A 2022 graduate of CSU Northridge with a BA in Political Science and Chicano Studies, Cristian competed on the Hermanos Unidos Intramural Club soccer team and the intramural basketball team at CSUN.  He is now pursuing an online master’s degree in Public Administration from USC. While a junior at CSUN in 2020, he was involved in a hit and run car accident near campus, resulting in a crushed left ankle. A year and a half and six surgeries later, he made the difficult decision to amputate. Despite the fact he was losing a limb, he was excited to connect to the joys of life and experience movement without pain.

He was inspired to become a co-founder of a virtual Spanish-speaking support group for amputees in January 2023, focusing on emotional well-being and local resources directed toward each member, to assure and instill hope in new or older amputees. La Connexion de Amputados (LCDA) has over 40 members across the country, celebrating life, personal growth, and friendship. He hopes his public administration degree will help toward the realization of making LCDA a non-profit, to inspire policy based on members’ needs.

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