Sitting down with a ray of sunshine

Hey there beauties, we all require some level of personal connection in our busy lives. Deep, enriching friendships are the core of what it means to be human, and they can have a powerful influence on our emotional well-being and most importantly our personal growth.  I am so lucky to be able to say that I’ve always been surrounded by loving, supportive, positive people who are doing what they can to live their best life. In today’s conversation we are so very excited to introduce you to an amazing woman who exemplifies all the qualities mentioned above and more. Zara Vargues shows everyone who walks (or rolls) into her life what is possible, if you believe in yourself and most importantly never ever forget to SMILE!

To say I am excited to put the spotlight on a woman who has become more than just a friend to me, is an understatement. She is a true inspiration to me and all who know her. Her zest for life is infectious! Her drive to push past all the obstacles she faces in life is so empowering! Zara is the true definition of a Slick Chick!

Zara is thirty-one years old, lives in Colorado, and is active in a multitude of adaptive sports such as hiking, snow skiing, and more. And she just happens to have Cerebral Palsy. From the second you meet this world class, one of a kind queen (she was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Colorado in 2010) you soon realize that her disability does not define her!

I had the pleasure of meeting Zara when we both were sent to Grand Rapids Michigan to represent our home states in the Ms. Wheelchair America National pageant.  She and I bonded from day one and I couldn’t be more grateful. In the years since, our friendship has strengthened, and she has taught me so much. Yes, Zara lives with a disability, but her desire to advocate and help others embrace their own challenges with strength, style, and grace most definitely surpasses any of her own personal challenges.

She is truly such an encouragement to anyone she meets. This is just one of the many reasons she was named Miss Congeniality during that same week in Michigan.

Zara is a true believer in the power of positivity and says, “her desire is to help others cultivate and see their own inner light.” I had the chance to sit down and chat with this amazing lady and to be honest I don’t know who was more excited her or I. I have wanted to spotlight

“Z” (what her friends and family call her) for a while now, and I’m so excited for everyone to get to know this amazingly powerful woman!

Check out the Incredible Interview below that I got to do with one of the Slickest Chicks I know, Zara Vargues.

You’re a new addition to a crayon box. What color would you be and why?

The color I would choose to be is yellow, simply because I feel there is so much darkness in the world today. My job as an advocate is to share and spread love and light to all I meet, and to me yellow is the perfect color for doing just that.

If you could be any animal what would you be and why?

The animal I have to be is a monkey. I have Cerebral Palsy which means I have difficulty with my balance and standing in general. In turn I must have assistance from others. I often get told I look like a swinging monkey in a tree (All in good fun and out of love of course!) All the people in my family and friends love me and support me in all I do.

How would you define the words inclusion and diversity?

To me inclusion means that the people around me treat me as their equal, therefore granting me the ability to forget that I live with a disability, even if it is just for a little while. I am so grateful for and appreciate my family and friends for their ability to truly see me as the woman I am and not just the disability I live with. In terms of what diversity means to me, I truly believe that it is simply defined like this, the ability to be open to all types of people and welcome their way of thinking and or mindset no matter their ability or background!

A simple word like independence can mean so much to a person who has a disability.  What does this word mean to you personally?

For me independence means being completely confident in who you are and your own abilities, but also knowing it is ok to ask for help when necessary. Remember this, no matter who you are or what abilities you have, we all need help every now and then.

Can you tell our readers what your definition of the word beauty is?

In my mind beauty is best defined by what you do for others, not what you look like. Compassion is key!

What does the word empowerment mean to you?

For me the definition of empowerment is this, believe in who you are fully and be confident enough to stand out and shine, never just fit in with the crowd!

Slick Chick welcomes this awesome advocate to our family! Zara is pushing to make the world a brighter place and truly believes that the best person you can be is exactly who you are!

“Be like sunshine, a sparkle here, a glimmer there, shine your happiness EVERYWHERE!” - Zara Vargues

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See ya in your skivvies!

Shannon and the Slick Chicks Team