Infectious Positivity Ms. Wheelchair Michigan doesn’t let paralyzed body define her Story by Emily Doran | Photos by Bryan Mitchell
N
orthville Township resident Laura Jackson has worn many hats over the years. She’s been an advocate for people with disabilities, a spokesperson for cheerleading safety and a political activist. Now, she’s added a tiara to the mix. The bubbly, outgoing 31-year-old, who is paralyzed from the neck down and relies on a ventilator to breathe, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2020 this past November in recognition of her advocacy work. “When I first broke my neck, I never thought I would be as involved as I am,” she said. “It’s funny the resilience you don’t know you have until you’re forced to have it.” In 2003, when she was 14, Jackson landed on her head while performing a back tuck during high school cheerleading
32 The ‘Ville
tryouts, and she broke her C1 and C2 vertebrae. She was in the hospital for seven months following the accident, and during that time, she wrestled with her new reality of being a quadriplegic. “It was a struggle comprehending what my future would look like,” she said. “The first day or two, you think this is absolutely the worst thing possible that could ever happen to anyone. You’re just devastated. And then you’re in ICU with other kids that are way worse. It’s like a reality check.” After that, Jackson’s perspective changed. “I figured, I can move my mind, and I can move my mind to stay positive, stay happy,” she said. “The one thing I could do is control my attitude. I’d rather laugh through life than cry or be mad through life.”
“We think to ourselves how terrible it is as a parent (that) you have a child that this has happened to,” said her mom, Melody Jackson. “But it’s like, if she can get up every day and do this, I guess we can, too.” Since then, Jackson has accomplished more than she initially Northville Township resident Laura Jackson was crowned thought Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2020 in November. possible. She MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS has earned both a bachelor’s Today, her positivity is and a master’s degree in infectious. business, and she has been