The decision through which Anja began to discover herself

The decision that changed her forever did not cause her to lose herself. It was then that she began to discover who she truly was.

Anja Mihaljević Ceranja was born in Zagreb in 1992 with fibular aplasia—without the fibula in her left leg, with a foot deformity and three toes. From early childhood, she spent a large part of her life in hospitals, undergoing therapy and operations.

She had her first operation at the age of five and underwent 34 surgical procedures while growing up. She was raised by her mother, Silvija, without a father, and those experiences shaped her into an independent and determined person.

After secondary school, she enrolled in the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb. There, she became a representative for people with disabilities and began actively drawing attention to the barriers they encounter every day—from inaccessibility and prejudice to difficulty finding employment.

While still a student, she founded Mogu sve, an association promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities, with the goal of creating a society of equal opportunities.

She made one of her most difficult decisions at just 21. After years of pain and unsuccessful operations, she chose to have her left lower leg amputated. Recovery was difficult, but the decision gave her greater freedom, mobility and confidence.

Today, she has more than ten years of experience in journalism, marketing and public relations. In 2024, she founded her own PR and marketing agency.

Through her association, public appearances and the ‘Anja Can Do Anything’ column on She.hr, she has spent years challenging stereotypes about people with disabilities. She speaks openly about the body, discrimination, mental health and every person's right to equal opportunities.

Anja's story is not about limitations. It is a story of personal choice, creation and the belief that everyone deserves to live without boundaries imposed on them by society.

We keep walking because every barrier removed creates space for people to choose their own path. None of us walks alone.