Dog Whisperer Daniela Schirmer

Daniela Schirmer had high hopes when she decided to get a Canine Companion for Independence about three years ago, but she never could have imagined the bond she would develop with Zandra (Z-Dog).

ReWalker/Travel Diva Marcela Turnage

Marcela Turnage made her public debut in a 2014 Baltimore Sun article on the ReWalk exoskeleton. Since then she’s become one of the faces of the company and has enjoyed a wild ride around the world.

Advocate Turned Politician Willis Washington

Politics had never been a thing for Willis Washington. Yet Washington, 44 and a T11 paraplegic, found himself going door to door, raising money and calling voters, trying to convince them to elect him to Oklahoma’s House of Representatives.

Erin Gildner: Passion and Purpose

Erin Gildner’s life was falling apart when, under the influence of alcohol, she wrecked her vehicle and found herself paralyzed. Her injury led her to public speaking, and that helped her find her passion for public health and the purpose she had been lacking.

Rob Wudlick: Finding His Voice

United Spinal member Rob Wudlick had no idea he had a knack and a passion for advocacy when he broke his neck in a diving accident six years ago. Yet in the spring of this year, he helped secure $6 million for SCI research in Minnesota. How quickly things change.

Andrea Dalzell: Ignoring Doubters

Nurses always had United Spinal member Andrea Dalzell’s back since she started dealing with transverse myelitis at age 5. Now 29, the former Ms. Wheelchair New York is eager to repay the favor when she graduates from nursing school this year.