Paola Antonini
is a 29-year-old model, dancer, and defender of Brazilian inclusion.
At 21, she was in a car accident that forced doctors to amputate her left leg, an event that changed the course of her career and led her to become an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities.
Since then, the woman has used her experience and platform to inspire others who have suffered injuries or are differently-abled to not give up on their dreams.
She has participated in motivational speaking and worked as a model to promote inclusion in fashion.
Paola Antonini was an ambassador for brands such as
Nike
,
Hawaiians
, and
Oppo
, and has been featured in various advertising campaigns.
She has also worked with organizations like the
Red Cross
and the Abrinq Foundation.
Her work has had a strong impact on the fashion and sports industries,
inspiring people around the world
to seek overcoming obstacles and inclusion in all areas of life.
Paola Antonini suffered the amputation of her left leg at the age of 21 and that changed her life.
Photo: Instagram/paola_antonini.
The event that changed his life
Paola was born on November 11, 1985 in
Belo Horizonte
, the capital of the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
She was an active girl and passionate about sports, and she began to practice ballet and gymnastics in her youth.
As she grew older, her love of the sport led her to participate in rhythmic and acrobatic gymnastics competitions, and she eventually became a professional dancer.
But her life took an unexpected turn in December 2014, when she was on her way home from visiting her boyfriend and was hit by a drunk driver at a traffic light.
The impact was so strong that
Ella Paola lost her left leg instantly
.
Antonini faced the difficult task of adjusting to a life without one of his limbs, but after a tough battle he recovered and began sharing his story through social media.
Her posts about her daily life, always with a positive attitude and a smile on her face, quickly went viral and Paola became an influential user of social media.
She generates quality content for her followers, she advocates for her self-love and acceptance, while she demonstrates her strength, courage and perseverance in each post.
Paola Antonini and her boyfriend enjoying their vacation.
Photo: Instagram/paola_antonini.
positive influencer
Paola uses her social networks as a platform to inspire and encourage her fans around the world, and has been quoted in numerous interviews with outlets such as
CNN
,
BBC
and
Daily Mail
.
On BBC Three's "Amazing Humans" channel, she mentioned her social media success, and she revealed how she has managed to
play soccer, dance ballet, practice yoga and work out in the gym.
In an interview with the BBC, Paola spoke about how she has found the balance between her passion for sport and taking care of her body after suffering the amputation of her left leg: "I like to push myself and challenge myself through exercise, but I also need to listen to my body and give it the time it needs to recover."
In 2016, Paola was invited to participate in the opening ceremony of the
Rio de Janeiro Paralympics
, where she had the opportunity to dance in front of a global audience.
A year later, the woman herself participated in an advertising campaign for
Nike "Run with my heart",
becoming the first amputee model of the brand.
an example of life
Antonini launched her own line of sportswear called "Mariana Antonini".
Photo: Instagram/paola_antonini.
Currently, Paola has used her experience as a dancer and fitness model to launch her own line of sportswear, called
"Mariana Antonini"
, in tribute to her sister who died six years before her accident in an operation due to bone cancer.
The brand focuses on high-quality, comfortable and stylish sportswear to celebrate diversity and inclusion, and also donates part of its proceeds to charities that support people with disabilities.
The woman had a lasting impact on people around the world and has helped change the way people with disabilities are viewed in sports and fashion circles.
Paola Antonini is a beacon of hope for many people, who have found in her a source of inspiration and motivation to overcome their own difficulties.
Her message to her world is clear:
never give up, follow your dreams, accept and love who you are, and anything will be possible
.
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