Ornella gunesekere biography definition

Ornella Gunesekera is the living embodiment of the power of faith.

At 13, she took a tumble during a routine basketball game. Little did she know that it would confine her to a lumbar brace for the next seven years triggering symptoms of an undetected birth defect, which would affect the rest of her life. Following the ill-fated game Ornella was diagnosed with spondylolisthesis; a spinal condition causing the lower vertebrae to slip forward to the bone directly beneath it.

To stop the condition worsening doctors proposed surgery; inserting two six-inch titanium rods and four screws to realign the spine. Ornella, now ravaged by pain, agreed. This was followed by six months of rehabilitation when she was bed-bound and nurses would brush her teeth for her.

Full Name – Ornella Mariam Jayasiri Gunesekere.

A further six months passed before the nerves fully healed. Thrilled to have a second chance Ornella threw herself at life. However, her happiness was short-lived. At 22, the titanium rods broke from over-exertion while Ornella was studying in the US. This meant more surgery. The second time around Ornella recovered faster — but she was now terrified of her own body and no longer trusted herself with it.

Returning home, Ornella began modelling, acting, and taking part in beauty pageants to build herself a career. But she always turned up. It sounded great, but there was a catch.