Woman with Limb Differences Was Told She Was 'Cursed.' Then She Embraced Her Disabilities Through Modeling (Exclusive)
- - Woman with Limb Differences Was Told She Was 'Cursed.' Then She Embraced Her Disabilities Through Modeling (Exclusive)
Michelle LeeJanuary 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM
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samricazogar/Instagram (2)
Samrica Zogar is a model and content creator with deformities on her hand and feet -
Samrica Zogar was born with limb differences in her hand and feet
The Liberia-born content creator speaks to PEOPLE about the emotional and physical tolls her disability had on her life growing up and inspiring others on social media
"I post because I have built resilience toward words that don't define how I see myself," she says
Samrica Zogar has lived with disabilities since the day she was born, but she didn't let that stop her from going after her dream life.
Born in Liberia in the late '80s, Zogar faced discrimination for having limb differences in her feet as well as her right hand. "Because of the lack of knowledge, awareness, social stigmas and marginalization, most Liberians do not have empathy for those born with rare conditions," Zogar tells PEOPLE of her upbringing.
She says that even relatives vocalized disdain for her condition. "I had some issues with family members who called me names. Some said it would have been best if I was not born."
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Zogar also struggled with severe stress from the physical pain of having to walk barefoot or without shoes most of her life due to her lack of accessibility to adaptive shoes.
"I experienced burns from the hot pavement and sand, and during the raining season, I would travel through muddy puddles," she explains, adding that living without accommodations that would make life "easier" took an even greater toll.
samricazogar/Instagram
Samrica Zogar posing on Instagram
Still, she learned to find positivity amid it all.
As a child, Zogar would buy clothes from the money she earned from selling her mom's baked goods. "When I was being bullied, I came to find comfort in dressing up. Fashion became therapeutic and an escape from reality."
But even now in adulthood, shopping doesn't always come easy for Zogar, 37, who resides in Minnesota after moving from Africa for "better opportunities."
"Most of the time, I have to alter my clothing to fit my body and to suit the deformity in my right hand. At times, clothes may be too long or the buttons may be off, so I have to adjust most of my clothing to fit me properly," she explains.
Customizing her wardrobe can also get costly, with personalized shoes going for anywhere between $3,000 to $6,000. Today, she only has four pairs and has shoes gifted to her every five, thanks to a woman named Michelle Lerach, whom Samrica met while working at a foundation in Liberia that encouraged women to learn about fair business practices. Samrica says that Michelle has been there to provide tailored shoes for her whenever she's in need of new footwear.
Despite its challenges, fashion has only motivated Zogar to chase her love for modeling. "I believe I have an innate nature to model, so I don't let my disability stop me from pursuing my dream," she says.
When she began growing her platform on social media, where she has nearly 50,000 followers on Instagram and advocates for the disabled community, Zogar was prepared for the backlash that might come her way. "I post because I have built resilience toward words that don't define how I see myself," she tells PEOPLE.
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But there's another reason she posts without concern for how others might respond. Zogar is mom to her 15-year-old daughter Joerica, and she's determined to be a source of fortitude for the teen.
"I must be strong for my daughter so that she can feed off my strength despite how the world may see me. When she sees my strength, it gives her hope."
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Zogar also wants her daughter to accept beauty in "unique forms."
"We have conversations about loving the hair and skin we are in. She's motivated by me despite my disability. I've [taught] her to look at beauty in a deeper sense, that beauty is not only about appearance, but in the confidence to celebrate unique types of beauty."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
