Meet Aura Roblero, Marlon Cabrera, Ernesto, Marlon, Ivania

By Maria Smietana - Photos by Heather Gregg –21 Vines Photography

When Marlon Cabrera and Aura Roblero left their native Nicaragua 20 years ago, they settled in Indianapolis, where they already had family. Their son Ernesto was 2 at the time, and Marlon Jr. was born the year they emigrated. Ernesto graduated from college and works for IUPUI. Marlon is a sophomore there.

Thirteen years ago, Aura and Marlon added a daughter, Ivania, to their family. “We did not know she had Down syndrome until after she was born,” Aura recalled. “We were very scared at first, but despite our fear, we made the decision to love her and help her in any way that we can.”

Aura wants parents in similar situations to know that it’s okay to feel many different emotions at first. “Live your grief, but never lose hope,” she said. “Seek help and educate yourself about your child’s disability and support him or her in any way you can. LOVE them and teach them to be as independent as they can be. Don’t assume they can’t do something until they try. I assure you that you will be amazed at what they’re capable of if you them the opportunity to do so.”

It’s no wonder that watching Ivania meet milestones has been a great source of happiness for her family. “I love to remember when she first walked at the age of 17 months, said her first word at the age of 3, and when she started dancing ballet at the age of 7,” Aura said, “She always loves to dance and I always encourage her to do it because I know that makes her happy.”

Ivania is now a seventh-grader at New Palestine Junior High School. Getting her included in the general classroom has been one of the greatest challenges that Aura has had to deal with. “I have always advocated for my daughter to have the opportunity to be educated in the least restrictive environment and to be able to participate in the same activities as her classmates,” Aura said. “I am very happy that she attends a regular classroom now.”

At home, Aura makes sure that Ivania learns the skills that everyone needs for self-sufficiency. It’s notable that she’s already mastered many household chores that a lot of neurotypical 13-year-olds wouldn’t be expected to do. She’s in charge of making the grocery list and goes to the store with her mom to help locate items on the shelves. She cleans the table before and after meals and has learned to sort the laundry by color and fold the clothes after they come out of the dryer. That’s on top of updating the calendar every day, and being in charge of her school assignments.

For holidays, making cookies or cakes is a tradition in the Cabrera-Roblero household. “She’ll read the recipe while I do the baking,” Aura said. “At Christmas, we put up the tree and decorations. “We also carve pumpkins on Halloween.”

Ivania is a pretty typical teen when it comes to what she likes. Aside from dance, her favorite hobby, she likes to ride bikes with her dad at the park, listen to music, especially hip-hop, and play basketball or kickball. Her favorite screen-time programs are Sam and Cat, Wiggles, Super Why, and America’s Funniest Home Videos. She’s a low-maintenance eater, preferring Subway, McCalister’s, Qdoba and Applebees. She’ll never turn down cookies and ice cream. And she can’t seem to get enough of trampolines, so she’ll go to Sky Zone to jump until she gets tired.

Raising Ivania has given Aura a unique set of perspectives and experiences that are valuable for the families she serves as the bilingual health information specialist for Family Voices Indiana. “I love my job because it gives me the opportunity to know and help other families who have children with special needs,” Aura said. In turn, Family Voices, along with Insource, Down Syndrome Foundation, Hands in Autism and Indiana Resources Center have all helped the Cabrera-Roblero family navigate the world of special needs over the years.

“I am always looking for resources and programs for teenage children where Ivania can have the opportunity to explore and learn new skills for her adult life,” Aura says emphatically. “My goal is to support my daughter in becoming the person SHE wants to be as an adult. Listening to her and supporting her in everything she wants to do to contribute to her adult life is what I enjoy the most.”

For families with special needs children who have just moved into a new community, the first thing Aura advises is to look for organizations or foundations that are nearby and connect with them. “Learn about their resources, support groups and everything else that you consider useful for your own situation,” she said. “Remember that each child is different and needs are varied, so it is important to focus on your child’s own needs.”

Aura Roblero (317) 209 786 2417 Penny Ct. Indianapolis, IN 46229

Would like to share your personal or family story or to nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com

We Love Kids!

most dental insurances and Medicaid accepted

• providing tools to use in future appointments

• establishing at-home dental hygiene routines

• preparing you and your child to work through fear and anxiety

Call 317-842-8453 to book an appointment.

9885 E. 116th Street, Suite 100 | Fishers, IN 46037 babytoothcenter.com