Albert Bosch & María Sala 
Pablo Pineda – Being different is a value 
Being different is a value

Winner at the 2017 Moonbeam Spirit Award and at the 2017 International Latino Book Awards. Pablo Pineda is the first European with Down Syndrome to obtain a university degree. This is his endearing story, which reminds us that the only disability is not understanding that all of us have different abilities.

Pablo was born into a family full of love, and when he realized that his baby had different capacities from the rest of the children, he did not hesitate for a second to teach him to be the best version of himself. His parents supported him and helped him become an autonomous person, and Pablo grew up with many dreams to achieve. Although society dictated that Pablo deserved special care, he demonstrated that being different can also lead you to success, and became the first European with Down Syndrome to obtain a university degree.

Pablo has achieved several triumphs throughout his life and has become a  popular figure. He is a lecturer, teacher, writer, actor awarded the Silver Shell at the San Sebastian Festival… But his greatest achievement is, without a doubt, setting an example for those children who will follow him.

The What Really Matters Series presents real-life stories of people who realized their greatest potential despite challenges presented to them. Endorsed by the main characters, it benefits the What Really Matters Foundation, which promotes universal human values by showcasing extraordinary achievements by inspiring people.

Über den Autor

Albert Bosch has a long history as an adventurer and entrepreneur, which includes many extreme challenges such as the crossing of Antarctica, climbing Mount Everest, and 9 participations in the Dakar rally, making history when in 2015 he did it in an electric car. He is an ultra-marathon runner and promotes projects in the field of sustainable energy and the environment. This combined with his work as a writer and lecturer, transmitting values associated with sport, responsible leadership, achievements, motivation, and change management.
María Sala is the coordinator of contents at the studio of the illustrator Pilarin Bayés. She has written several children’s picture books, and collaborates with different publishers for proofreading and coordinating events for the presentation and promotion of publications. She is founder and coordinator of the association ‚Mothers Link‘ (Mares Enllaç) integrating immigrant children into schools and helps the social integration of mothers from the Maghreb.
The award-winning illustrator Silvia Álvarez was born in the tropical coastal city of La Ceiba, Honduras, by a Honduran father and a Spanish mother. At the age of seven, she moved to Spain now living in Seville where she graduated in Fine Arts. She was awarded Gold Medal at the International Latino Book Awards for his artwork in Daisy (Cuento de luz, 2017).