Lindsey Becker, Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee, came all the way from Nashville to serve as a guest speaker for SOTA yesterday, and I had the opportunity to attend. I knew before I walked out of there that my next Neuro Note would be about her. I was so touched by her story and inspired that she uses her diagnosis to help others. I learned so much on what it was like to be in her shoes and also how to always view a person as a whole. Lindsey was born with spina bifida and has been a wheelchair user for most of her life and also is a cancer survivor. She is happily married to her husband, Wes, who is a veteran that is also a wheelchair user due to a terrible motor cycle accident which left him paralyzed from the waste down. Being that Wes is a veteran, they received a grant from the VA to completely re-model their house to adapt to their needs. For example, counter tops adjusted to their reach, roll in shower, and a huge ramp that led to their back deck. Had they not had these changes, life could be much more difficult, which is why adapting is SO important! She also mentioned challenges that she has faced throughout her life. She really preached how individuals need to think about that person functionally and not their physical disability. This made me glad to be going into a holistic profession because that is our biggest job! She is very independent and in order to be independent she needs the lightest wheelchair possible, and some people do not think about that, which is so unfair. People in wheelchairs should not have to worry about going in public and worrying whether or not they will be able to have a seat at a restaurant or get into the doors at a concert, but, unfortunately, Lindsay faces challenges like this everyday and that is why she is all over the state of Tennessee advocating for people just like her.
Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee is not a beauty contest; contestants are chosen based on accomplishments, involvement, and advocacy. Lindsey is very passionate about educating others on the importance of resources within the community of individuals with disabilities. She uses her story to help others to make a positive difference in the world. One of my favorite things she said yesterday was "many people think my life if miserable, but my life is great." She is such a strong person, and does not let the fact of her being in a wheelchair get her down. Something that is really important to her and her husband is advocating all the many resources out their. One of the biggest things that has helped Lindsey and Wes was finding programs and groups available to them with individuals going through the same thing that they were. Lindsey was a part of the ABLE youth, which gave her the opportunity to perform in so many activities with kids that were also disabled. Wes joined a group in Nashville where he is able to play sports like softball and tennis. They both mentioned how these programs have changed their lives and they want more people to know about them to help them see the positive in their disability.
Not only was Lindsey Becker crowned Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee, she has since then started a YouTube channel and a blog called "Meant To Be Lindsey B". She uses these as resources to help encourage others and to write about her personal experiences. Every blog has a theme that everything in life is "meant to be", which is so creative! I look up and admire individuals like Lindsey who are so strong and never look at the negative in life. Lindsey is preparing for another chapter in her life as she prepares for Ms. Wheelchair America 2019 and I wish her the best of luck! Be sure and check out her channel and website!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnRCO5qCNeoIUflFCpIf8sw/featured
Blog: http://meanttobelindseyb.com/about-me
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