Aimee Hofmann(01 of19)
Open Image Modal"Instead of being ashamed of my disability, I am learning to own it and today have the strongest sense of self - Ever. I am proud to say we are finally entering a new era when people are realizing that beauty comes in all different shapes, sizes and colors."
Aimee is paraplegic and has Transverse Myelitis. (credit:Alex Barberio)
Andrea Dalzell(02 of19)
Open Image Modal"I use my wheelchair not as a seat but a tool with which I weave through obstacles and speed past situations meant to slow me down."
Andrea has Transverse Myelitis. (credit:Paula Vasone)
Angela Rockwood(03 of19)
Open Image Modal"Life is a gift and what we do with it, is our gift back to the world, to others and to ourselves."
Angela has a spinal cord injury. (credit:Suzan Jones)
Carlana Stone(04 of19)
Open Image Modal"I went from cheerleader to paraplegic.
"My identity, once based solely on my physicality was now changed. In one fell swoop, I had to redefine who I was."
Carlana has a spinal cord injury. (credit:Michael Haber)
Cheryl Price(05 of19)
Open Image Modal"Living with a disability has without a doubt shaped who I am and how I view the world, however my disability does not define me."
Cheryl has had a spinal cord injury since birth. (credit:Carolina Del Rivero)
Christy Cruz(06 of19)
Open Image Modal"I feel like I am a groundbreaker, a woman who is filled with a multitude of expressions and has elegance and integrity."
Christy has cerebral palsy. (credit:Yachin Parham)
Danielle Sheypuck(07 of19)
Open Image Modal"With my Louboutins strapped on for the fight, I am calling for a revolutionary change of image in our society for people with disabilities; building our dateable self-esteem; and promoting our value as relationship partners, as well as models and consumers in the beauty and fashion industry."
Danille has spinal muscular atrophy. (credit:George Whiteside)
Deborah Mellen(08 of19)
Open Image Modal"I fell in love with sailing, water was an element that offered me the physical freedom I could no longer find. However I dreamt of sailing in a bigger way."
Deborah is paraplegic. (credit:Ginny Dixon)
Donna Walton(09 of19)
Open Image Modal"I have taken refuge in remembering that life is not how you survive the storm but more how you dance in the rain. I have taken the shattered pieces of my life and created a tapestry made of pieces woven together to create beauty and power in the way I experience my disability—on one leg."
Donna is an amputee, due to cancer. (credit:Paul Morse)
Emily Ladau(10 of19)
Open Image Modal"I firmly believe in using the term 'wheelchair user' instead of 'wheelchair bound' or 'confined to a wheelchair'. To me, a wheelchair is an empowering source of freedom and independence."
Emily has Larsen syndrome. (credit:Carey Wagner)
Emily Sciarretta(11 of19)
Open Image Modal"I’ve learned that my diagnosis or medical condition shouldn’t define you: I define me!"
Emily has a rare genetic disorder.
Katherine Crawford(12 of19)
Open Image Modal"Adventures which led me to a door...of which only one foot stepped through.
"My goal is to help differently abled youth achieve their dreams in the creative and performing arts."
Katherine has had her lower left leg amputated. (credit:Daryl Henderson)
Kelly Rouba(13 of19)
Open Image Modal"I refuse to let arthritis stop me from achieving my dreams--even if it means having to think outside the box in order to accomplish my goals... And while arthritis may slow down some people, you will never see grass growing between my wheels!"
Kelly has juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. (credit: Alex Barberio)
Kitty Lunn(14 of19)
Open Image Modal"I had to learn to know my place, and go out and take my place, so I could learn to dance in the body I have, in order to lead the life I was born to live."
Kitty is paraplegic.
Maggie Redden(15 of19)
Open Image Modal"I have never let my disability define me and owe a lot of my uniqueness to it. I have been asked that if I could change things, would I? Absolutely not!"
Maggie is paraplegic due to polio. (credit:Rabbitt and Bond)
Michele Boardman(16 of19)
Open Image Modal"To be honest, I don't think of myself as an inspiration, I am simply making the most out of what I was given. I am not content with just existing. I am determined to live."
Michelle has muscular dystrophy. (credit:Ken Pao)
Sara Tabor(17 of19)
Open Image Modal"I tried sled hockey four years ago, after trying another sport and wanting more excitement. Even though it's a difficult sport (and I had the hardest time staying upright!), I fell in love with it immediately... and I continuously discover more fun things to try every day."
Sarah is paraplegic. (credit:Jeremy Sailing)
Tracy Schmitt(18 of19)
Open Image Modal"Speaker…facilitator…athlete…artist…I was born a four way amputee and both my legs end above the knee. "My 40+ years have seen more experiences than most people manage in a lifetime."
Tracy Schmitt is a four way amputee. (credit:Ginny Dixon)
Wendy Crawford(19 of19)
Open Image Modal"These women demonstrate that anything is possible. They represent the raw beauty and strength that is inside each and every one of us. "I am honored to be included in this sisterhood, of this group of amazing, unstoppable women, proud now to be 'one of them'."
(credit:Walter Chin)