A woman with Down syndrome proved her doubters well and truly wrong by finishing law school to become the first lawyer with the condition in her city, and perhaps all of Latin America.
Earlier this year it was reported that Ana Victoria Espino De Santiago had become a qualified lawyer after graduating from Universidad Autónoma de Zacatecas in Mexico.
As one might imagine, completing law school is no walk in the park. And the level of obstacles in one’s path is only raised when you factor in learning difficulties.
Yet Ana Victoria not only dealt a blow to her naysayers by graduating, but has also set her sights on an even more impressive goal, and one that’s every bit as inspiring as you might expect.
The 25-year-old, born in Guadalupe, Zacatecas, was handed her law degree in July, and is believed to be the first qualified lawyer with Down syndrome in Zacatecas – possibly even all of Latin America.
“I really like law for defending people with disabilities and pe
“[To] help people with disabilities, help those who do not have a voice, because that is why I am a lawyer.”
Though her journey thus far is nothing if not inspiration, Ana Victoria also went on record as suggesting she might try her hand at politics in the future.
She added: “I see myself being a local representative, I am passionate about the law and I want to pave the way so that all people who live with a disability can occupy decision-making spaces, because our condition does not silence our voice, will and ability to contribute to improving our state.”
Needless to say, denizens of the internet were suitably impressed by Ana Victoria’s story, with many of them taking to social media to wish her well with all her future endeavors.
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