A horrible car accident at the age of two claimed Lorella Praeli's right leg, but not her spirit.

"I've always been accepting of myself," said Praeli, a freshman enrolled in the University Honors Program. She is comfortable showing people her cane, her prosthesis and her leg. Typically people tell her they're sorry that her life was changed.

"I say, 'Don't be. I wouldn't be the person I am today without that happening to me,'" she said. "Life's biggest problem turned into the biggest gift for me."

"I have a disability," she said. "Everyone has differences. From my perspective I have a greater understanding of others and acceptance of our differences, whether they're physical, religious or sexual orientation. It takes only one person to make a difference and change another."

A native of Peru, Praeli moved to the United States at the age of 11 to receive medical care. Her family had led a privileged life in their native country and gave it all up for her care. Her father took a job in construction while her mother cleaned houses to pay the bills. She attended New Milford High School in northwestern Connecticut before coming to Quinnipiac.

Praeli, 19, plans to double major in political science and sociology. Praeli says her father, who is a lawyer, has been an important role model for her. He moved back to Peru and currently serves as an assistant mayor in Ica, Peru. She admires his human rights work, including his job with a national food aid program.

After college, Praeli say she'd like to go to law school and study international law. She says she sees herself as a lawyer, human rights activist or diplomat. Ultimately, she hopes to return to Peru.

Her honors political science course at Quinnipiac gave her a chance to get involved in national politics. Praeli worked on Barack Obama's political campaign in New Hampshire.

"You really get to know how a campaign is run," she said. "I helped to staff the phone bank, calling people to spread Obama's message."

Praeli and her classmates traveled to New Hampshire twice during the semester and then returned for six days during winter break just before the primaries.

"To have this opportunity as a freshman has been wonderful," she said of the class led by her adviser, Professor Scott McLean. "I think it really speaks well of Quinnipiac."

When looking at colleges, Praeli also considered Trinity College, Clark University and Fordham University.

"Quinnipiac was the first school I saw and I always compared every other college to it. I loved the beautiful campus and the good academic standards, but I especially loved the deans and professors and the students. We shared one passion-the desire to learn and I felt overjoyed here. I was thrilled by how much I could accomplish on campus," she said.