A Food Stand Started by His Mom Is Helping This 14-Year-Old With Autism Thrive

Special needs parents always have to be one step ahead and look for creative ways to help their child through life. From when they are younger, through their adult years. One California woman, Bree Juan, has found a great way to help her 14-year-old son with autism, Sky, thrive. He is helping her with her business, BreeSky’s Quesadillas.

Bree and her son, Sky, head out every weekend to serve customers. They are set up in Koreatown every other Saturday, and have pop-ups in Santa Ana on Sundays. They started the business with just one tent, one pan, and a cooler.

The Food Stand Isn’t Just About Making Money

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“We would go out from 9 a.m. all the way to 7 p.m., and we would sell like one quesadilla. Maybe three,” Bree said. “It was very, very, very hard.”

Now, there are long lines and days when they sell out. But for Bree, the quesadilla stand isn’t just about making money; it is a way to help her son.

Sky has autism, and life has been more difficult for him than it is for other children. Every day tasks and situations can be harder for kids on the spectrum. From making friends to learning life’s lessons.

She Told Her Son He Can Do It, and Now the Teen With Autism is Thriving

For Bree, she has always looked out for her son. She moved him to a new school district after years of bullying, and he started to thrive. He’s also taking college classes at just 14 years of age. And of course, helping with the family business.

“I told him he can do it,” she said. “Just because you have autism doesn’t mean you’re not capable of learning and doing everything.”

Sky helps with the business by taking orders and processing payments, which Bree feels has helped him build social skills and independence.

Many Have Come to Support Their Business

As the business blew up on social media, people and other single moms, as well as families with children who also have autism, have come to support them.

“I wanted to come support,” Laura, who has a grandson with autism, says.

“I’m a single mom of two boys, so I do hustles,” another customer, Tina Cline, shares. “But I’m proud of her. Soon she will have her own restaurant.” 

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Special needs parents have to walk that fine line between protecting their child and pushing them to learn something new that will build confidence and other life skills. “For the longest time, I kept him in a shell,” Bree shares. “Now I realize he can do it.”

We wish her and Sky the best as they continue their business, and we hope and pray they get that restaurant one day.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

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h/t: KTLA 5

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/KTLA 5

Julie Provost is a GodUpdates staff writer and editor. She lives in Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and little dog Max. She loves to read, go to the movies, and enjoy time with family and friends.