Juliana Recio

Juliana Recio Calero- b. 7/16/63, Bogotá Colombia, passed from this world to eternal life surrounded by family and beloved by friends around the globe on February 22, 2023 at Good Samaritan Medical Center, Corvalis. She is predeceased by her mother, Blanca Isabel Calero, her greatest inspiration emphasizing the value of education and instilling in her that Juli could do “the same as anyone and to never feel a victim” of her childhood polio. Juliana is survived by her Colombian family, sisters Ximena and Isabella, her brother Andres, nieces and nephews, her “familia Americana, the Martin’s” Laura, her roommate and countless friends, students and supporters through the United States and Colombia, Juliana was driven to walk, finding for herself at 17, Dr McEwen in Delaware, who after performing several surgeries enabled this goal with the help of braces and crutches until post-polio syndrome required use of a wheelchair. Juliana received many degrees in educational leadership and Disabilities Education inspired to work as an advocate and activist for people with disabilities including most especially cultural minorities. Juliana became a US citizen with a National Interest Waiver highlighting exceptional work in the disability field. This work began in the National Center for Latino’s with Disabilities in Chicago and expanded to non-profit organizations in Delaware, Washington DC, Florida, California, Arizona and Oregon where she spoke in conferences, updated books, trained specialists and taught. Juliana loved to travel, paint in the style of magical realism and journal. Her greatest joy was to follow in the footsteps of great advocates and be known as a disability activist, hoping others would follow her lead. Juliana’s dream is to found an organization for Latino’s with disabilities and families in the US and Latin America. Juliana leaves us an exemplary testimony of courage and selflessness- her legacy lives on in all who know and love her! Peace be with you our dear, Juli, your legacy will carry on for generations to come, and your beautiful smile and always kind words will live in the hearts of all that had the pleasure of knowing you! Services will be held in Delaware and Colombia and announced on her FB page.

Juliana Recio

July 16, 1963 - February 22, 2023