My Wheelchair Is Not An Obstacle
With a background in fashion, I am passionate about inclusive fashion and leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I live in London and am passionate about sharing my knowledge and life experiences to raise awareness of inclusion, fashion, and healthy lifestyles. I have been in a wheelchair since 1992 and played wheelchair tennis from 2003 until 2009 representing Brazil and winning a doubles silver medal at the 2007 Para Pan Am Games. I am living proof that a wheelchair does not have to be an obstacle to achieving any of my goals. Born in 1978 in Osorio-Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil, my life changed forever at the tender age of 14 when a bullet wound left me paraplegic.
My Achievements Make Me Feel Optimistic For My Future
Before my injury, I was a model and very active, playing handball and tennis. Since my accident I have worked in politics, played tennis at the highest level, and performed in the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony among many other achievements. I can now look back proudly at what I have already achieved since my accident and have every reason to feel optimistic about the future. I love to travel, going to watch live music, visit family and friends and be as active as possible. I go to the cinema, enjoy eating out and exploring different restaurants and cuisines. I am on the books of Visable, an agency that specializes in the placement of disabled artists: http://visablepeople.com.
Models of Diversity: Wheelchair Users Model
Many people dream of being a model. Not so long ago, a career in modeling would have been completely unthinkable for wheelchair users. As a model, I am subjected to exactly the same demands as every other model. In other words, I have to be very disciplined when it comes to my diet, I have to be active, and, of course, I have to look after my appearance. I am proud to be an ambassador for Models of Diversity which leads a campaign for more diversity in the models we see every day. Models of Diversity call on the fashion, beauty and marketing industries to recognise the beauty in people of all races, ages, shapes, sizes and abilities: http://www.modelsofdiversity.org
Modeling At London Fashion Week
I recently achieved a dream of modeling a collection at London Fashion Week. For more information about my work go to www.samantabullock.com. I am also using instagram to promote inclusive fashion and give ideas on what disabled people can wear. I also post content regularly on my You Tube channel demystifying life as a wheelchair user and giving insight into fashion and disability with a focus on inclusion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vfb3CRcnV8
Picture Credit:
Heber Barros
