COVER FEATURE BY MARCELA MARAÑON
Journey of a Brave Woman I was born in Ica, Peru. I’m the oldest child of 6. I always remember spending every summer at the beach with my grandparents, siblings, and cousins. We always stayed for a month to spend family time together and see our friends. My childhood friends are a very important part of my life and I will always cherish the moments I shared with them. When we meet, we always remember what we did when we were younger and its always a great fun moment filled with laughter and joy. I would say to anyone to make the best memories with your friends and family, someday you
“When I found out I lost my boyfriend I was heartbroken. It was more painful than losing a limb or the ability to walk again.”
will look back and realize that your life wasn’t as bad as you thought because you were surrounded by love and support.
dead too. When I was told that I would be paralyzed for the
M O V I N G T O DAL L A S
rest of my life and lost my limb I was devastated. I cried and
A year after moving to Dallas I was involved in a car accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down. I also lost my left leg and my boyfriend passed away due to a drunk driver. At the age of twenty, I endured the most excruciating pain any young girl can endure.
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I questioned many times, ‘Why me? Why him?’ I wanted to be
thought, what I’m a going to do now? I won’t ever walk again. I won’t be able to do anything. I felt ugly for not having a limb but something in my heart was telling me, you’ll be okay. It’s going to be okay. My goal was to take back my life back; to do as much as I could do as a physically challenged woman and get my independence back.
ELLA Inspires Magazine
