With the use and the popularity of social media, it is here to stay! This post will list some of the inspirational and influential people in wheelchairs to follow on social media to encourage you to succeed. You have the opportunity to follow everyone from athletes, disability advocates, TV celebrities, bloggers to inspirational speakers and more. Learning about others who have disabilities and the way they overcome their own obstacles in life as they encourage and motivate others to live a fulfilled life regardless of limitations.
Here is our list of inspirational people in wheelchairs to follow on social media:
Stephen Hawking
Who was he:
Professor Stephen Hawking (1942 – 2018) was a wheelchair user and has lived with MND for more than 40 years. Doctors told him he wouldn’t live two years beyond the age of 21 when he was diagnosed with ALS, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was unable to talk, breathe easy, walk and hold up his head in an upright position.
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Why you should follow Stephen Hawking:
He is an internationally renowned Physicist that shares his thoughts about the world and his life through captivating posts.
Social Media Profile:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephenhawking
Nick Vujicic
Who is he:
Nick Vujicic is a motivational speaker and worldwide YouTube sensation that travels around the world sharing inspiration and shedding light on life’s issues. He has tetra-amelia syndrome which means he was not born with limbs.
Why you should follow Nick Vujicic:
He is a New York Times best-selling author that shares his courage, passion for life and inspirational story and motivational quotes through a variety of social media outlets.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NickVujicic
Website: https://www.lifewithoutlimbs.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/NickVujicicTV
Steve Wilkinson
Who is he:
Steve Wilkinson is the founder of International Wheelchair Day. He is also an inspirational speaker and trainer who helps people appreciate life with a disability.
Why you should follow Steve Wilkinson:
Steve is on a mission to make the world more accessible for other wheelchair users and people who have non-standard needs.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wheelchairsteve
Website: https://wheelchairsteve.com
John Charles Hockenberry
Who is he:
John Charles Hockenberry is a Peabody and Emmy Award winning American journalist and author. He has been using a wheelchair since the age of 19 when he was in a car accident that caused a spinal cord injury.
Why you should follow John Charles Hockenberry:
His intriguing and entertaining post are thought provoking and address political, racial and other issues that arise on a day-to-day basis.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jhockenberry
Website: https://www.thetakeaway.org
Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham
Who is he:
Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham has been in a wheelchair since the age of three due to spina bifida. He is an extreme wheelchair athlete that is known worldwide for his unique performances adapted from BMX and skateboarding.
Why you should follow Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham:
Aaron Fotheringham shares daily news, updates, exciting videos, fun clips and pictures. He inspires others to get out of their comfort zone and go for what they want in life.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AaronWheelz
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wcmx4life
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AaronFotheringham
Website: https://www.aaronfotheringham.com/
Santina Muha
Who is she:
Santina Muha is an American actress, writer, host, public speaker, comic and media consultant. She was involved in a car accident at the age of five that left her paralyzed.
Why you should follow Santina Muha:
Santina shares funny, entertaining posts on a daily basis through various social media outlets. She shares her humorous daily views about the world, exciting details about her career and more.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/santinamuha
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/santina.muha
Instagram: https://instagram.com/njsantina/
Itzhak Perlman
Who is he:
Itzhak Perlman is a Israeli-American violinist and conductor. His legs were paralyzed permanently when he was four years old due to polio.
Why you should follow Itzhak Perlman:
He shares his music, thoughts, sense of humor and view on life that entertains and encourages others.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Itzhakperlmanofficial
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/itzhakperlman
Twitter: https://twitter.com/perlmanofficial
Website: https://www.itzhakperlman.com/
Tatyana McFadden
Who is she:
Tatyana McFadden is a Russian-born United States Paralympian athlete that competes in the T54 category. She has attended multiple Summer Paralympic Games and has won 10 medals and counting.
Why you should follow Tatyana McFadden:
She shares her high spirited energy for life and passion for racing through exciting posts and includes fun racing pictures.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ParalympianTatyanaMcFadden
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tatyanamcfadden
Website: https://tatyanamcfadden.com/
Ade Adepitan
Who is he:
Ade Adepitan is a British wheelchair basketball player and television presenter. He has been a wheelchair user since childhood when he contracted polio and loss use of his left leg.
