Ella Rodriguez

My name is Ella "Rae" Rodriguez and I am a Latine undergraduate student-athlete studying Neuroscience and Cognitive Science at the University of Arizona. I am a below-the-knee amputee and have had my amputation since I was 9 months old. I grew up in a small town and did not know anyone with a disability until I wrote a letter to Santa at age nine asking for a "friend like me." Since then, I have served the disabled community as an ambassador, public speaker at fundraising events, an emerging Paralympic athlete in Wheelchair basketball and Track and Field, and mentored other young disabled athletes in sports. I am on scholarship and a starter for the University of Arizona's Women's Wheelchair Basketball team while pursuing my academic career.