Design at IED . In the summer of 2016 , I graduated with a thesis and my own fashion collection .
After graduation , I spent a lot of time in the gym doing fitness , cross fit , and yoga while searching for a job . Looking back , I am thankful for taking good care of my body and health . I often think its the reason I survived .
In December 2016 , I traveled to Bacelona for a weekend of skiing . Unfortunately , this trip also resulted in a traumatic accident that changed my life forever . I slipped away on ice and fell . The fall collapsed my lungs and broke all my ribs and my spine . I sustained a spinal cord injury resulting in the loss of use of my legs .
A month after surviving my accident in Spain , I transferred back to The Netherlands . My rehabilitation completed after three months ; however , it extended as there was no place for me to live . I became homeless . My parents could not afford to support me , and the bureaucracy got me into impossible situations . After two years of struggling on the street , I finally found a living space where I could live independently as a wheelchair user . I faced discrimination , vandalism and lack of inclusion on multiple levels . With a lot of effort , I now have a part-time job at a nonprofit agency helping to improve living conditions for civilians .
During my rehabilitation , I began sharing short texts on social media sharing my situation . It was important to me to express myself through writing and drawing . I began searching for examples of other young women in similar situations , but I could not find much available . I decided to become the one I was looking for : a strong , independent woman in a wheelchair . I wanted to show the world that life does not end after sustaining a spinal cord injury . People often tell me I am either “ Too pretty to be in a wheelchair ” or “ I would not want to live if that happened to me .” Comments like these motivate me to change people perceptions of individuals with a disability . I have had many conversations with different people and hope that by addressing subjects like accessibility , disability , and inclusion to inspire others .
During the past five years , I have grown my online presence , and told my story in various famous magazines . I became a model though I know it is not something I can make a living on . I have noticed more brands and companies are starting to open up to the idea of a disabled model , but it is still not common . I rolled down the catwalk in Rome one year after my accident . Last year I did my first commercial for Libresse . I also participated in a TV show where they challenged me to perform on a stage along with professional dancers . I take every opportunity that comes my way , and this year , I look forward to the Miss Wheelchair World event .
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Miss Wheelchair World USA 83