Samanta Bullock is an Ambassador for ‘Models of Diversity’ and Parallel London’. And we are delighted to welcome her to our site – and to share her future ‘blogs’
With a background in fashion, I am passionate about inclusive fashion and leading a healthy and active lifestyle. I live in London and I am passionate about sharing my knowledge and life experiences to raise awareness of inclusion, fashion and healthy lifestyles. I have been in a wheelchair since 1992 and played wheelchair tennis from 2003 until 2009 representing Brasil and winning a doubles silver medal at the 2007 Para Pan Am Games.
I am living proof that a wheelchair does not have to be an obstacle to achieving any of my goals. Born in 1978 in Osorio-Rio Grande do Sul in Brasil, my life changed forever at the tender age of 14 when a bullet wound left me a paraplegic.
Before my injury, I was a model and very active, playing handball and tennis. Since my accident I have worked in politics, played tennis at the highest level and performed in the 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony among many other achievements. I can now look back proudly at what I have already achieved since my accident and have every reason to feel optimistic about the future, I love to travel, going to watch live music, visit family and friends and be as active as possible. I go to the cinema, enjoy eating out and exploring different restaurants and cuisines. I am on the books of VISABLE, an agency that specialises in the placement of disabled artists.
Many people dream of a career of being a model. Not so long ago, a career in modelling would have been completely unthinkable for wheelchair users. As a model, I am subject to exactly the same demands as every other model. In other words, I have to be very disciplined when it comes to my diet, I have to be active, and, of course, I have to look after my appearance.