Our Story:

Kim Pabón – Mother, Survivor, and Founder of BarnShine

From a very young age, I learned how to fight. I was a gymnast for over 10 years, proudly representing Puerto Rico in national and international competitions, earning multiple championships. Discipline, courage, and determination became a part of me early on.

Motivated by a desire to serve and protect others, I chose to study Law Enforcement & investigations. I envisioned a future where I could make a difference through that path… but life had other plans.

At 18, my life took an unexpected turn. My lung collapsed twice in less than two months, and doctors had to remove part of my right lung to save me. From that moment on, my health began to deteriorate: multiple surgeries, unexplained diagnoses, and eventually, a brain tumor that affected my hormonal system. I was told I would never become a mother. I also faced complications with my reproductive system, and a pregnancy seemed medically impossible.

But God had other plans. At 27, against all odds, I became pregnant unexpectedly, just as I was leaving a long relationship marked by domestic violence. In the midst of the pandemic, I lost both of my jobs, and my pregnancy became high-risk. I was hospitalized for the last three months, with no baby shower, no visitors, and isolated under COVID protocols. However, I was not completely alone, my mother was my angel. She worked remotely from the hospital and, thanks to a medical exception, was allowed to live with me during that time, though she wasn’t allowed to leave and return.

My son arrived prematurely in December 2020. He spent two weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and each day was a new test of faith.

I thought the hardest part was over, but it was only just beginning. Around his first birthday, I noticed developmental regression. That’s when the journey began; countless appointments with specialists. At age two, he was diagnosed with autism. Since then, our life has been filled with medical appointments, genetic studies, and more than five therapy sessions per week.

I’ve never left my son with anyone. We’ve never been apart. But that also meant I had to stop working, live on minimal Social Security income, and face everything without financial stability. One day, exhausted and overwhelmed, I said, “I can’t do this anymore.” But right then, my bravest decision was born: to create something that could support us… and also impact other families like mine.

That’s how BarnShine was born a purpose-driven project, born from love, struggle, and hope. Inspired by my son, but created to raise the voices of so many more families. Because while he is my reason, my purpose is to give everything for him and for those who still don’t have a voice.

BarnShine is not just a business.

It’s a way to heal, to be seen, and to embrace the silent fight of so many mothers, fathers, and children.

It is my story, my legacy… and my way of continuing to shine, even through the darkness.

Vision

At BarnShine, our vision is to bring light, comfort, and purpose to families navigating life with a child with special needs, starting from the very beginning. Our mission is to create and deliver personalized sensory kits for hospitalized children with autism, along with carefully designed care packages for NICU moms. These packages offer emotional support and essential items that remind mothers they are seen, valued, and not alone during one of the most vulnerable chapters of their lives.

As part of our commitment to representation and impact, we are working to expand this initiative and reach families in Puerto Rico, where access to special needs support is often limited. Every product we offer helps fund these donations.

Beyond the donations, we envision BarnShine’s unique lifestyle products like rash-guard shirts, hoodies, and accessories; available in surf shops, boutiques, and airports. We want our brand to be the meeting point between adventure and empathy, blending functionality, style, and heart. Whether someone is shopping on vacation or on their way to visit a loved one, we want BarnShine to stand as a symbol of family, resilience, and purpose.

Because at BarnShine, we don’t shine just for ourselves; we shine for every warrior and caregiver whose story inspires us.