US News

Woman with no limbs overcomes bullying to lead active life with boyfriend

A 25-year-old Colombian woman with no limbs has overcome a painful past that included rape, bullying and attempted suicide to become an inspiration to others.

“I don’t have any arms or legs, but I won’t let that hold me back,” said Zuly Sanguino, who was born with Tetra-amelia syndrome, a rare genetic condition that prevents the limbs from developing properly in the womb, Barcroft Media reported.

Barcroft
“I was called an alien and it really hurt me. I went through some dark times and even contemplated suicide. But my friends and family pulled me through and now I give motivational talks at businesses, prisons and schools,” the Bogota woman said.

Her mom, Guillermina, 57, overcame her initial shock to help her daughter — whose five siblings do not have the condition — to lead an independent life.

“At first people would carry me everywhere or I’d roll, but eventually I managed to stand up on my own and tried to walk by propping myself up with my stumps,” said Zuly, whose dad committed suicide when she was 2.

But things were tough at school.

“I started to realize I was different from other children aged 6. Suddenly I noticed they could run and I couldn’t. I asked Mom why I was different. She told me I was no more different than anybody else and my disability didn’t have to hold me back,” she said.

Sanguino does her makeup.Barcroft

Barcroft
But she was soon a target for ruthless bullies.

“Children called me ‘alien’ and hit me,” she said. “Sometimes they’d take my snacks. It was horrible. I left school when I was 6 and joined another school.”

At age 15, she contemplated suicide.

“I climbed up to the fourth (floor) of our building and was going to jump. Thankfully, Mom came and found me just before I did. She was so upset things had got so bad. She hugged me and told me everything would be all right. She told me I would go on to shine and show other people you can live a normal, happy life with a disability.”

Her turnaround began when she attended art school when she was 18.

“I realized I’d spent too long letting my disability get me down and I had so much to live for. Gradually, with Mom’s support, I began to feel more positive and got involved with a local church, where the pastor asked me if I would like to join him on community visits as an inspirational speaker.”

Her first talk about bullying was in front of 400 college students and parents.

“I was really nervous so Mom came with me for support. But halfway through I began to cry because it was so painful reliving what I’ve been through,” she said. “But everyone started clapping and it gave me the strength to keep going.”

Sanguino with her boyfriendBarcroft

As her confidence grew, Zuly met her first boyfriend when she was 19.

Zuly now leads an active life and has found ways to adapt.

“I can put makeup on using adjustable straps that hold my blusher and mascara in place. I need a wheelchair for longer distances but I enjoy going out and socializing with my friends,” she said. “I’m proof you don’t have to let a disability hold you back.”