HOUSTON – The assignment was simple. I was told to go to the Toyota Center and take pictures of the stars walking the red carpet at the Latin Grammys. In this case, the carpet was green.

11 News photo

Anabel Rios and her mother, Maria.

When I arrived, I was directed to the stage where I was to set up.  

As I began to get the lay of the land, through the corner of my eye, I saw a woman sitting in a wheelchair just to my left.

I found her intriguing so I walked over and introduced myself. Little did I know that I was meeting the number one Latin Grammy fan.

Her name is Anabel Rios. She’s a 29-year-old who said she won the tickets in a contest.

“I have been trying all week to win tickets to the red carpet,” said Anabel. “I was finally the ninth caller and I won!  I can’t believe I won! I never imagined I’d be here.”

Anabel said she and her mother, Maria, left their northwest Houston home at 11 a.m. Friday to make it to the Toyota Center by 1 p.m.

That may not sound like a big deal to most of us, but Anabel has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound.

“I came on special transportation because I’m in a wheelchair. The city supplies special transportation for me to get from one location to another,” said Anabel.

Anabel said the tickets were for the green carpet only and that she would not be able to attend the show.

“It’s ok,” she said.

“I like to see what goes on backstage and this is fine for me. I mean, I’ve always been attracted to this music and stars. To me this is like 'wow',” said Anabel.

I wanted to stay with Anabel, but as the stars started to arrive, I had to return to my work space on the carpet. However, I couldn’t help but look to my left and watch Anabel’s reaction.

One by one, the stars would pass us and head towards her at the end of the green carpet for a picture and a hug.

Her smile was as big as the State of Texas.

When it was all over, I asked Anabel what she thought of the night.

“It was awesome! It was an awesome experience,” she said. “All of them (the celebrities) were really nice and really friendly. I’m never going to forget this experience.”

She said that being there was enough and that she didn’t need to attend the show.

It was then that two men with the Latin Grammys walked over to Anabel. They handed her and her mother a ticket to the show.

Anabel's face lit up!

“Eeee! I can’t believe it, I’m going to see the Grammys!” said Anabel, as her mom wheeled her away and into the Toyota Center.