Alexandra Santibanez, a beautiful healthy girl born in Miami, FL on October 3rd 1982. My first 5 years growing up were as normal as can be, I started school and began making new friends. On the morning of June 3, 1988 my life changed in an instant, my mother and I were involved in a car accident. A 52-year-old lady, in a hurry to get to the mall, ran the red light. Our vehicle was thrown head-on into a concrete wall. The car was so mangled rescue had to use the Jaws of Life to get us out. My mother and I had to be air lifted to the trauma center, when we arrived at the hospital they rushed my mother to the ER because they thought she was the one with the life threatening injuries. The doctors just took a quick glimpse at me, and said to my grandmother “Your granddaughter is ok.” Not knowing I was suffering from internal bleeding. My grandmother knew something was clearly wrong with me when she looked at my face and I was so pale. Something triggered her and she decided to flip me over, and when she did I had a massive bulge of blood on the lower part of my spinal cord. I was told I would be bound to a wheelchair for life, my doctors told me my level of injury is a T3; which left me paralyzed from the waist down. At that moment I didn’t understand what was happening, I was so young and all I wanted to do was leave the hospital and be home playing like a kid should be.
After living at the hospital for 6 months and spending my 6th birthday there, it was time to go home. My new life had begun, my mom is a very strong woman and at the time of our accident she was only 27 yrs old. When we got back home, we had to adapt to new adjustments in my life, I had to learn to maneuver myself around in a wheelchair, which was totally awkward for me since I was always such an active little girl, always running and jumping around. I had to learn to dress myself, bathe, and so many new obstacles you don’t realize until you’re in this position. This was all a new beginning for me. I had therapy 3 times a week, work out my legs so I wouldn’t lose muscle mass, as well as well as many other activities therapists had me do. This was not fun, but I recall the therapist making all my exercises as fun as possible, especially for a 6 year old who’s only thinking of playing with barbie's and dolls. I contnued to be the rambunctious 6-year old I always was. Despite my circumstances, I have never allowed anything or anyone to impinge on my appetite for life. I attended school, participated in extra-curricular activities, continued to make new friends, and simply embraced life. My family is a HUGE part of my life, and I don’t know where I would be without them. I have an older sister who has always been there for me, and during my younger years she was very involved in my life. She's 9 years older, so I have always looked up to her. I recall when she would take me out whether it was the mall, beach, and even out with her friends I always thought it was so cool because she was older and would drive me anywhere I wished to go. I have a younger brother who’s 11 years younger than me, and I have always thought of him as my baby. I recall when my brother was 2 yrs old, and I would have to change his diaper, get him dressed, feed him, and of course play with him. Despite my condition, I was able to do it all for him. Like I said, nothing stops me! My uncle is another very important person in my life, and he’s my #1 supporter in anything I wish to concur. Every time I go to him with an idea or something I wish to do he always tells me “Go for it!” and a smile to back it up.
My mom is my world, she raised me and made me the woman I am today. I honestly don't know where I would be without her. She is my true inspiration and I continue to learn more and more from her as I get older. Another important woman in my life is my grandmother. She's simply an amazing woman who has also taught me so much about life, I love and admire her dearly.
When I went to high school, I was just like the other teenagers, having boy issues, going out with my friends on the weekends, partying, having sleepovers, movie night, and so on. When I turned 15, I told my mom I wanted to get my restricted and that I needed an instructor to teach me how to drive. After many classes, and much practice I took my driver’s test and passed! Overall, learning how to drive with hand controls was not difficult at all. At that time, we had a mini-van where a ramp would slide out from underneath the. After a year of having my restricted, I was ready for my license! Once receiving my license and being a 16 year old, I did not want to be driving around in a mini-van, because of course at that age it’s not “cool” so I had to learn how to drive a car, transfer in and out of the car, disassemble my chair and put piece by piece in my car. I won’t lie, it was quite a challenge for a few months getting my chair in and out of the car, but I would always tell myself “Either you learn how to do this, or you’ll be driving a mini-van everywhere you go.” I’m very determined and when I want something I strive for everything and anything…nothing stops me! I saw my friends participate in sport activities I also wanted to be involved and I was. I tried out for cheerleading and became a Cheerleader for the basketball team. During my senior year I was nominated for prom queen and won. I must say it was a fun and exciting night for me, and definitely unforgettable! Till this day, if I run into an old friend from high school they remember me winning prom queen!” It always brings a smile to my face.
I went off to college where I lived on my own with my two dogs (Sasha and Princess). I studied Fashion Merchandising, fashion is my passion and earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion was the start to an amazing career. I was Assistant Coordinator at the Española Way Fashion Show and also at the Opium Garden Photo Shoot. My years during College were a lot of fun, I dated and began living life. I started going out with friends more often (I guess the normal college life like everyone calls it), and concentrated on my career path. My senior year at the University, I interned at a Miami’s premiere Fashion & Entertainment Magazine where I was later hired as Project Manager. I worked for the magazine for two years and it was truly AMAZING! Between the long hours of work, stress, and amount of work that had to get done because of deadlines, it really taught me so much about life. Of course, this job had its perks, partying and going to events was one of them. I felt as I was living the life of Anne Hathaway in “The Devil wears Prada."
Throughout the years, I have participated in fashion and beauty contests to develop my career as a model. I won Ms. Photogenic, and was 3rd runner up in the Miss Cuban/American Beauty Pageant. I won an achievement award in which former Mayor Raul Martinez from the city of Hialeah presented me with a certificate of appreciation in recognition for my valuable contribution to the Hispanic community. Today I model handbags for candywoolley.com and I am a model and member of Team Colours, Colours is a company who builds amazing chairs to fit your personality. www.colourswheelchair.com
I must say one of the reason’s I have kept such a positive and upbeat attitude in life has been my family. My parents have always been there for me, and have always told me I can do anything and everything anybody else can do and much more.
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