Monika Kuszynska
Location: Onslo
Challenge: Paraplegic
Website: www.monikakuszynska.pl
Monika Kuszynska is a Polish singer-songwriter.
She started her music career as a soloist of the Polish band Varius Manx in 2001. Together they released four albums.
On 28 May 2006, Monika along with the other band members of Varius Manx were involved in a serious car accident in Milicz. The accident resulted in Monika becoming partially paralyzed from the waist down and having to use a wheelchair. She couldn’t continue her career as singer, but didn’t give up her dream to perform on stage again. She didn't submit to despair and helpless passivity.
After a number of years focused only on intensive rehabilitation, Monika returned to active life but above all she has returned to her passion – singing!
Her first album, with a meaningful title, Ocalona (Saved) was released in 2012. Since that time, Monika remains active, trying to combine art with social activities.
In February 2013, Monika was awarded by the President of the Republic of Poland, Bronislaw Komorowski, The Golden Cross Of Merit for artistic activities and charity efforts for promotion of sports for people with disabilities.
She represented Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song In The Name Of Love, making her the first artist in a wheelchair ever to participate in the contest.
Monika Kuszynska In The Name Of Love (Eurovision 2015)