Janine Santos is a fashion model. Unlike most models, Janine suffers from Cerebral Palsy. Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a debilitating disease that affects the movements of the body. Children are usually affected at an early age. Their movements can be restricted as a result of poor coordination, stiff muscles, weak muscles, and tremors. There may be problems with sensation, vision, hearing, swallowing and speaking. Often babies with cerebral palsy do not roll over, sit, crawl, or walk as early as other children their age. Difficulty with the ability to think and reason and seizures each occurs in about one third of people with CP. (Wikipedia, 2016 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cognition) With all of these challenges, it would take a person with great courage and perseverance to not only overcome this condition, but to walk the runway at fashion week. We would like to introduce you to one such model, Janine Santos.
Janine Santos has not only dealt with this disease head on, but she has also fought for people around the world who want to pursue their dreams. Janine had dreams of walking the runway. She knew at an early age that this would be difficult. Janine would work hard and learned how to focus on the things that she could do well and use them to participate in fashion week. All of her work would soon pay off as she was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime. Janine would finally have the opportunity to walk the runway for fashion designer Corey Rogers.
Fashion Designer Corey Rogers is a rising star. His clothing designs take bold and bright colors and turn them into artful masterpieces. Corey’s take on evening gowns and cocktail dresses has garnered the attention of the fashion world, so much that he was invited to participate in DollHouse, held Thursday evening at the Andrew Freedman house in the Bronx. Corey presented his latest collection, “Chaotic Beauty” and featured none other than Janine Santos. Janine modeled Corey’s gold evening gown on the runway. Having fulfilled one of her many dreams she didn’t want the night to end. Janine asked Corey for another opportunity to model one of his evening gowns. Without hesitation, Corey insisted that he wear his black evening gown.
Janine would model Corey’s evening gown for a photo shoot in the library. I asked her what this opportunity meant to her. “It felt good. I felt as if I could be an inspiration for others with disabilities. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
