Juan Pablo
Juan Pablo is a sweet and social 7-year-old boy who lives with Mowat-Wilson syndrome, a rare genetic condition. Due to his diagnosis and related medical needs, Juan Pablo is currently non-speaking and communicates through smiles, movement, and connection. He also has an ileostomy bag and a g-tube, which can make everyday activities more complex. Over the past year, Juan Pablo has made incredible progress with the support of his physical therapist and his deeply committed family. When therapy began, he was only able to bunny-hop crawl and scoot down stairs. Today, Juan Pablo can walk short distances while holding one or two hands and crawl up stairs, reflecting the power of consistency, encouragement, and love. Juan Pablo’s family — including his parents and older siblings, Victoria and Pedro — face additional barriers to outdoor recreation. As immigrants whose first language is Spanish, and with limited access to adaptive equipment and transportation, opportunities for outdoor adventure in Alaska have been rare. This experience provided Juan Pablo and his family with a chance to explore Alaska together, enjoy water, movement, and connection, and create shared memories that include every member of the family. Juan Pablo especially loves singing, clapping, smiling, and playing with water, and those joys are at the heart of this adventure. This experience was made possible through Adventure for Ava, a nonprofit dedicated to creating inclusive outdoor adventures for families of children with disabilities and special needs, ensuring that access, dignity, and belonging are part of every journey. This film is part of an ongoing series celebrating progress, family support, and inclusive adventure in Alaska.
Special thank you to Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours
