Our Journey: A Family Built on Love, Strength, and Resilience

Our beautiful little family.

Welcome to our family’s story—a journey of love, challenges, and triumphs. My name is Paije Lopez, and together with my husband Luis, we have built a beautiful family over the past 12 years. We are the proud parents of three incredible children, each of whom has special needs. Our path hasn’t always been easy, but it has been filled with moments of joy, resilience, and unshakable love.

When Luis and I first met, we didn’t know exactly what the future would hold, but we were excited to build a life together. We dreamed of having children, watching them grow, and navigating the ups and downs of life as a family. Little did we know, our journey would take us down a path we never expected—one that would challenge us in ways we couldn’t have imagined but also shape us into the family we are today.

Over the years, we have learned that the road to parenting children with special needs requires not only patience and understanding but also a deep sense of advocacy, strength, and unwavering determination. We’ve navigated a world that doesn’t always accommodate our children’s unique needs, but with each challenge, we’ve grown closer as a family.

Now, we want to share the story of each of our children with you—because their stories are the heart of everything we do in our foundation. Through them, we have learned how to fight for what’s best for our children, how to love unconditionally, and how to never give up.

Our Family’s Foundation: Building a Life Together

Before diving into the unique stories of our children, it’s important to understand the foundation that has held us strong over the years—our love for one another. Luis and I met 12 years ago, and from the very beginning, we knew we were meant to build something special together. Our love was grounded in trust, shared dreams, and an understanding that no matter what life through our way, we would face it together.

Our decision to become parents was one of the most exciting moments of our lives. We couldn’t wait to hold our children, watch them take their first steps, and listen to their first words. But we soon discovered that our parenting journey would look different from what we had imagined.

From the start, we noticed that our children faced challenges that were harder to identify and address. As parents, we felt an overwhelming responsibility to understand those challenges, fight for the right resources, and ensure our children were never overlooked or underestimated. And that’s when we started our mission to advocate for special needs families—to ensure that every child, regardless of their challenges, receives the support and love they deserve.

Now, let’s begin the journey of telling you about each of our beautiful children—their unique personalities, challenges, and the incredible light they bring into our lives.

Aiden: The First Spark of Our Family’s Journey

Our firstborn, Aiden, is now 10 years old, and his journey has been filled with both challenges and triumphs. From the moment he was born, we knew he was special, but as he grew, we began to notice that things weren’t developing as we had expected. The road was not always easy, but our love for him has always been unwavering.

Over the years, Aiden has faced numerous health challenges. His diagnoses include autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorder, eosinophilic esophagitis (EOE), and severe oral aversion disorder, among others. As if that wasn’t enough, we are still working to uncover other underlying issues. His journey has been a long one—many appointments, therapies, and countless tests. But through it all, Aiden has shown incredible resilience and strength.

Aiden is not just a survivor of these challenges; he is a fighter, a dreamer, and an amazing big brother. He may not always express himself the way others do, but he has a heart of gold, and we are proud of the young person he is becoming. Watching him grow and overcome his obstacles, we’ve learned that while the road is difficult, it’s also filled with beautiful moments. Every day is a new opportunity to help Aiden thrive, and as parents, we are committed to walking beside him every step of the way.

Tony: Our Middle Miracle

Our second son, Tony, is 6 years old, and his journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Tony’s diagnosis includes severe autism, ADHD, MYCBP2-related neurodevelopmental disorder, Fragile X syndrome, and gliosis of the brain. With each diagnosis, we have faced a new layer of understanding about who Tony is, what he needs, and how we can best support him.

Despite the many challenges Tony faces, he is a bright, loving, and curious child. His smile lights up any room, and he brings joy to our family every single day. However, his journey is far from easy, and as his parents, we constantly advocate for him to receive the services and therapies he needs to succeed. Tony’s path has been one of learning to communicate, navigating complex medical needs, and ensuring that he has access to the right education and support systems. But through it all, we have seen just how resilient he is. His determination and willpower are inspiring, and every milestone he reaches—no matter how big or small—is a testament to his strength.

Tony’s story is a reminder that even in the face of challenges, every child deserves to be celebrated. We are incredibly proud of him and the young boy he is becoming.

Adrian: Our Little Miracle

Our youngest, Adrian, is 3 years old, and while his journey has just begun, it has already taught us so much. Adrian has non-verbal autism, and his diagnosis also includes Fragile X syndrome. Like his brothers, Adrian’s development has been different from what we had initially imagined, but it’s no less beautiful.

Adrian’s challenges are significant, but his potential is limitless. He may not use words to communicate, but he expresses himself in ways that are meaningful to us—through his laughter, his joy, and his connection with our family. As parents, we are committed to ensuring that Adrian receives the therapies and supports he needs to develop at his own pace, while also celebrating the unique ways he interacts with the world.

Adrian has reminded us that sometimes the greatest beauty in life comes from the unexpected. Watching him grow and learn has been a humbling experience, and we know that his journey, like his brothers’, will be filled with both challenges and triumphs.

Our Family’s Mission: Advocating for Change

Our journey as parents of children with special needs has led us to a place of deep understanding and advocacy. Through our own experiences, we’ve realized that the system often falls short of meeting the needs of families like ours. We’ve made it our mission to change that—through our foundation, we strive to provide support, resources, and advocacy for other families who are navigating the same journey.

The stories of Aiden, Tony, and Adrian are the driving force behind everything we do. We are committed to fighting for better resources, better education, and a better future for all children with special needs. Our family’s journey may not have been easy, but it has been filled with purpose and love.

We hope that by sharing our story, we can inspire other families, offer support, and remind everyone that every child is worthy of love, care, and advocacy. We can't wait to share more with you.

Thank you for being a part of our story.

With love and gratitude,

Paije & Luis