Aged just 24 and pregnant with her first child, a car accident left Faustina Urassa paralysed. Abandoned by her fiancé, friends and colleagues it was easy for Faustina to view herself as they did – as useless, undesirable and incompetent. Discharged from hospital to the care of her parents, Faustina was unable to move independently and became a virtual prisoner at home. Unsurprisingly, she became depressed and had no confidence that she could raise her child.

Through Motivation Faustina received a wheelchair and something fundamental changed: she rediscovered her old energy, determination and spirit. Now in a loving relationship with a beautiful daughter, Faustina works with other wheelchair users, teaching essential skills that enable them to wheel themselves out of poverty and lead happy and productive lives.

Faustina was recently selected as the opening speaker for the launch of the World Report on Disability, a landmark study published jointly by the World Health Organization and the World Bank. To learn more about Faustina and her work, read more ».