At 14, told I'd have to live in a nursing home.

Dionna Zupparo is a true icon. When she was fourteen years old, she suffered a devastating stroke caused by a blood clot in the left side of her brain and was told by doctors she should be placed in a nursing home.

But Dionna had other plans. After three weeks in the hospital recovering from the stroke, she was discharged with speech, sight, and physical impairments. She was confined to a wheelchair and given slim-to-no chance of being able to walk unassisted.

Fortunately, through years of intense physical, occupational, and language therapy at clinics all over the US, Dionna was able to defy the odds and walk unassisted, drive, and even complete a higher educational degree.

Despite her success, Dionna still mourns what she has missed over the years due to her ailments. Growing up she wanted to be a doctor and was an active athlete, playing basketball and swimming. But when the stroke happened, all of her dreams and aspirations were taken away.

“I missed out on continuing my career as an athlete,” she said. “Instead of doing things normal kids did, I spent my years going to therapy. I am grateful to have done so; however, I lost most of my friends and I went from being very popular to being the kid no one wanted to associate with.”

The biggest thing she felt she missed out on was the social aspect of being a regular teen. Dionna never went to parties and had a small circle of friends because of the stigma being disabled had caused.

But she is determined not to let her disability control her life. She is now fully independent and doing a Master’s degree in Disability Studies, while also working on a documentary about her life and struggles which she hopes will bring a voice to disabled people.

“I am proud to represent disabled persons, even though some days I do have times where I struggle,” she said. “I am excited for the documentary, Young Survivor, that Tyler is producing for me that will hopefully one day bring me a voice loud enough for people to listen when I expose the problems disabled people face in the world.”

Dionna Zupparo is an inspiration and a true icon. Despite the struggles she has faced, she has managed to turn her life around and push forward despite the odds.

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