Fabiana Nantes, 42 years old, a physical education teacher in Mato Grosso do Sul, always dreamed of being a mother. After years of trying to conceive and facing low ovarian reserve, she underwent in vitro fertilization and had a surprise: triplets. The high-risk pregnancy brought joy and fear with the loss of one of the babies, still during pregnancy, and had to be intensely experienced with the premature birth of the children at 32 weeks.

Nevertheless, and after hearing from the doctor that the heart of one of her much-loved expected children had stopped inside the belly, she needed to continue because, in addition to Saulo, who became an angel, she carries Vitor and Clara.

At all times, Fabiana, who is Catholic and attributes her struggle to faith, reinforces: "I did not have a vocation to suffer, I always sought happiness, even in difficult moments." And let's continue with the transformative story of the battle of the woman, atypical and resilient mother until finding the comfort of cannabis in the life of one of her loves.

Fabiana, Vitor, and medical cannabis

Vitor, 8 years old, was born with cerebral palsy, periventricular leukomalacia, and refractory epilepsy, a condition still under investigation to determine if it is Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. "Vitor's first seizure, at the age of one, was crazy. We didn't know if it was febrile or caused by his encephalomalacia. It was desperate," recalls Fabiana.

Between hospital visits, medication adjustments, and the daily struggle for her son's quality of life, Fabiana also followed Renato's arduous battle against acute myeloid leukemia. Life seemed to oscillate between constant highs and lows. Shortly after the pandemic, Renato passed away prematurely, and she had to take on the intensive care of Vitor and Clara alone. "Seeing him apathetic, without energy, with difficulties in feeding, was like losing a part of my son," she recalls, narrating one of Vitor's seizure crises after the father's death.

Hope in cannabidiol

It was in this moment of despair that cannabidiol entered Vitor's life. After trying everything and going through medications that did not progress, she learned from countless reports about the change that medical cannabis has on patients with pathologies similar to Vitor's.

The change was quick and noticeable: "Cannabidiol brought my son back. He returned to being that active, curious, full of energy boy. Every gain, no matter how small it may seem, is a victory," says Fabiana, moved.

In addition to reducing seizures, the medication allowed for a decrease in other drugs that previously made Vitor drowsy and lacking autonomy. Today, he communicates better, participates in therapies, and regains the joy and curiosity that have always marked his personality.

Ensuring access to cannabidiol was not simple. Between high costs and resistance from the health plan, Fabiana had to resort to the justice system and rely on raffles and personal resources to maintain the treatment. "It is an expensive medication, but of great value for Vitor's development. I will fight to the end to ensure that he continues to receive it. He deserves this chance," she emphasizes.

Fabiana also balances the needs of her neurotypical daughter, Clara, 8 years old, with the intensive care of Vitor. "The relationship between them is one of mutual learning, love, and patience. Every small achievement of Vitor is celebrated by all of us," she says.

Looking to the future: faith, hope, and generosity

When reflecting on her dreams and hopes, Fabiana is direct and purposeful: "I want to be better every day, for my children... set an example of generosity, but also teach that no one can crush their hearts, that they do not need to stay where they are not seen or valued. I want to ensure our financial stability, but without giving up quality time together, real presence. I want to show that it is possible to be happy even when life seems meaningless, to recalculate the route, transform, build, grow together, make mistakes and apologize, always respecting others. Atypical motherhood humanized me, made me a better human being! It takes you out of selfishness because first you have to take care of your child.

 And, in the midst of all this, having another neurotypical child is a challenge: we must never stop looking at her because her needs matter as much as the other's."

Even in the face of so many adversities, Fabiana maintains faith, hope, and generosity. She allows herself to reshape her own life, knowing that a happy mother is much better for her children. "Today I can look back at what I went through and understand that everything strengthened me. I am rebuilding our story, giving new meaning to losses and gains, caring for the past with affection and looking to the future with hope. The most important thing is to never give up fighting for them, nor to believe in better days," she concludes, with a smile that translates the strength and courage of her journey", ending the mother who spares no effort to get the cannabis oil to see her son improving.

Check out what the experts say about the use of cannabis for the treatment of diagnoses like Vitor's: