23. Tamara Mena. Leon to Los Angeles.

Published: Nov. 30, 2020, 11 a.m.

This week on Thursday, December 3rd is International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

And my guest today is Tamara Mena. She is an actress, model, bilingual TV host, and Instagram influencer. She is also a survivor and motivational speaker.\xa0

She came to the US as a teenager, only a few years later she survived a terrible car accident that left her paralyzed chest down.\xa0

We talk about how whether it\u2019s immigration status or disability that make us alien, we all search for a way to belong. We talk about the power of words and especially the words we use to describe ourselves. We also talk about how social media gives opportunities to those whom the gatekeepers usually keep out. Tamara also shares her story of participating in a TV pageant show called Nuestra Belleza Latina (Our Latin Beauty). She did a catwalk in a swimsuit in a wheelchair. And this year she is participating in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit search! She is an unstoppable woman.

\xa0

Call our Google Voice at (213) 973-3813 and tell us what you think about the show and tell us how being limited as an immigrant forced you to develop new skills and qualities.\xa0\xa0

\xa0

Find Tamara:

http://tamaramena.com/ and on Instagram

\xa0

Find us: www.WeTheAliensPod.com

YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and on Twitter @WeTheAliensPod

\xa0

Music: "My country" courtesy of Ben Bostick www.benbostick.com