Latinas With Disabilities Making an Impact in the Beauty and Fashion Industry

(Photo : Reuters)

Movies like "Split" and "Me Before You" had always shown the negative aspects of disabilities and that nothing good can be taken from it. The movies are far from the realities of those who are suffering from a disability. The real stories of people with disabilities are much more diverse and colorful compared to the ones portrayed in many films. In real life, the majority of these people make most out of their available resources and transforms their disability into their greatest aspect as a person.

The following are some of the Latinas with disabilities who are making a name in the world as beauty and fashion icons:

1. Tamara Mena

She is one of the Latinas making a name in the fashion industry. She was born in Leon, Mexico. She also grew up in the same place. She migrated to the United States when she was thirteen years old. She speaks both Spanish and English languages. She currently works as a motivational speaker, model, and actress. She aims to promote the rights of the disabled through social media posts. 

She was nineteen years old when she got into an accident while riding a car. It left her paralyzed from her chest to her toes. The accident ended the life of her late boyfriend. 

Years after the accident, she had made it her life's mission to promote the well-being of people with disabilities. She even participated in a well-known pageant called Nuestra Belleza Latina. She was the first disabled person to participate in the event's history. 

2. Jillian Mercado

Jillian Mercado is an African-Latino descent who had been prospering in her modeling career after being cast in a Diesel Jeans' ad campaign. She was born with the illness of muscular dystrophy. It is a genetic disorder that progressively causes the weakening and reduction of muscle mass. She currently uses her position in the industry to serve as the voice of people with disabilities and make a significant impact on the fashion world as part of the community of the disabled community. Currently, she is working with Target and other huge brands.

3. Marimar Quiroa

She is a social media star that had made a name through creating beautiful and extravagant eyeshadow makeup looks. She is one of the Latinas that aims to promote the beauty of the disabled. She was born with a Cystic Hygroma which is a facial tumor. She is unable to speak because of the disease so she used sign language to communicate. After discovering the opportunities she can grab through makeup, she instantly made her way to become one of the famous makeup artists stars on YouTube and Instagram.

4. Christina Feliz

She works as a model and a makeup artist in Santa Fe, Mexico. Her makeup looks are inspired by her illness. Her illness had made it impossible for her to work full time as a model. Currently, she works part-time modeling gigs and works full-time as a makeup artist. She uses products that highlight the beauty of people with similarities to her illness.

5. Dru Presta

Dru Presta was born with a type of dwarfism. She stands at 3 feet and 4 inches. She promotes the beauty of Latinas of different shapes and sizes.She works as a model and aims to make a change in the fashion industry. In the past, she was bullied by kids near her age. She tried her best to stay away from other kids. Currently, she uses her career in the fashion industry to show that sexy can be seen in different sizes.