United Spinal Updates

Amplify Disabled Voices This July – Disability Pride Month

Jul 19, 2022

July is Disability Pride Month which aims to break down social stigma around disability, celebrate the history of the Disability Rights movement and celebrate the contributions the disability community has made to society. The disability community makes up 15% of the world’s population, making it the largest minority group in the world, however Disability Pride Month is not recognized as widely as other movements.

We invite you to learn more about Disability Pride Month and the impact it has on our community from 8 wheelchair users who have shared their perspectives on Instagram.

Eddie Ndopu

Eddie is an award-winning human rights advocate and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocate. He is currently working on a memoir titled Sipping Dom Perignon Through a Straw.

 

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A post shared by Eddie Ndopu (@eddiendopu)

Christina Chambers

Christina has Transverse Myelitis and uses a wheelchair for mobility. She is an adaptive personal trainer based in Phoenix and co-host of STFD Podcast.

Erin Field

Erin acquired a C5/6 spinal cord injury in 2017 and is currently working towards becoming a Disability Rights Lawyer.

 

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A post shared by Erin Field (@erin.fieldd)

Andraéa LaVant

Andraéa is President of LaVant Consulting which leads trainings/workshops, events and programs that aim to foster authentic disability-inclusive cultures within your organization. She was involved in the making of the film Crip Camp and is a board member for United Spinal.

 

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A post shared by Andraéa LaVant (@andraealavant)

Georgina Wasdall

Georgina uses a wheelchair due to Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS). She is a model and actress based in Britain.

Ashley Llorens

Ashley uses her platform to educate people on living with a spinal cord injury with her twin sister Nicole. She recently launched a clothing brand, LL Official.

 

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A post shared by Ashley Llorens (@ashleyllorens16)

Cory Lee

Cory is wheelchair user who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy and has been to 7 continents and 39 countries. He helps other wheelchair users travel the world through his blog and accessible tours.

Amanda Steijlen

Amanda uses a wheelchair due to chronic illness. She recently started a nonprofit organization, Wheely Big Dreams, that aims to provide adaptive equipment and services to physically disabled individuals.