A Mother's Unexpected Journey: How One Decision Changed a Life

Little Gabe lost everything just days after his birth. Born in Brazil, he was abandoned by his mother at only two days old due to a congenital anomaly. The odds of him finding a home were slim until one woman's incredible choice altered his destiny.

Gabe was born over 20 years ago without arms or legs. Doctors identified his condition as a rare syndrome called anarthria—its cause is still unknown. His biological mother felt she couldn't raise him and left him at the hospital.

Because of his unusual appearance, the chances of someone adopting him were extremely small. He would have remained bedridden, leading a life of solitude, if not for a woman named Janelle Adams from the U.S.

Janelle saw a picture of Gabe in a supermarket and was moved to help him. She and her husband were already parents of 13, making the decision even more complex. "We had our reservations, but I couldn't stop thinking about this sweet little boy with no family, no arms or legs, stuck so far away from us," Janelle said.

Janelle managed to find the orphanage where Gabe was and began the adoption process. After it was finalized, she and her husband Ron flew to bring home their new son. It was love at first sight. Gabe joined the family as a toddler and thrived under their care. From a young age, he used a wheelchair, but his parents were determined for him to be independent. By age 12, Gabe could do many things his peers did despite his limitations. He dressed himself, moved around, ate, and even swam, tackling stairs on his own. "I can do it, and I do it with a smile," Gabe said.

Yet, the path wasn't easy. During his teenage years, Gabe faced daily teasing and bullying. "One day in art class, the teacher asked us to critique each other's work. A kid said to me, 'It looks like Hashem made a mistake with you.' I went home that day and just broke down. I couldn't get it out of my mind," Gabe shared.

When the Adams adopted Gabe, they thought they were simply rescuing him from a life of loneliness in a hospital bed, but soon realized it was Gabe who saved them. He taught them true life values and how never to give up.

"I used to resent my parents for making me work so hard, but now I look at them and thank them for pushing me to be independent and become the person they knew I could be," Gabe said.

From day one, Janelle and Ron treated Gabe as one of their own. The more Gabe discovered about himself, the more independent he became. "Our goal was always to give Gabe the freedom to choose, knowing independence would follow," his father stated.

After high school, Gabe left his parents' home and embarked on a surprising career as a motivational speaker. "I've been speaking for about four years now, and it's pretty amazing—the places I've seen and the incredible people I've met who share their stories and how I can help them," he said.