Remarkable Seniors: Cerebral palsy didn't hinder this remarkable graduate

Florida Times-Union - 6/2/2017

June 02--Looking at the smoothly blended smoky shadow on Victoria Aparicio's eyelids, no one would ever know her mother once applied all her makeup.

Looking at her flawless red lipstick, no one would ever know Victoria once struggled to use her own hands.

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Born four months premature, she wasn't expected to survive, and if she did, doctors said Victoria would most likely suffer crippling disabilities. They weren't sure sure how much damage her brain sustained, nor did they know how severe her cerebral palsy would be.

Just last month, Victoria, 18, graduated with honors from St. Joseph Academy in St. Augustine and dreams of becoming a makeup artist.

"So, she's a miracle," said Cynthia Aparicio, her mother. "[Her graduation] is bittersweet, and probably every parent says that, but especially because of Victoria's journey. I've had to be there so much. It's amazing to see, but it's going to be really hard to let go."

Her mother and her father, Victor, won't have to let go just yet.

Victoria plans to attend Daytona State College for business, and the college has a branch in Victoria's hometown. The degree, she said, will help her create a business and brand in makeup artistry, but she also sees it as an alternative.

If Victoria doesn't make it big or make it to New York Fashion Week, the educational background means she'll be able to find a job in another industry. Until then, though, she's practicing her skill.

Locally, she hopes to one day help the Tim Tebow Foundation during its Night to Shine event, which is a prom night experience for people with special needs ages 14 and older. That, she says, is sort of a first stop on the way to New York.

"As a makeup artists, you can help people feel good about themselves," Victoria said. "No matter what they've gone through."

Her own challenges haven't slowed her down. Occupational and physical therapy helped for a while, but ultimately the condition takes its toll on the body. Her mother says cerebral palsy is like a stroke -- and either makes people rigid or loose. For Victoria, it tightened her muscles.

When she was 12, the family flew to St. Louis, so Victoria could undergo a selective dorsal rhizotomy, which identifies damaged nerves and then severs them. The procedure was life changing.

"She learned to jump rope. She can ride a normal two-wheeled bike," Cynthia Aparicio said.

While at St. Joseph Academy, Victoria participated in the drama club and the football team. On the field, she filled the role of team manager, keeping the players hydrated and organized. Her mother never imagined it was a position Victoria would take.

During her sophomore year, she required surgery to reconstruct her feet.

"She went back out onto that football field and worked in pink casts," Cynthia Aparicio said. "She earned a lot of respect from the team."

Both Victoria and her mother know -- prior to the surgery -- the position would have come with many more difficulties, but now, she lives her life without limits.

Carmen Ramos, director of guidance at St. Joseph's, said Victoria also lives her life with joy.

"She is a remarkable person who has challenged herself and has worked hard to be a great student and community member," Ramos said. "Victoria is an amazing example of what hard work, faith and a positive outlook can do."

For Victoria, though, the hard work isn't over.

She's thought about how she could help educate people around the country on what it means to have cerebral palsy.

In middle school, she gave a talk to her classmates on the disorder. Despite her experience talking about it, she still gets tears in her eyes when the conversation turns to her symptoms and treatment.

"I feel like it's such a personal journey for me," Victoria said. But, for right now, she says she's excited to be done with high school and have the opportunity to start college.

Amanda Williamson: (904) 359-4665

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