him, making him a person as autonomous as possible in amidst the situation, but above all, being happy is my life purpose. And working to achieve it became my reason for being,” Mariana shared.
In these pages, Mariana and Simón decided to share their life journey with everyone. “Simon’s Gifts” is a intimate work that tells the life of the author with her son and the daily challenges they face and how they have overcome them and strengthened their relationship.
Mariana explained to Radio Nacional that “through the lines of this book, we want to highlight that the biggest barrier that people like my son have is not the condition itself, but the lack of knowledge of society that is not It doesn’t make them easy at all.”
Currently, based on her experiences with her son, Mariana decided to create the foundation Simon’s friendswhose objective is to support other families with children who have autism through workshops, talks and support.
It may interest you:
A more accessible city: The company that made tourism in Madrid a reality for people with disabilities
Ana entered the operating room for a routine operation; When she left, she had acquired motor and visual disabilities
Salamanca holds the first Autism Fair, a unique event of its kind in the city
