Hey everyone!

I’m Khloé Quintana, just your average 22 year old living life to the fullest. I am a singer/songwriter, an actress, a performer, a makeup artist…. I am a lover of the arts and of life in general and everything it has to offer so the list goes on and on! Oh, right! One last thing; I am living my life affected by a neurologic condition known as Cerebral Palsy.

I was diagnosed with Spastic Infantile Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy at the age of two. During my formative years, this meant minimal motor control to the point of being described as being in a vegetative state. Today, through various medical interventions such as physical, occupational therapies and major surgeries to name a few, I am able to live my life as independently as possible. I use power and manual wheelchairs for all of my mobility needs. I am able to walk assisted (holding on to something such as a walker or a treadmill with supervision in order to prevent falls, wearing orthopedic braces).

Neither Cerebral Palsy, nor the conditions I have acquired relating to Cerebral Palsy, have EVER stopped me in the way of my hopes and dreams.

Growing up, I was involved in swim lessons, Girl Scouts, piano lessons, choir, talent shows, and musical theater. My passion for the arts only grew stronger as I got older. In high school, I was given the opportunity to sing at the historic Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Illinois for a national Festival of Gold where I was able to work with, as well as be adjudicated by some of the top composers of our time. I was invited to be a part of the Panther Sparkles cheer team during my Junior and Senior years of high school, appearing alongside them twice on the ABC7 show Everyday Health. At age 17, I was asked sing as well as to share my story on an internationally broadcasted network and show; Azteca America’s Entre Nos con Patricia Arbulú.

Now, perhaps you may be wondering about my academics? School was a bit of a challenge in elementary and middle schools due to missing instruction as a cause of necessary medical procedures. That’s never once stopped me, though.

In high school, I reached honors, advanced placement, as well as international baccalaureate level classes and graduated high school in June 2013. From there, I went on to attend Sonoma State University, where I was a part of the University Choir, the glee club, and the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, all while gaining a spot on the Dean’s List pursuing a degree in Vocal Music Education. I later attended Moorpark College, being placed on the Dean’s list my entire tenure there. I was cast in one of the biggest productions in the college’s history; Hairspray! reaching 4.0 GPAs, taking 16 units at a time as a Theater major.

While I later spent a short time living in Seattle, Washington, there truly was no place like home. Don’t get me wrong, the place was beautiful, but it will always be second place. I moved back and am currently residing in Los Angeles, California.

So, here I am! 22 years and counting, ready to take on more of life’s adventures and challenges. It is my hope that in sharing my story, I can help change societies views of the differently-abled for the better. I like to think of my condition not as a bad thing, rather a tool I can use to help people and teach people, as well as help others be more compassionate towards those with differences. I’m working with the hand I was dealt. Guess who’s winning?!

I’m hoping you all join me along for my journey. It’s barely just begun!

XO,

-Khloé