At 15, Aurély is a teenager with a contagious smile who moves through her days with a quiet strength. Behind her sunny smile is a life story marked by many difficulties. Since early childhood, she has dealt with a handful of disorders: ADHD (combined); reactive attachment disorder/language disorder/complex trauma/oppositional defiant disorder (provocative type) – issues that have complicated her everyday life both at home and at school.

When asked to summarize her daily reality, her answer says it all: “Life is hard, but with the right guidance, everything is fine.”

Aurély has gotten to know lots of people who believe in her. Thanks to support from Maison des Jeunes and Centre de pédiatrie sociale, this young lady has gradually learned self-confidence. After several years in special classes at school, her hard work (and that of her teacher) paid off and she has at last joined the regular classroom – a win she is very proud of.

She is still learning to control her emotions. Conflicts with friends arise at times, but she has a solid team of people in her life. Her dog Harmonie, her cat (simply called “Le Chat”) and important adults in her life – Isabelle, Sarah – provide the comfort she needs on the more difficult days.

Aurély is at her most confident on the rugby field. After being sidelined by a demoralizing injury, she has recovered and regained the pleasure found in practicing the sport. Her first game, which she and her team won, is now an indelible memory of a great victory. In the winter, she feels freest and strongest on skis.

Determined to forge on and always ready to push her own limits, Aurély dreams of becoming a firefighter or healthcare worker to help others. She would also like to travel and see Brazil.

Her mother, visibly moved, describes her as “a tornado that has become a beautiful rainbow.” After many difficult years, she now sees a young lady who’s more mature, fulfilled, and determined. The transformation is a reminder that with the right resources and people who believe in them, young people can reveal cores of incredible strength.