Today every niche community out there can find their people on social media. For individuals with spinal cord injuries, support groups and influencers offer connection, solidarity, information and resources. Influencers in particular can play a role in recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI). When survivors see their peers thriving, it brings hope and inspires motivation. By sharing tips for navigating life with SCI, influencers have this unique opportunity to help others in the community.
Have you heard any of these names? The following accounts are worth exploring. These individuals with SCI offer informative and inspirational content for people with spinal cord injuries, with the goal of helping others navigate the challenges and share in the triumphs of SCI life.
Zack Collie
Zack is a husband, father, therapist, a Reeve Community Leader, and a quadriplegic since 2010. He shares daily life and routines, openly shares the challenges he faces, discusses relationships, including dating and the unique aspects of maintaining intimacy after a spinal cord injury. He also shares heartwarming content about his journey into fatherhood, highlighting the joys and challenges of raising a child as a quadriplegic parent. Find Zack on Instagram at @zackcollie7 or follow his YouTube channel Quad Life With Zack where he has more than 181K subscribers.
Jesi Stracham
Jesi is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, adaptive athlete, advocate for individuals with SCI, and paraplegic since 2015. Known for her adaptive exercise videos and her raw and honest portrayal of life with SCI, showcasing her determination and active lifestyle. Jesi is Founder of the Wheel With Me Foundation and Adapt Fit app. Subscribe to her YouTube Wheel With Me or follow her on Instagram/TikTok @jesistracham.
Mason Ellis
Mason is a Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation peer mentor, motivational speaker, disability content creator and quadriplegic since 2015. He shares practical advice on his YouTube channel around navigating daily life with a spinal cord injury, reviews products that assist with daily tasks, and his passion for adaptive outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. Follow his Instagram and TikTok @masonx54.
Steph Aiello
Steph is a makeup artist, social media influencer, disability advocate, captain of the Rollettes Wheelchair Dance Team, and quadriplegic since 2010. On her YouTube channel, U Walk I Glide, videos showcase how she adapts tools and techniques to overcome the challenges of limited hand and wrist movement. Steph is also a vocal advocate for disability inclusion and representation, particularly within the beauty industry. She challenges stereotypes and promotes accessible products. Follow Steph’s TikTok and Instagram @uwalk_iglide.
Anthony Sanchez
Anthony is a father, actor, model, influencer, and quadriplegic since 2014. He shares fitness routines, parenting experiences, and candid conversations about dating and disability on his YouTube channel, Wheelchair Papi Show as well as his Instagram and TikTok @wheelchairpapi. His authentic and confident portrayal as a paralyzed individual resonates with a large audience.
Gina Schuh
Gina candidly shares her experiences with SCI, including dating, accessibility challenges during travel, and navigating financial aspects of disability. She shares videos primarily focusing on her life as a quadriplegic and her advocacy work. She uses humor to address serious issues and break down barriers, sharing her experiences and insights as a quadriplegic since 2003. Follow her Instagram and TikTok @oopsibrokemyneck.
Travis Gilmore
Travis shares his journey of rehabilitation, adaptations, and finding ways to continue living an active and fulfilling life as a quadriplegic since 2020. He shares videos of adaptive driving using hand controls, jet skiing, tubing behind a boat, adaptive hand cycling, and playing basketball. One viral video features his friends helping him ride a Jet Ski. Follow his YouTube here or find him on Instagram @travisgilmoree.
Ali Ingersoll
Ali is a nationally recognized keynote speaker, corporate belonging consultant, Ms. Wheelchair America 2023 title holder, health equity advocate, and quadriplegic since 2010. On her YouTube Quirky Quad, Ali shares about her life and advocacy work; a major focus of her content is navigating the complexities of the healthcare system and fighting for necessary equipment and services for people with disabilities. She shares strategies and insights on how to be your own advocate in this process. Follow her Instagram @quirkyquad
Cole Syndor
Quadriplegic since 2011, Cole’s videos showcase his life with his able-bodied partner, addressing questions surrounding their relationship, and raising awareness about accessibility and dating in a wheelchair. The couple actively advocates for disability rights and universal design in product creation. Follow the YouTube channel he runs with his partner at Role with Cole and Charisma and check out his Instagram @roll.with.cole.
Jessica Tawil
Jessica is an influencer whose content focuses on educating people about SCI and normalizing the daily experiences of wheelchair users. She covers topics ranging from transfers and personal care to answering intimate questions about being paralyzed, such as sex and bladder function. Subscribe to her YouTube here or follow her on Instagram @jesstawil. Paraplegic since 2015, Jessica uses her platform to advocate for disability awareness and promotes a message of resilience.
Spinal cord injury has the capacity to turn our lives upside down. Finding ourselves again can be a journey. And although each journey is unique, we are all presented with the same similar challenge: making life work with limitations. Turning at times to mentors and peers in the community can help us rise to the challenge.
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