The smile that defied diagnoses

Granddaughter of Biafra, Alana defies medical odds and inspires Carol Reis’s new book on atypical motherhood, launched in Niterói.

The Smile of Alana tells the real story of a girl who learned to communicate with the world through smiles—and of a mother who turned daily challenges into growth. Written by lawyer Carol Reis, the book will be launched on March 23 at 5 p.m. at the Fluminense Rehabilitation Association in Niterói, Brazil.

Throughout the pages, Carol shares the life of her daughter Alana, who was born with severe cerebral palsy, affecting her vision, speech, and mobility. Beyond medical accounts, the book invites readers to reflect on love, inclusion, and public policies for people with disabilities and their families. “When she was diagnosed, doctors said she wouldn’t live long—but I chose to believe otherwise. Today, she turns 18,” says Carol.

Alana attended public schools, travels with her family, and has paraded twice at Rio’s Sambadrome with Virando Esperança, the children’s wing of 2026 champion Unidos do Viradouro. The preface, written by singer Biafra—Alana’s grandfather—compares her joy to a song that became a symbol. “Her smile is no longer hers alone; it became a symbol for children with disabilities in Brazil,” he writes.

The afterword, by neurologist Gustavo Valle, who has followed Alana since her first months, emphasizes that “a diagnosis is not destiny,” highlighting the role of family affection in building quality of life.

Carol also reveals the structural and emotional challenges faced by families raising children with disabilities in Brazil. She advocates for stronger enforcement of the Brazilian Inclusion Law (Law No. 13.146/2015) and for creating safe public spaces that support mothers balancing work and full-time care.

Event Info

• Launch: The Smile of Alana, by Carol Reis
• Date: March 23, 2026, at 5 p.m.
• Venue: Fluminense Rehabilitation Association – Rua Lopes Trovão 301, Icaraí, Niterói (RJ)
• Preface: Biafra
• Afterword: Dr. Gustavo Valle

Photo: Divulgação