The Power in Adversity
On June 22, 2016 Margarita Elizondo was a single mother of 3 when a man broke into her home and shot her in the neck. The bullet exited back severing her spinal cord leaving her paralyzed from the neckline down. Her unborn child did not survive.
Tragedy to Thrive
Margarita began speaking four months after her injury and two years later founded Blessed with Life, a faith based peer support group for individuals with disabilities and their families. She was crowned Ms. Wheelchair California in 2013 and has received numerous recognitions throughout the years for her work in the community. The most recent, Union Bank & Channel KPBS, Hero of the Year Award 2016.
Adversity Empowers Purpose
Her passion for helping others and refusal to be a victim of circumstance is what has thrust her into the limelight. As a motivational speaker Margarita teaches people that adversity is not something you overcome, she says, “... it marks you for life. It molds you, preparing you, so that your purpose in life is more powerful.” She is a regular guest speaker at San Diego State University, for a Sociology course, Disability and Society. As a power wheelchair Model, Margarita is breaking down social barriers and advocating for full inclusion in fashion. She is doing more of the same in media as producer and podcast host of Wheel Talk Wheel Issues, which informs, inspires, and creates awareness on issues related to life as a wheelchair user.
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