Bio

Model: Joy Nestor
Cerebral Palsy

Student, Fashion & Design

I have cerebral palsy. I am an artist. I am a student. I am shy. I am creative. I am unique. I am Joy.

Growing up with a disability, I most often led with it when introducing myself. Since I looked and felt different, I believed that my disability defined me. I was often teased and my self-esteem was low. Recently my confidence started rising. A surgery to help me with breathing better made all the difference. This helped boost my confidence.

High school was tough, but my art saved me. Art is what I fall back on and it comforts me. I can lose myself there.

Finding the right college was tough, but I’m proud to say that I found the right one at Lynn University. I fell in love with it, mostly for the campus and the 24-hour cafeteria. Soon after, I realized how much I also loved the atmosphere of Lynn. I have not been teased once, which in an academic situation is like a breath of fresh air. Ever since I’ve been at Lynn, my confidence has sky rocketed. I even started dating, and I’m in an amazing relationship with a wonderful guy.

Now that you know a little bit about me, let me reintroduce myself. I am Joy. I am an artist. I am a student. I am shy. I am creative. I am unique. If we get close enough, maybe I’ll even tell you I have cerebral palsy.

Photographer

Photographed by Sandra Dohnert-Bourne

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