“My prosthesis can be my wings or my anchor, in life there are no limitations.”
Juana Rodríguez is an athlete, dancer, model, influencer, and also an inspiration to many. It's impossible not to look at her photos on Instagram without smiling, because she's the kind of person who manages to bring more color to the world.
She is much more than "the girl with one leg." She is an example that we are not a sum of parts but a complete whole , and that whole lies in the courage and strength to move forward after adversity. In her words: "If you lie in bed, you won't achieve anything, but if you put a good sense of humor into it and do what you have to do, you will surely improve."
At Theramart, we want to summarize her story for you in this exclusive video. Join us for a look, and feel free to share it if it's inspired you and you think it could do the same for others.
After being in a coma due to an infection, Juana woke up, but her right leg was no longer there.
Originally from La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina, 19-year-old Juana Rodríguez Abadíe claims to have been born again in early 2018, the day life gave her a new lease on life after suffering from a very rare disease that kept her in a coma and forced doctors to amputate one of her legs.
But, beyond the sad story, it is not fair to speak of Juani from a place of sorrow , since it is not even close to what she generates in others when they see her speak and live her day to day life.
She became known in mid-2018 for a video in which she danced in her wheelchair . The post went viral on social media, and her joy and personality were so impressive that she was invited to the popular Argentine television show Cortá por Lozano to tell her story.
With 113,000 followers on Instagram , Juana shows every day that it's possible, that there's no need to worry about simple, superficial things, because the most valuable priorities are elsewhere. Currently, health, family, and friends are her three fundamental pillars , and she is extremely grateful for their unconditional support.
The terrible moment when he discovered that something was wrong with his body and that marked his life forever
On February 11, 2018, Juani woke up in the morning and discovered that her legs were extremely swollen , so much so that they were three times their normal size, and she was in so much pain that she couldn't even touch them.
Her family took her to the Italian Hospital immediately, and after a series of studies the diagnosis was conclusive: the young woman suffered from a very rare and little-known disease called Rhabdomyolysis , which destroys muscles and prevents blood from circulating normally.
Unfortunately, the severe edema in her legs ended up affecting her kidneys and causing kidney failure, so they had to put her on dialysis and try to drain the excess fluid from her body , most of which was in her lower extremities.
This was the moment when his worst battle began, as his legs were severely damaged and at serious risk of amputation. Despite the doctors' best efforts, a hospital-acquired virus worsened his condition.
The type of infection Juana suffered can be caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other pathogens that inhabit hospitals. These viruses affect patients when their immune system is weakened or when they remain hospitalized for a long time and/or have open wounds. The truth is that one of these viruses seriously damaged Juana's right leg, and it could not be saved. It was a matter of her leg or her life.
A rare disease, but one from which no one is exempt. What is rhabdomyolysis?
Rhabdomyolysis is the death of muscle tissue and the release of muscle fiber contents (myoglobin) into the bloodstream. These secreted proteins are harmful to the kidneys and often cause kidney damage.
Rhabdomyolysis can be caused by an injury or any other condition that causes damage to skeletal muscle, such as trauma, drug use, genetic muscle disorders, low phosphate levels, seizures or muscle spasms, strenuous exertion, prolonged surgical procedures, extreme fever, severe dehydration, and/or muscle tissue death.
Among the symptoms of this disease, it's very common to experience muscle stiffness and pain, cramps, swelling, joint pain, and/or fatigue, just as if we'd just done a long workout. It can also cause nausea, vomiting, seizures, and fever. But one of the most important symptoms to recognize is noticing a very dark color in the urine.
To prevent it, progressive training guided by sports professionals is recommended. Avoid excessive exertion if your muscles are not yet ready for heavy work. One of the keys to staying safe from rhabdomyolysis is staying hydrated before, during, and after a workout, and avoiding extreme temperatures during the hottest months.
Another key to staying safe is maintaining hydration before, during, and after training . One of the causes of rhabdomyolysis is exposing the body to extreme temperatures, such as those that the human body can reach when training in very hot weather (during the summer months during the middle of the day, for example).Hydration is essential, as it helps our body thermoregulate, avoiding high temperatures and keeping it cool through sweating.
The loss of her leg was not so hard for Juana because her life was safe and that has an even higher value.
If a date had to be established for when Juana Rodriguez was reborn, it would be April 9, 2018 , when she finally left the hospital and was able to see the sunlight and breathe fresh air.
She herself recounted in an interview on Verónica Lozano's program that, after two months of hospitalization and 15 days in a coma, she left the hospital with optimism and the need to move forward despite everything. She felt she had a message to share with others and that integration and acceptance begin with oneself.
During the rehabilitation process, Juani remained in a wheelchair, but she also underwent demanding exercise routines to be able to stand and use a prosthesis on her leg , which she proudly wears today, and whose use improves every day, and which she is willing to run with and play sports with.
When he finally came out into the world, he realized that it was not adapted for people with disabilities.
During her time in a wheelchair, Juana faced a harsh reality: her city wasn't adapted for people with disabilities. Not only that, but people were very unsympathetic toward exclusive places , and she often felt discriminated against.
But far from being discouraged, Juani took up the campaign to share her story, give interviews, and share her thoughts on social media. This gradually transformed her into the influencer she is today, with thousands of followers who encourage her and ask for advice.
Juani is also fighting to make her city of La Plata a more inclusive place. She offers access, tools, and training to learn how to improve the quality of life for people with visible and invisible disabilities.
Since that unforgettable February 11th when her life changed, Juana Rodríguez Abadíe hasn't stopped. She's an expert at facing obstacles and overcoming them with her strength , drive, optimism, and, of course, her charming personality.
All of this is what we loved about her story and what inspired us to share it with many people. We'd like to invite you to do the same if you've been inspired and moved by Juana Rodríguez.
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