You're a star!
My name is Piyah Martel. I'm 26 years old living in Sacramento, California. I have a birth defect called Caudal Regression Syndrome, which means I was born with a shortened spine, little legs, and I have to use a wheelchair, skateboard or walk on my hands. I don't let anything stop me from doing what I have to do. I'm a singer-songwriter and music video producer. Music is my life and it makes me happy & helps me get through everything. I also produce videos for YouTube.
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I used to be bullied in school because of my birth defect, but I didn't let that bother me. I just kept moving forward. I didn't let anything stop me from doing what I had to do. I just smiled and killed everybody with kindness because having confidence in yourself is very important. I learned that at a young age you should just be yourself. My birth defect didn't stop me from acting like a normal person because to me, I am normal. I just have to get around differently knowing that I had to get around different had a lot of struggles trying to reach places that I couldn't reach because I was too short but I managed because I would always grab ladders or chairs to get the job done. I had a lot of people that bullied me in school. People didn't understand you just need to be kind. A kind attitude changes everything and an understanding of something is always a relief. I'm glad I had parents that helped me with my confidence. Their courage and help in not treating me differently always made me feel good. May both of my parents rest in peace.
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I've been on multiple TV shows, including RuPaul's Drag Race (2009), Bill Cunningham's show (2014) & Barcroft TV. I've made a name for myself and I have many fans whom I call my butterflies. They mean the world to me now. This goes back to being yourself and always loving you for you because you never know what could happen. I'm very blessed for all the experiences I've had and for how many wonderful letters and messages I receive on a daily basis from people that are either struggling with life or parents writing me asking me advice on how I managed with my disability. It's remarkable because I have parents asking me that because their kids have a similar disability. I have many fans who are part of the LGBT community writing in thanking me for being myself because it helps them come out and just be themselves, free and happy. I am a transgender woman and having a birth defect wasn't that easy, but I managed. I'm just happy to have helped the world and make people smile and appreciate themselves. It all starts with love. You can find more of my life on my social media sites. Always love yourself & don't let anything stop you from doing anything because one day it can happen.
