City: New Orleans, Louisiana

What is your fundraising goal? $600

In a few sentences, tell us about the course you've chosen or designed for this year's Freestyle Challenge event: On Saturday 25 June I will raise funds for Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP) at an Adaptive Water-Skiing event hosted by the Louisiana group Skidawgs. Being pulled behind a motor boat as I sit on top of a chair attached to water skis, I will jump as many waves and ride as far and as fast as I can to raise money to find a cure for spinal cord injury (SCI).

Describe your connection to U2FP, why you chose to run in support of U2FP, and your personal connection to the spinal cord injury and paralysis community: I am a paraplegic, a wheelchair user and a person with lived experience. A three-time winner of surviving spinal cord injuries. In 2019 I attended the U2FP Science & Advocacy Symposium in Cleveland which opened my eyes to the meaning of being a person with lived experience. It also opened doors that I didn’t know existed. From that conference I met an incredible group of people with SCI and many others who would teach me more about my disability than any book or article or scientific presentation. Cleveland also has given me the opportunity to work in a consulting capacity writing grants for Unite 2 Fight Paralysis. And maybe more importantly are the friendships I have developed since the 2019 symposium, for which I am very grateful.

What makes you nervous or excited about U2FP's Freestyle Challenge? I'm excited to participate in the U2FP’s Freestyle Challenge. I have never raised money for an organization in this manner and I am passionate about both the cause, supporting a cure for SCI, and the organization.

Fun Facts - tell us something unique or interesting about you? Former beekeeper, former chicken keeper, avid gardener, self-advocate and local agitator, especially when it comes to local businesses not adhering to ADA standards.