Hi, I’m Clara.
Sometimes people tell me I shouldn’t dream so big. That because I can’t speak, read, or write, I should “stay quiet.” But I don’t want to stay quiet. I want to paint louder.
I had a stroke while I was still in my mom’s womb. The doctors told her my life would be a nightmare. But here I am — building my future.
Even though I can’t speak, read, or write, I understand three languages — English, Portuguese, and Italian. I guess my brain found its own way to communicate, just not the one doctors expected.
I’m writing this with the help of my mom (my business partner, my best friend, and my biggest cheerleader) and ChatGPT — and reading it with my text-to-speech app.
Painting became my language. It’s how I share everything I can’t say with words — my love, my anger, my hope, and my joy. Because even if my voice sounds different, I want you to hear me.