Both girls are natural adventurers—determined, spirited, and unafraid to face the unknown. While Moana set sail across the ocean, Mariana embarked on her own incredible journey, navigating challenges that would make even the bravest wayfinder pause.

From the moment she entered the world early at 34 weeks, Mariana proved she was a fighter. Before she took her first breath, the odds were stacked against her—a 50/50 chance of survival, doctors said. But Mariana wasn’t interested in statistics. She was determined to show the world how far she could go.

Early ultrasounds revealed an abnormality, though no one could say for sure what it was. After her birth, her journey began with four challenging months in the NICU. During this time, Mariana faced medical difficulty after medical difficulty. Breathing was hard. Eating was harder. The odds were stacked against her.

But then came a pivotal moment—one that her mom, Natalia, remembers vividly. Doctors recommended a trach and g-tube, and as difficult as the decision was, it transformed Mariana. “She immediately looked like a different baby,” Natalia recalls. “After the placement, she had the tools and support she needed to thrive.”

It was during this procedure that doctors confirmed Mariana’s diagnosis: central core disease, a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and other complications. For Mariana, the effects were significant, impacting her ability to sit, stand, or walk independently.

Still, Natalia didn’t let that diagnosis define her daughter’s story—or limit her possibilities.

“I had to be her advocate at every step,” Natalia explains. “You can’t be afraid to ask questions. Be your child’s advocate and let them show you who they are.”

Like her favorite Disney character, Mariana is always on the move, seeking adventure and taking on the world at full force. She loves being outside, and even though she’s nonverbal, her energy and smile communicate everything you need to know: she’s unstoppable.

Mariana has faced challenges most of us can’t imagine. Central core disease has left her muscles weak, and the daily reality of managing her condition is no small task. Yet, she’s continually defied expectations. Her most recent win? Weaning off her ventilator during the day—something her medical team once thought impossible.

That freedom has opened new doors for Mariana. She now goes to school, rides the bus like other kids her age, and is always ready for her next adventure. When “Moana 2” came out, she was over the moon and excited to see it. After all, she’s already dressed as the iconic wayfinder for Halloween—twin souls for the win.

“The call isn’t out there at all – It’s inside me.”

In March, Mariana took another big step forward, literally. Thanks to a session at NAPA in Austin, a world-renowned pediatric therapy program, she gained some trunk and head control. With assistance, she even took a few steps. It was a big moment for Mariana and her family.

However, intensive therapy programs like NAPA are often not fully covered by insurance and can be prohibitively expensive. Natalia, who is now 28 weeks pregnant with Mariana’s little brother, searched tirelessly for a way to get her daughter into another session. When she found Chive Charities, she knew she had discovered an organization that could make a difference.

And thanks to our incredible donor family, we did just that. Chive Charities funded several weeks of intensive therapy, a $4,205 total impact that will help Mariana continue making strides—literally and figuratively.

We even sent our incredible Senior Program Coordinator, Aly, to see Mariana hard at work at her last NAPA session. Cue the adorableness:

“She has come so far,” Natalia says. “And I know she’s just getting started.”

“If I go, there’s just no telling how far I’ll go.”

Mariana’s journey is far from over. She’s a trailblazer, a light, and an inspiration—not just to her family but to everyone who meets her. Her condition may affect her body, but it doesn’t touch her spirit. That spark, that unquenchable determination, ensures she’ll keep pushing boundaries and rewriting what’s possible.

For her little brother on the way, she’s already the ultimate role model. And for the rest of us? Mariana is a reminder of the power of resilience and the magic of hope.

With the continued support of Chive Charities’ donors, Mariana will have more opportunities to grow, explore, and shine. From her first days in the NICU to her adventures on the school bus and beyond, she’s shown us one undeniable truth: there’s no limit to how far she can go.

Sometimes, the journey may leave a scar. But scars can heal and reveal just where you are. Today, you're here, reading this story. With one click, one step forward, you can help more incredible kids like Mariana go further than anyone thought possible.

Donate today and be the reason another journey begins. DONATE HERE.