Ceci Padilla tries her best to be involved with as much as she can. Ceci is involved in Varsity Cheer, and is also the Vice President of Student Council. Ceci uses a wheelchair on a daily basis, but that doesn’t stop her from working hard as a student and athlete. She states, “Some of the challenges I face as a wheelchair user include, heavy doors that can be difficult for me to open on my own, narrow hallways that can make it hard for me to get around during passing periods, and also worrying about accidentally hitting my peers with my chair, so I have to ask multiple times throughout the day for people to let me by.” Ceci uses many different accommodations at school to help her with getting around and getting to class. “I use a key that gets me into the elevator on my own, and my locker is located on the ground floor, so it’s easier to get my things for class,” she states.
As a Girls Basketball Cheerleader, it’s hard to get into the school for games. “The only way I am able to get into the small gym is going outside and around the building to get to the back entrance. With the parking lot not being accessible, it is hard to get up to the door because of large curbs blocking the sidewalk. Also, the door is always locked, so I have to wait for someone to come open the door for me,” she explains.
Ceci hopes to get into St. Ambrose and continue being a part of activities. “I still want to be a part of the cheer team and Dance Marathon, for sure.” Ceci also states how her use of a wheelchair does not change her as a person. “ I want people to know that I’ve had over 80 surgeries and many different medical procedures but even when things get hard, I am never giving up.”
