Say hello to Gianna! At 18 years old, Gianna is in her senior year of high school and is the youngest of four children. She has two older brothers, one older sister, and a big, loving family who enjoys spending time together. At home, she’s also got a very special companion: Nala, the family’s Labradoodle and one of Gianna’s favorite things in the world. Her mom, Sandra, describes her as a young woman who deserves every opportunity to experience life, make memories, and enjoy all the wonderful things the world has to offer. And that’s exactly what Gianna is doing!
When it comes to having fun, Gianna has plenty of interests! She loves art projects, shopping, going to the movies, and spending time with friends. She’s also a big fan of K-Pop Demon Hunters and even dressed up as Rumi for Halloween! At home, you can often find her watching YouTube videos on her phone, playing with her beloved American Girl dolls, or relaxing with Nala. Gianna also enjoys traveling with her family to visit relatives in Mexico and Puerto Rico. She’s made the voyage to both places many times and looks forward to visiting new destinations in the future.
At Mychal’s, Gianna especially enjoys making new friends, spending time with the people she thinks are pretty cool, and getting creative with art projects. She’s also enjoyed participating in our After School Program (ASP) cooking class, where one of her favorite group recipes was spooky mummy hot dogs! She also participates in other ASP activities like baking class, and gardening with Miss Alyssa.
Gianna is also building her independence and gaining valuable workplace experience through the WorkAbility program at Smart & Final. There, she helps stock shelves and put together store displays, learning important job skills along the way. She’s a young woman who knows what she likes, isn’t afraid to express her preferences, and does a great job setting personal boundaries. Knowing yourself and feeling comfortable speaking up are important life skills, and Gianna is doing a wonderful job putting them into practice!
Looking toward the future, Gianna has her sights set on a pretty amazing goal: she dreams of becoming a doctor for kids! It’s wonderful to hear her talk about what she’d like to do someday and the possibilities ahead. As her mom shared, Gianna is so much more than any diagnosis. She’s a daughter, a sister, a friend, an artist, an employee, and a young woman with her own interests, dreams, and personality. Her family encourages her to try new things, be involved in everyday life, and do her best in everything she takes on.
When asked about the three things she loves most, Gianna didn’t hesitate: her dog, her dolls, and her family. We think that says a lot about what matters most to her! We’re so happy Gianna is part of the Mychal’s community and love having her here making friends, creating art, and sharing her wonderful personality with everyone around her. Keep being you, Gianna! We’re cheering you on every step of the way!
