And that’s just the beginning of the places where her grit and determination have carried her. Though the horrific hours of her birth initially drew attention, Gianna has so much more to say: “My life and my story didn’t begin and end at my birth.”

Overcoming the challenges and sharing life in an honest and uplifting way has resonated around the world. Consequently, 2015- 2016 has been filled with speaking engagements, and opportunities, but if there’s been a theme, it’s distinctly Italian. Since 2012 she’s been speaking to millions in that country, sharing her life and faith on the country’s most popular afternoon talk show as well as other media outlets. A reporter for the Italian edition of Vanity Fair visited, writing a profile. Pope Benedict XVI conveyed her inspiring story in the Vatican newspaper.

Italy has been incredibly receptive to Gianna. “Italy has opened their hearts in astonishing ways, and for the glory of God.”

Halls of government have yielded floor time to hear her story as well. Gianna has testified before the Australian Parliament and British House of Commons.

Modern communications take her story where she cannot go herself. Two speeches—one at Yale and another in Australia—have made their way into China because of the connectedness the internet brings. The Yale speech was covered by a blogger whose work is read there. The

Australia speech was filmed without her knowledge and released on YouTube. Every so often, it reappears on the internet and social media.

No matter who the audience, she shares her strong faith. “I’m invading the culture as an unconventional woman, just being me,” she says. “The beautiful thing about having cerebral palsy is it’s part of my sermon. It’s my way of reminding the earth that heaven is real. My legs have become a net to act as a fisher of men.”

While the obstacles she’s overcome have inspiration on their own, she’s also been a living, breathing face to the horrors of abortion. She’s one of the rare survivors and frequently relays her story—speaking for those who can’t speak for themselves.

She’s testified before Congress four times and watched as President George W. Bush signed the Born Alive Infants Protection Act, which provided safeguards for those born during failed abortions. Witnessing such an important moment in protection of the unborn—and meeting the president—left Gianna uncharacteristically speechless.

After the signing, the president visited with her for just a moment. “What he said will remain with me always. The reason is that I’ve never heard these words from a father.
He looked at me and said ‘You are so sweet.’ He repeated, ‘You are so sweet, and I’m not going to let you down.” He then, kissed me on the cheek, hugged me again, and went on his way.”

Across the pond, she had a similar encounter with British Prime Minister Tony Blair. She attended a banquet at which he was the speaker; only five of the 500 in attendance were invited to speak personally with Blair. Gianna, of course, made the short list and was able to tell about her experiences running the London Marathon.

“My friend Tony ( different from Blair) introduced me to eccentric single women, men of great importance, and finally the prime minister and the minister’s wife. She was very kind to me, and somehow, Tony managed to tell everyone we met, that I came to England and ran twenty-six miles, and I was able to tell them of my birth. This was a door only God could open.”

And it was far from the only door open.

Another door flung open with the 2012 movie October Baby, loosely based on her life story. But audiences also saw more than a depiction of Gianna’s birth. They heard her music. The single, “Ocean Floor,” provided one of the emotional touch points during the film and was sung by Gianna.

Music has been a constant and will continue to be, both in America and Italy.

She spoke to the president of a prestigious conservatory in Italy. As most who meet Gianna do, he fell in love with her zeal and passion for life. He also loved her voice and has asked her to sing with a symphony.

For a voice that was never intended to speak, it not only speaks and sings, it laughs. Why? “I am honest, with myself and with Jesus. To the point where one might mistake my honesty for irreverence. But I would rather risk that and give Him my truest self than live life thinly veiled. I find most of life very funny indeed. I would say I laugh most of the time and cry at other times. But the crying is merely sowing seeds of joy for the future. My goal is to live the impossible since nothing is impossible for God.”