Cynde Soto: Long Beach’s Own Bionic Woman

Downtown Long Beach resident, Cynde Soto, has accomplished more in one year's time than most people will achieve in an entire lifetime. With each passing year, her long list of triumphs never ceases to grow. Virtually no feat that life offers her is an easy one, as Cynde's body is of very little use to her. Nonetheless, she remains undeterred, and her beautiful mind, and highly positive attitude, make her a force to be reckoned with.

Cynde was born with Arthrogryposis, a congenital disability that prevents her from walking and significantly impairs the movement of her hands, as well as her arms. Doctors did not expect her to live beyond twenty-one years of age.

Today, at the age of “56 years young,” Cynde’s steadfast determination is boundless, and more evident than ever.  The inner-strength and self-confidence she possesses is remarkable, and she never fails to put these assets to good use; these qualities, among others, serve to make her an inspiration to all who meet her.

Several years ago, Cynde sustained a spinal cord injury that left her paralyzed below her shoulders. Undaunted, she taps away on her computer, and manipulates a mouse, using only her chin and mouth.

Cynde has been a disability rights advocate since the age of 19. Her efforts have substantially impacted many facets of disabled rights, including accessible public transportation, peer counseling and hate-crime activism.

Cynde is a graduate of the California Conference for Equality and Justice’s (CCEJ) training program, which assists victims of hate crime and bias incidents in Long Beach. She has held board and membership positions on the Dial-a-Lift Access Appeals Board for Long Beach Transit; Californians for Disability Rights, Beech-Wood Chapter (president, 1993–1996); Citizens Advisory Commission on Disabilities for the City of Long Beach; the ADA Transition Plan Committee for the City of Long Beach; and the Long Beach Transit/Paratransit Advisory Committee.

In addition, Cynde has extensive training in legislation, conflict resolution, and public speaking, as well as in many other practices related to disabled advocacy.

Three years ago, KABC-news organized an investigation of Los Angeles County’s Motor Transit Authority’s continuous ADA violations. Cynde proudly partook in this investigation by serving as an  undercover participant, in the hopes of enhancing public awareness of the profound humiliation and disrespect endured on the part of disabled transit passengers in the Los Angeles area. She declared a need for change, and her efforts brought huge, long-lasting, and beneficial improvements for disabled transit passengers everywhere. Cynde’s impact in this area is far-reaching, crossing the city’s borders,  thereby, continuing to have a positive influence on the county, the state and the country.

For the past five years, she worked on state budget issues pertaining to those in the disabled community. Last year, she was sent twice to both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. to represent three different organizations to the state Assembly, Senate and Congress to educate them about the needs and concerns of the disabled.

“There have been cuts, but not as severe as the legislators and the governor wanted,” Cynde said. “We were able to slow down the process so they didn't happen as quickly as proposed.”

Last year, Cynde was awarded a 27th Senate District's Women of Distinction Award by Senator Alan Lowenthal, who recognized her at a special reception.

Cynde Soto with Senator Alan Lowenthal

Lowenthal made the following statement about Cynde:

“Cynde exemplifies this award. [We] both served on the MTA Gateway Cities Sector Council together. She was the first person selected to fill the position representing the disabled community, and she served with distinction. She is highly respected by all who know her, and for that reason, she was often selected as an advocate. She picks her battles wisely and fights for accessible transit, housing and independence for those with disabilities. She is a powerful voice for the disabled community.”

Two years ago, Cynde was honored with a “Go Long Beach” award.  This recognition is given to individuals who have made an impact on the First District, as well as Long Beach, in general.

One would think that Cynde’s “spare time” involves resting at home, and allowing herself to be cared for. In actuality, her work seems to be a large source of fuel for the fire that drives her incredible mind and spirit; Cynde uses her work to “recharge her batteries” and keep her psyche strong.

One of Cynde's interests include producing artwork made of “found objects”. According to Cynde,

"Found object art has a long history in the fine arts world. I’ve been asked 'why collect broken junk?' Well, I can relate to these broken and discarded objects as a person with a disability. Someone has decided that the objects I find are no longer useful because they don’t look or function like they used to or should. I, on the other hand, can see their innate beauty and usefulness. Much of society has decided that people with disabilities are dispensable and useless, so I feel compelled, driven even to collect broken and discarded objects to organize them into beautiful and much useful artwork."

Before her complete paralysis, she created small detailed color-enhanced laser prints from collages she made, using an assorted variety of random objects she had found. The dreamlike creations still symbolize her way of expressing concern for the limited resources of Mother Earth. They have been exhibited throughout California. “My art expresses the unspoken of my consciousness,” Cynde said.

She now volunteers at the Information Center for People with Disabilities (ICPD) at the Main Long Beach Library, assisting patrons with specially adapted computers. As a lifelong learner, she completed the Housing Long Beach Leadership Academy and is now Board President for Housing Long Beach.

“So, now I am taking what I learned from the Academy and from my life experience and teaching a course called ‘Leadership through Advocacy,’” Cynde said. “The class will increase the confidence and advocacy skills of our students and their sense of disability pride.”

Cynde’s students all have disabilities and attend the class in downtown L.A. The class goals include history of disability and the ADA,  fostering new leadership, consumer education, public speaking and communication through the media and community organizing.

As a woman who makes all different kinds of differences, Cynde Soto richly deserves her acclaim, and will inspire everyone who knows and learns about her to make differences in their own right. She is amazing in every sense of the word.

Written by Kate Karp
Edited by Tierney Cameron

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Hear Cynde speak at Happy Friday! 

Happy Friday is a monthly event held at the end of each month, with the intention of promoting disability awareness, while at the same time, serving as an environment to foster lasting, empowering connections in the Long Beach community.

When: Friday, July 26 from 6pm-8pm
Where: Pathpoint, 1406 Obispo Ave, Long Beach CA 90804

Check out our facebook for more information about the event!