A 25-year-old woman with severe disabilities has revealed how she refuses to be held back and wants to 'live life to the fullest'.
Charlie Rousseau, from Quebec in Canada, revealed how she learnt the reason for her disabilities when her mother told her that she had tried to have an abortion and claimed it went wrong.
Speaking to FEMAIL, the Canadian radio host explained: "The doctor allegedly told my parents to keep the baby even though the abortion process wasn't finished. They could've taken it further, they could've taken the hospital to court but we were living in a small town and my parents didn't want to make a big deal.
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"My parents believed making a big deal of it would ruin my life because the story would be everywhere as I was growing up."
Rousseau might have severe disabilities, including having one arm and very short legs, but she insists she doesn't want to be held back. As a radio host she has embraced the opportunities given to her and has also travelled the world, visiting Mexico, Australia and Britain.
Rousseau said she grew up feeling like a 'normal child' and 'didn't realise she was disabled' until she was a teenager.
The 25-year-old said: "I never realised I had a disability until I was 16. My parents sent me to a normal school and I had normal friends. I had a big character so I fitted in fine.
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"It was only when I became interested in dating and fancying boys did I really accept my disability and that I was so different."
However, Rousseau has refused to let her disability get her down and instead turned her attention to travelling the world.
In 2019, she moved to the UK to teach French in schools in Shrewsbury, including The Priory School and Meole Brace School. Whilst in the UK, Rousseau also turned her attention to visiting other countries to experience what the world had to offer. She said: "People are very friendly everywhere, it's wonderful to travel. If I ask people, they're quick to help. Just live your life. Don't waste any time."
As she set off on her adventures, Rousseau began a TikTok and Instagram page to document her journeys. She explained: "Initially, it was to share my photos with family and friends, so they all could see my journey. I never started them to become an influencer. But soon, I was getting comments and so many people started following me."
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However, the radio host's travels were put on hold thanks to the pandemic. She was forced to return to Canada in 2020, which left her feeling low.
She said: "I was inside in lockdown for weeks, I was just on my own, my family was very worried about me. So I flew back to Canada, I was very sad my trip came to an end."
However, by winter 2021, she was desperate to get back on a plane and travel again. In January this year, she finally made it back to Britain.
Discussing her zest for life, Rousseau said: "No one knows how long they've got here, don't waste that time. Make friends, go out, go to that restaurant, take that flight. Say yes!"
Topics: World News
Niamh Spence