October – “Zombie Pool Party”

In July of 2008, I was a passenger on a motorcycle and we were hit by a SUV at a stop sign. Doctors were able to save my leg but a year later there was still no healing of the bones. In October 2009, I made the decision to amputate my left leg and became an “above knee amputee”. December 7, 2009, I took my first steps on my new prosthetic leg after a year and a half of walking on crutches, and haven’t stopped yet! And now Im learning to run again and training to run my first 5k.

  In Sept 2012 I graduated nursing school. I hope as an amputee and my experience as nurse, I will be better able to help my patients. I am the secretary of an amputee support group, Amputee Connection. I am also a certified amputee peer-visitor for PossAbilities at Loma Linda University Medical Center.

I am a incomplete quadriplegic, August 31, 2008 I was diagnosed with a staph infection which turned into a epidural abscess C4-T7. At first, I was fully paralyzed from the neck down and after a few months I started gaining movement in my arms and upper body.Before I went paralyzed, I was going down a wrong path in life, associating with the wrong kind of people, and making bad life decisions. When the accident first happened I didn’t understand why this had to happen to me. It was hard to accept. I guess you could call this unfortunate situation a blessing in disguise because after four years I have filtered out the people who don’t really care about me, and instead, surrounded myself with inspirational, positive, and intelligent people. I am finally starting to find a passion in modeling and trying to experience new things I never thought possible.A personal quest of mine is to bring awareness to the public and other disabled people. I want to show them that it is possible to achieve your goals and also show them that you can live your life the way you want and do the things you want to do. You just have to just have to put you mind to it, stay positive and live life without fear.

Everyone knows that high school is a time that starts the shaping of the beginning of ones adult life. Well on Oct. 15 1992 was the day that my life took shape that I was not prepared for at the age of 14.  I had just got dressed from playing in my high school football game and wanted to get something to eat. My uncle & I made our way to a nearby fast-food spot. Just as we turned into the driveway we were rear ended by a pickup truck… Unfortunately just before the impact I unbuckled my seat belt, which allowed me to fly forward from the impact. Then me hitting the dashboard causing me to sustain a cervical injury…  Just 2 weeks before my 15^th birthday I never would have thought that would have been the last time I ran up & down a football field.

The game of life for me had just begun…. After having almost a year out of school to recover. I worked to graduate on time with my class. I then pushed myself into attending Cal State University Northridge. Where not all of college life was great, it did leave me with some fun memories.

Many people say that I have a great spirit or how is it that I keep a smile on my face. My response is I’m human just like you!  Except I’m allergic to stairs (lmao)…. I am just blessed to have a wonderful support system of family & friends. Plus a lil prayer every now & then doesn’t hurt.

It seems as if it was just yesterday as I embark on another year of living with a SCI. I never knew that there were so many wonderful, talented ( like Andrew …lol), & determined individuals within  the SCI community. I plan to help not only spread the word but show society that there are no limits to what we can do!

 

 

 

CREATIVE DESIGN / MAKEUP

Bobbie Eller – DLM Creative Designer

 

 

 

 

 

PHOTOGRAPHY / PHOTO EDITING / STORY SHOOT DESIGN

Andrew Angulo – DLM

As every shoot, Bobbie and I are immensely proud and excited for new photo set releases. However, this shoot is near and dear to our hearts. This was a shoot design we had talked about doing since the beginning of our conversations of doing photos and makeup. It’s so warming to know that we have did it!

Bobbie and I have many more ideas that we cannot wait to showcase! But we need your support! Sponsor a DLM photo shoot and support our cause to creating unique image involving people with disabilities to show the whole world that we may be disabled, but we are THIS-Abled to matter!

 

 

An incredible amount of thanks goes to our production assistance crew. Seriously guys, Bobbie and I are so thankful for the time and efforts you put into this shoot to help us and our models make this successful!

Lastly, a thank you to my father, Robert Angulo for his support on this shoot.

Megan Eller – Joel Gastil – Courtney Johnson – Ethan Angulo – Carmen Zarcone – Robert Angulo