When Mercado dreamed of becoming a professional model, she surfed the Internet for someone with a physical disability in the modeling world. That was eight years ago, when disabled models were1. Thus, her search2empty.
"I didn't think it was a3. That's not because I wasn't worthy of it, but because I didn't see4else like me out there." However, Mercado, who was diagnosed with spastic muscular dystrophy（肌肉萎缩症） as a teen, has helped 5that reality because of not giving up. Last year, Mercado signed with IMG Models, the powerhouse agency that6top supermodels,
"There's7 been a problem with the team not getting what they need to get from me. There's never been a(n)8she has a disability, this is not going to work because the photos won't look nice. '" She says. "If I'm a9, a clothing company wants to display their clothes10me. That's all it should be."
Her small body has more than a dozen surgical11and she felt both nervous and excited when she decided last year to12them for a lingerie （内衣） company. "13I'm very outspoken with what I believe in. I'm very much of a14person still at heart. But I wanted to15a new challenge. "She liked16people that everyone can feel attractive in their own skin, "You shouldn't be ashamed of your own17.
In the meantime, she's focused on using her blog to encourage those who want to follow her example. She18her success to confidence, faith and never19."I turned my weakness into my strength. I'm a(n)20that you can do what you want, because …" she pauses, "Just because! That's it. You just can!"