Why you should follow Ade Adepitan:
His fun and caring personality shines through every post. He shares pictures of his daily adventures and has fun along the way.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ade-Adepitan/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/adeadepitan
Website: https://adeadepitan.com/
Tanni Grey-Thompson
Who is she:
Tanni Grey-Thompson is a parliamentarian, television presenter and former wheelchair racer. She was born in Cardiff, Whales and has been a wheelchair user since childhood. She is known as one of Great Britain’s most successful Paralympians.
Why you should follow Tanni Grey-Thompson:
She posts various captivating posts on Twitter throughout each day. She shares current sports stats, discusses a variety of athletes and shares her personal daily pictures of who she meets and where she goes.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tanni_gt
Website: https://www.tanni.co.uk/
Joni Eareckson Tada
Who is she:
Joni Eareckson Tada became a wheelchair user after a diving accident left her paralyzed and unable to use her hands and legs. She is an evangelical Christian author, radio host and the founder of her organization Joni and Friends.
Why you should follow Joni Eareckson Tada:
She welcomes you into her world and shares inspirational videos that encourage you to find true happiness, peace and much more.
Social Media Profiles:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5Ahuz2TiEpQ0y-DgaVHhcA
Website: https://www.joniandfriends.org/
Daryl Mitchell
Who is he:
Daryl “Chill” Mitchell is an American actor know for various roles in television and movies. In 2001, he was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in him being paralyzed from the waist down. He has created his own foundation named the “Daryl Mitchell Foundation” and has become one of the best advocates for minorities with spinal cord injuries.
Why you should follow Daryl Mitchell:
Daryl shares daily posts about his life, interests, upcoming acting roles, celebrity friends, his foundation and much more.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Daryl-Chill-Mitchell/125817924395
Twitter: https://twitter.com/darylchillmitch
Cory Lee
Who is he:
Cory Lee is a college graduate that is on a quest to visit every continent in the world. He is devoted to sharing his travel experiences around the world from a wheelchair user’s perspective.
Why you should follow Cory Lee:
Cory shares details about his travels, provides tips, shares pictures and much more.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CurbFree
Twitter: https://twitter.com/coryleetweets
Website: https://www.curbfreewithcorylee.com/
Esther Vergeer
Who is she:
Esther Vergeer was diagnosed with Vascular myelopathy that was causing strokes throughout her life. She had a nine-hour operation that resulted in her not being able to move her legs. She is a Dutch Paralympic athlete that has won 7 titles and 42 Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Why you should follow Esther Vergeer:
Her daily posts on Twitter provide fun, interesting information about wheelchair tennis and other sports. She shares details about current athletes as well shares her ambitious and positive attitude with others.
Social Media Profiles:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/esthervergeer
Website: https://www.esthervergeer.nl/
Teal Sherer
Who is she:
Teal Sherer is an American actress and advocate for the inclusion of performers with disabilities in the entertainment industry. She was involved in a terrible car accident when she was 14 years old where she broke her back and became a paraplegic.
Why you should follow Teal Sherer:
She shares fun and interesting posts about her daily life, family, acting jobs and more.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tealsherer
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tealsherer
Website: https://www.tealsherer.com
Sue Austin
Who is she:
Sue Austin is a British artist that has been using a wheelchair for two decades due to an extended illness. Doctors informed her of her limitations but she pushed forward and now inspires people around the world as she scuba dive’s with her innovative underwater wheelchair creating beautiful visual art.
Why you should follow Sue Austin:
Sue challenges others to rethink the way they see people with disabilities. She breaks down barriers and shares captivating pictures, videos and other fun and interesting posts.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Freewheeling4
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sueaustinartist
Website: https://www.susanaustin.co.uk/
Tamara Mena
Who is she:
Tamara Mena was paralyzed in a car accident that killed her boyfriend who had saved her life. After surviving the serious accident, she had a new appreciation for and chose to dedicate her life motivating others and sharing her message of hope.
Why you should follow Tamara Mena:
Tamara lives her life with appreciation and zest. Her posts, pictures, videos and messages share her passion for life and shows she is a warrior when working to reach her goals.
Social Media Profiles:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamara.mena.58
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamaramena1
Website: https://tamaramena.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/MenaTamara1
It’s your choice to follow these inspirational and influential people. They will surely provide encouragement, motivation, laughter, entertainment, tips and plenty of informational tweets or Facebook posts about overcoming daily obstacles for those who are wheelchair users. Each of them has captivating stories to share that show the determination and passion that drives them to be the people they are today.
