Vicky Venancio vowed to never give up.
On Wednesday, she won her ongoing battle to stay in Canada and was granted permanent residency.
Relieved and overwhelmed, the 31-year-old said she’s “over the moon.”
“I wanted to jump, but I cannot jump.”
Venancio came from the Philippines to Edmonton as a temporary foreign worker in 2011.
Like many others, she secured at job at McDonald’s — making enough money to support herself and send money to her family back home.
In 2012, her life drastically changed.
While biking to work, Venancio was struck by a vehicle and paralyzed. She was unable to work and faced deportation.
READ MORE: Paralyzed Edmonton temporary foreign worker seeks permanent residency
Another daunting reality, Venancio was told she’d likely never walk again.
With no medical coverage, Venancio was forced to find treatment on her own.
Her doctor worked for free and she took part in research studies at the University of Alberta to access free physiotherapy. She said staff in the clinics used her as a “guinea pig” but is forever grateful for the treatment.
Her will and determination proved that medical diagnosis wrong.
With the help of a walker, she learned to move around and live on her own.
In 2015, Venancio was granted a two-year work permit.
READ MORE: Paralyzed temporary foreign worker granted two-year work permit
To Venancio, two years meant freedom to sleep and not worry about being sent back to the Philippines where she said care and treatment for her injury would be worse. Fearing she would not be allowed back into Canada if she left, Venancio made the agonizing decision not to travel back to her native country to say goodbye to her dying mother.
On Wednesday, after collecting her paperwork, Venancio called her father in the Philippines.
“The first thing my dad asked is when am I coming home.”
“I miss them so much,” Venancio said. “They all know Canada is a better place for me.”
Federal Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Amarjeet Sohi was also by her side and lobbied the federal government on compassionate grounds — at that time he was an Edmonton city councillor.
Sohi said Venancio is an inspiration to him.
“I’m very happy with the outcome that she is able to stay here in Canada and build her life,” Sohi said.
“I know she is back on her feet. She’s a very resilient person and eager to go to school and eager to find work and be part of the work force.”
Venancio said she plans to one day become a social worker.
“I’m so glad everything works out for good.”
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