By: Maria Williams
When Michella Filipowitz moved from Miami to Sydney, she knew she’d face the usual struggles of relocating to a new country. But nothing could have prepared her for the unique challenges of raising her son, who has autism, as a single mother. Instead of letting these obstacles get the best of her, Michella decided to take action and co-founded the DR Family Foundation in Australia.
Michella’s background as a model, business owner, and philanthropist reflects her deep commitment to making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities. Becoming a single mother at 23 and facing her son’s autism diagnosis fueled her determination to create positive change for others in similar situations.
Through her foundation, Filipowitz is making a tangible impact. The DR Family Foundation helps cover school fees for children with disabilities who might otherwise be excluded from education. Additionally, Michella is working on a new project: a shelter set to open next summer that will support children from less fortunate backgrounds.
“This shelter is more than just a place to stay,” Filipowitz says. “We want to create a community where these kids can feel safe and get the help they need.”
Michella’s drive to help comes from her own experiences and her deep empathy for other families. “I want to bring my personal understanding and support to the community,” she explains.
Watching her son play alone while other kids interacted made Filipowitz realize how much more needs to be done in our schools and society. Even though 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with autism today, many still face isolation and limited opportunities.
“In Australia, the support for kids with disabilities isn’t as strong as it was in Miami,” she notes. “Finding a school that will accept my son has been incredibly challenging, especially now that he’s about to start kindergarten.”
She recalls her frustration with private schools that turned away her son, citing a lack of resources and willingness to help. “Many mainstream schools shy away from kids on the spectrum, thinking they might be too disruptive,” she says. Filipowitz believes that isolating these children in special schools is not the solution.
To improve things, Filipowitz advocates for more inclusive classrooms where all students learn to respect and appreciate each other. “These kids don’t choose their challenges,” she emphasizes. “They’re born with them, and it’s up to us to support and include them.”
In Miami, Filipowitz found a supportive school that helped her son Benjamin make incredible progress—he began speaking, reading, and developing new skills. This experience showed her that integrating children with disabilities into regular schools can lead to better outcomes.
Recently, Filipowitz’s efforts in Sydney paid off when Benjamin was accepted into a public school, marking a significant milestone.
“I was overwhelmed with joy and ended up crying in the car,” Filipowitz shares. “The principal was amazing and told me that other kids with disabilities are also thriving at the school.”
Filipowitz dreams of an education system where children with disabilities are fully included and encouraged to interact with their peers.
Understanding that real change takes time, Filipowitz is actively working towards this vision with the DR Family Foundation. Besides supporting education, the foundation will soon start a soccer team for children with disabilities, creating opportunities for them to connect and build friendships.
“I want this to be a place where everyone feels they belong and are valued,” she concludes. Her goal is to build a community where every child, no matter their abilities or background, has the chance to succeed.
Michella’s personal challenges have only strengthened her resolve to help other families. To follow her inspiring journey and learn more about her work, check out her Instagram @princessmichella.
Published By: Aize Perez
