I'm listing below my complete notes because this film is difficult to get hold of.  It is available on video only in the U.S.A which is a pity because the film is well worth seeing and would be very suitable for discussion. (There is a brief sex scene).
Rachel Levin is very good as Gaby. In 1982 actress Rachel Levin found she had Guillain-Barre syndrome which progressed until she was totally paralysed. But over 2 years she did learn to walk again. [see the full article on her in People Weekly; 12/21/1987 ]

The film begins in 1938 with pictures of Jews fleeing Germany. It then jumps to Mexico, 1945 where one well-to-do family has settled.
Three days after Gaby is born the symptoms of cerebral palsy . The parents are told she will be mentally retarded. The doctor says her condition is the result of the "incompatible RH bloodtype" of the mother and father.
Gaby is cared for by the family's maid, Florencia who begins to establish a bond and communcation with Gaby.
The film then jumps to 1964 showing that Gaby is atending an institute for rehabilitation. She uses a wheelchair and communicates by typing with her toes which messages Florencia reads out.
At home she uses an alphabet board. At the 'school' there are some students with real disabilities. Among some of the students there is disquiet that while they are graduating they still remain at school.
Gaby develops a romance with a boy, Fernando, in her class who uses an electric chair.
When the teacher says everyone in the class has passed exam certificate he complains that they keep repeating the same grade. "You give us these stupid grades out of pity." he accuses her. But of another student, Anita, he says, "who cares because the poor handicapped girl will never get anywhere." Anita, he complains, only got the certificate because her mother wanted her to get it. Gaby response is typically learned "The Greeks threw the handicapped off the . . . rocks to get rid of them." And "The normals have nothing over us intellectually."
Fernando calls to the others, "Let's get out of this zoo."
Fernando and Gaby decide they want to go to a normal school. His parents try to separate the two of them and Fernando says "They think it would be cruel for me to go to a normal school."
Fernando's mother then appears to give way after listening to he and Gaby talking on the phone. She suggests setting up a junior high school but Fernando doesn't want any kind of special school. After this illustration of Fernando fighting for his independence we witness his mother giving him a bath.
Gaby's parents struggle to get her into a public school. They are told she would have to pass an equivalency exam. While her parents are seeing the education officials Gaby and Fernando are having sex. Though witnessed by Florencia and Gaby's mother neither interfere.
The two of them study together for the exam though all we see is Gaby's father asking them to name capital cities.
When it's time for the exam Fernando doesn't turn up and Gaby almost despairs.
Later when Gaby goes to Fernando's home his mother says it is his nerves. Fernando storms into the room and accuses his mother of stopping him but it is Fernando himself who thinks he can't do it "I can't do it alone." He cries. And he returns to the rehabilitation centre.
Gaby goes to the university of Mexico (in 1970). She becomes lonely there because though her fellow students are considerate they are not really friends with her. Florencia says people are friendly out of curiosity and then abandon her.
Then a really good looking fellow approaches her. Florencia who still accompanies her is over concerned that Gaby will be hurt again and doesn't bring in her board so she is unable to speak to him.
The new boyfriend appears to be sincere. He takes her to a dance and helps her get an article published. But when she arrives unexpectedly on his doorstep he's not too happy. And when she indicates she wants to be more than friendship he says he doesn't want to be her boyfriend.
In 1979 she has her autobiography published. Her father has already died and in 1982 her mother dies. Gaby and Florencia stay together and adopt a baby girl.