Amanda

My journey began when me and my family moved to the Phoenix area of Arizona from a small town in Iowa, when I was 18 years old. In July of 2000 (I was only 20 years old), I was in a motor vehicle accident, that left me a C6-7 quadriplegic. Basically, leaving me paralyzed from the chest down, but I have 100% of arm strength, but no use of fingers. I had a three month hospital stay, and after being discharged, I MET SO MANY SPECIAL PEOPLE, AND GAINED A TON OF NEW FRIENDS! I had to do one year of outpatient physical therapy. With the love and support of my family, my husband (we were just bestfriends the year of my car accident), and my recreational therapist, Jill Sclease; I turned my tragedy into a unique opportunity. I went back to college after I was finished with physical therapy, and Jill got me involved in peer mentoring spinal cord injuries., ( SCI, abbreviation for future references), in the hospital. Not everybody has the support system I have, which is why I teach new patients that they can still live a normal life being disabled. I also speak at various functions, telling disabled people about my life to let them know that they can still live a happy life being disabled. After I get my degree in social work, my goal is to start a foundation that will set up fun recreational activities for the disabled, plus, it will give the disabled a chance to interact and meet new friends. I want to be a good example for the disabled community. Since my car accident, I feel like I have done more in a wheelchair then I did walking. If you think I have a good attitude about being disabled at a young age, it's because of my husband, family, Jill S.,and Jill L. They helped me not to give up on life just because I became disabled. I don't know where I would be without them.
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