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Welcome
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Welcome
Where do I start? I guess the best place is to introduce her and tell you a little about her life today. Her name is Sarely Muj Patel. She lives in a one-bedroom condo with two other people.
Genesis 1:27
So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
About Her
Meet Her
It is 5 a.m. when the sound of an alarm clock shrieks its way into the ears of Sarely Muj. Her black eyes start to peel open once the added sounds of her birds begin to squawk outside her room and her cats start running around happy to see her.
The sounds indicate it’s time for another day to work and pay the bills, so she crawls her way to her compacted bathroom to hop into the shower. After rinsing herself off, Sarely worms back into her room to change into her clothes and climbs onto her electronic wheelchair before a bus escorts her to her job.
All her life has been consumed with a viral disease called Poliomyelitis, often called polio, which has devoured the muscles inside her body as well as the nerves. Even though the disease has stolen her ability to walk and use the function of her shoulders, it has not prevented her from supporting her mother and two nephews, as well as taking part in the Miss Wheelchair USA pageant this July in Akron, Ohio.
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Her Challenge In Her Life
Ms. Muj was born into unmarried parents Akam Patel and Marianna Gonzalez in Los Angeles, CA. Mr. Patel emigrated from Madras, India because he wanted to further his education as a salesman while Mrs. Gonzalez emigrated from Mexico City, Mexico, in hopes of a better life.
“When I was born, my father’s family in India was very angry at him,” said Sarely, describing the beginnings of her life. “In Indian culture at the time, they were forbidden to have children out of wedlock and they mustn’t have children with someone who was not Indian.”
Ms. Muj says the family outrage led her father to kidnap her and take her back to India after living in Los Angeles for the first four months of her life. Her mother was devastated by Patel’s actions and after eight months of battling for custody, a social worker employed by the United States government returned Sarely back to her mother.
The result of Sarely's kidnapping would forever alter her life because she was not given the proper medical vaccinations in India. During those eight months with her father, she contracted the harmful disease known as polio, which has hindered her ever since.
“There are times when I ask him why he never gave me the vaccine,” said Sarely, who has never again seen her father in person, only through pictures, phone calls, and the Internet. “Whenever I bring up the kidnapping, he always gets real quiet and tries to change the conversation. I may never know.”
Her Familly
Tragedy In Her Life
Angel’s testimonials
Tragedy In Her Life
Years ago, Gonzalez’s daughter and Sarely's half-sister died after a long battle with lung cancer. Sarely and her mother decided to take in both her sons, Angel and Brian, and have raised them as their own ever since.
“I don’t like my nephews calling me mom,” said Sarely, as she stares at them doing their homework in her small living room that is dominated by pictures of her and her large family. “I want them to view me as their friend and someone they can turn to when they need help. I think education is very important, so I try to help them the best that I can.”
1 Peter 5:10
And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
Angel’s testimonials
Tragedy In Her Life
“I am very proud of her,” said her mom, who speaks little English and needs Sarely to translate for her. “She refuses to let her condition bring her down, so I’m very proud of her for balancing work, taking college courses, and helping me raise the boys.”
Angel’s testimonials
Angel’s testimonials
Angel’s testimonials
“I love my aunt for the sacrifices she has made for me,” said Angel, the eldest nephew graduate from Mission Viejo High School and now a student at Saddleback College. “They’ll be times when I say I can’t do something, but she will always say, ‘Can you walk? Can you run? Then why can’t you do this?"
2 Corinthians 5:7 For we walk by faith, not by sight. For we live by faith, not by sight. For we live by believing and not by seeing. for we walk by faith, not by sight. For we walk by faith, not by sight.
Challenging Herself
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
Angel’s testimonials
Many people today have naively neglected the valuable gifts they have unknowingly acquired, whether it’s the gift of walking around a college campus or having the ability to pour themselves a glass of water with their arms. Even though she cannot do both those things, she has learned to cherish the gifts God has bestowed upon her and encourages others to live life with the same mindset.
“Even though I have my disability, I still love to challenge myself,” admits Sarely, who has learned to play the piano, design jewelry, skydive out of a moving plane, and swim with dolphins during a vacation to Hawaii. Before her time runs its course like the rest of us, she hopes to learn how to surf and hopes to one day own a wheelchair van.
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
“This is why I decided to apply for the Miss Wheelchair USA pageant this summer,” she said after her professor in her acting class urged her to fill out an application. “I am really excited! The pageant starts on July 20 and ends on July 25.”
After paying $475 for a plane ticket to Akron, she has teamed up with her friends and Mission Hills Church to fundraise money for the costs of her hotel. The goal is to raise around $1,150 before the pageant begins and has received $320 in donations.
“Even if I’m unable to reach my goal, I’ll use my own money to go,” she said while showing a Miss Wheelchair USA booklet with a picture of her wearing the title of Ms. California. “When I’m there, we’ll get to meet the mayor of the city, meet the professional baseball team, perform community service, get a surprise visit from a special actor or actress, and do television interviews with the local affiliates.”
Arely’s Magic Travel
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
Ms. Wheelchair California 2011
Wheelchair traveling the easy way.
Are you using a wheelchair? Do you want to travel to any place in the USA. Without worrying about wheelchair compatibility?
My power wheelchair and I live and work in Southern California, and have been taking even solo trips to these major cities and their surrounding areas for many years.
Phil 4:13 When we turn to Jesus Christ, we are able to do things we never dreamed were possible. Or survive things we wish we never had to face.
Travel International Now
Travel International Now
Travel International Now
Wheelchair traveling.
Are you using a wheelchair? Do you want to travel to any place in the USA. Without worrying about wheelchair compatibility?
My power wheelchair and I live and work in Southern California, and have been taking even solo trips to these major cities and their surrounding areas for many years.
And Now my wheelchair and I go international.
Phil 4:13 When we turn to Jesus Christ, we are able to do things we never dreamed were possible. Or survive things we wish we never had to face.
Never give up!!!
Travel International Now
Travel International Now
This is just another example of Sarely challenging herself and living her life like everyone else. She is blessed that polio took her strength away from her body instead of her life, so it inspires her to live each day as if it were her last.
“Never give up on your dreams or your future,” said Sarely, who offers words of advice to others who are not appreciating their lives the right way. “There will always be obstacles, a door that will prevent you from achieving your dreams. You just have to knock it down and continue to move forward like I am doing.”
Romans 15:13 NIV
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.