I
am Velky Janina Sánchez Faerron , the finalist from Costa Rica in the Miss Wheelchair World 2022 pageant . I am 51 years old and I was born with spina bifida ( sequel to myelomeningocele ).
Being born with a disability has never been an obstacle to achieving my goals . Though the process of achieving them was made longer and more complex than if there was no disability involved , through perseverance and tenacity I continued working to achieve success .
When I was born , the doctors informed my mother of my medical issues , explaining that I was not expected to live long , nor would I learn to walk and I would have an intellectual disability . They suggested adoption as a possible option for her . Thankfully , my mother did not agree . She helped me get ahead with therapies and medical care and taught me to walk by the time I was 2 . Through preschool , then primary school , I was like any other girl . I was outgoing and participated in all the extracurricular activities available .
In high school , my disability began to progress . At the age of 15 , doctors amputated the 5 toes on my left foot . I would go on to have
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