Hello, I'm Stephania Cespedes, I'm 18 years old, I like to be called Stephy.

This year I managed to graduate from High School, for many it seems normal, but for me it was difficult since I was born with a condition that at the age of 3 my mother realized that I did not hear well and that caused me a delay in My learning over the years the doctors discovered that I had Bardet Biedl syndrome, this affects 14 chromosomes in my body and we discovered why other things were happening in me and we didn't know it and so with all the diagnosis I finished school under the IEP program.

When the pandemic began, it was very difficult for me, like many, but God highlighted in me what I love the most: the arts, I am passionate about dancing (how not to dance if I come from Colombian roots on my mother's side), singing, and what I discovered was painting. Inside my room I grabbed the colors that my mom used to paint her nails and used them as if they were brushes to paint my paints. I made a lot of disasters, but God already had everything planned. At that moment, I had a person who took care of me while my mother worked. She knew about the arts and explained to me what I did. I started painting eyes because I had received a terrible diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, what is it? Well I'm losing my vision, every year that passes I'm losing my vision.

I started to capture eyes on canvas because they are the only eyes I will have left, they will be the eyes of my heart.

I became passionate that I began to paint more and more and managed to start a business because my dream is for my works to reach as many homes as possible.

When I graduated in May 2023, I faced a new challenge that would be to work or have the opportunity to continue learning the arts for a university, but I did not know if they would accept me due to my condition, but God always continues to surprise me, they accepted me UNG. opened the doors and they have guided me. It wasn't until the first day that I arrived to class and what scares me the most happened. I couldn't see the blackboard well, my notes began to become difficult, I couldn't see the classroom labels.

I have to go for my vision checkup and my doctors determined that my vision is already very low and what follows will not be easy, I already took Braille classes and how to use a cane for visual impairment.

Now, in order to continue with my desire to paint and finish university I must use a device that will help me visualize better colors, read, write. I have another dream before my vision turns off and that is to see the Eiffel Tower. and i need to buy that way I creat this go foundme.

For my condition I have realized that there are not many friends since I am not of normal learning but I understand that it is not easy but the ones I have I know love me.

I want to highlight the sacrifice that my mother is making to see me fulfill my dreams. She accompanies me to my classes and she waits for me to take me from classroom to classroom and take me to my class buildings. She is being my eyes only that she cannot help me with my notes because she does not know how to write English but she has not been prevented from knocking on doors.

I share photos of my life with you so you can get to know me a little

Getting ready!

Medical procedures.

Painting my eyes! that I am so passionate about

Each art is unique because there are days when I don't see the lines or colors in the same way.

Participating in cultural activities.

I carry the flag of disability inclusion

Inspiring

Entrepreneurship

Motivating girls to learn about art.

My graduation and I earned my yellow ribbon for supporting my community.

Sharing with my community of children with special learning

I enjoy my life as I am!

I need this device so that I can continue enjoying what I am creating.