Ligia Andrade : Peer Support Volunteer
Meet Ligia. She is a mother of two handsome boys (Duran 12 and Javier 7), a recent Masters Degree graduate in Public Administration from Notre Dame de Namur University, and worked in juvenile probation division of San Mateo County. Ligia was injured in a car accident eight months ago as she and her boys were driving only a few minutes from their home. Ligia suffered a C5/6 broken vertebrae. Her oldest son, Duran, pulled his brother from their car, then called for help. Luckily, her boys escaped injury.
Ligia loves dancing, exercise, and has maintained a healthy fitness level, which doctors say helped her to survive this devastating blow to her body.
Although it has only been eight months since her accident, Ligia is well on her way to rebuilding a new life for herself and sons. She volunteers to help others with a spinal injury and serves on the board of directors for Teen Pregnancy Coalition. Most of all, she is devoted to raising her sons to become great men.
Ligia - About Me
Ligia is a radiant young lady with lots of optimism and strength, yet she is vulnerable to the realities of living with paralysis. For example, being fed is an intimate experience to her, and one that only a very few close family and friends can do. She speaks of being completely independent and self supporting after high school, putting herself through college, and then graduate school, all without asking for assistance. Her independent streak has made the transition of moving in with her mom difficult.
As Ligia's professional life continues to develop, her social life is beginning to take shape. She has a passion for shopping and enjoys evenings out with friends. She helps support patients in the hospital, and she is closely connected to her sons and family.
How an SCI changed my life.
Ligia, we are encouraged by your strength, faith, brilliant mind and perseverance to lead a full life. We know you will succeed in making the world a better place.
Quote from Oakland Tribune, Feb 21, 2009 by Jessica Bernstein-Wax
Before the accident, Ligia was an avid runner who spent every other day at the gym and dedicated much of her free time to local nonprofits and community groups while holding down a full-time job with the San Mateo County Probation Department, Miguel said. She recently earned a master's degree in public administration and served on the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women.
About my adaptive equipment.
"She is a vibrant person," Miguel said. "For an individual who has gone through that, I'm amazed at how she's taking it. She has the attitude that she wants to walk."
Robin Sohnen, executive director and founder of the South San Francisco-based nonprofit Each One Reach One, said Ligia spent one night a week teaching teen pregnancy prevention to young girls at the county's juvenile hall for her organization.
My thoughts on my future, a cure for SCI, and what having an SCI has taught me.
"Ligia is an amazing young woman ... who's just beautiful and filled with energy," Sohnen said. "We are deeply saddened and certainly would love for her to rejoin us regardless of her condition."
End Quote from Oakland Tribune