Hello , I am Sandy Fiorella Izquierdo Tafur . I am 32 years old and was born in the region of Lima Provinces , Chancay . I lived with my parents in Irrigación Santa Rosa , a valley dedicated to agriculture and the cultivation of citrus and other fruits . My parents are the greatest example of perseverance , respect and love and have helped me become the woman I am today .
At the end of my school years , I traveled to the capital of Peru , Lima , for university studies . I decided to study for a career in education and contribute positively to the development of people . I graduated with a degree in education , then I did a master ’ s degree in Evaluation and Accreditation of Educational Quality . I believe it is my vocation for education that has allowed me to grow as a person . In my time as a teacher , I ’ ve had the opportunity to work as an educational coach for a team of teachers of the Innova Schools network . Education is the fundamental piece to generating change in society .
I am married to David Melgarejo , a wonderful person who , for 15 years , has taught me the meaning of love . We met at university and since then he has become my life partner . Together , we have a daughter , Thais . Thais is a wonderful little girl who gave me the joy of becoming a mother , who is my strength and my greatest reason to enjoy life and follow my dreams .
2016 was a year of great change in my life . In January , David and I married and started a new life with hopes of forming our own family .
Seven months later I suffered a car accident that resulted in a spinal cord injury , and incomplete paraplegia at the T11 - L1 level . From that moment my life changed . It has been a process of acceptance and adaptation to my new physical condition . I must admit , the beginning was very difficult for me , but for family and friends . I had to learn to perform daily activities such as sitting alone , changing and the use of a wheelchair . In the beginning , I had not yet considered the wheelchair as part of my life .
After a period of months , I had to face , with greater strength , a return to independence . I had to face the reality of society and know that in my country we must still work for the improvement of people with reduced mobility .
As the months passed , I became pregnant and started a new adventure waiting for the arrival of our daughter . With a lot of care and all the illusion , my little girl was born . Finding myself in a wheelchair was not an obstacle , nor a reason for sadness because we learned to adapt together . She is an incredibly independent and full of love little girl who enjoys her childhood . In our home , we try to live with respect and equality , knowing that having a disability does not limit you from doing everything you want to .
This is how the opportunity arose to participate in an inclusion event , Miss Wheelchair Peru . In charge was the Asprod Association led by the activist Alan Cooper , who gave us a space to share with different girls of our country , living together and learning from their courage to face all the adversities in their lives . This event was a wonderful experience for me . From it , I strengthened my goal of seeking a more inclusive society , without stereotypes , with respect and equal opportunities . Today , being the voice of women wheelchair users in my country , I seek to participate in various projects that help people with disabilities fully integrate into our society through education .
Never stop , be constant , sure of your convictions and you will be able to achieve all your goals .
The wheelchair will not be an obstacle , but your compliment to teaching you to value diversity and show only your ability .
Miss Wheelchair World USA 95