LI F E O N WH E ELS
CRY ABOUT IT. WIPE YOUR TEARS. GET ON WITH YOUR LIFE. Written by: ROSA WALSTON LATIMER
Prior to July 2014, Tina Pedersen was a spirited woman who led a full, active life. She had many interests and shared in the activities of her two children. "When my kids, Hannah and Hunter, were growing up, I participated in everything they were doing," Pedersen said. "I believe in leading by example, so if Hannah wanted to do cheerleading, I was a cheerleading coach. If Hunter wanted to play football, I was the football mom and organized fundraisers. Whatever they did, I was 100% fully immersed." Pedersen had also overcome breast cancer twice and bladder cancer twice. On July 21, 2014, Pedersen walked into the hospital for minor surgery and, during the procedure, suffered a spinal stroke that left her legs paralyzed.
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"I have the unique perspective of having gone, in a few minutes, from the walking community to the 'rolling' community," Pedersen said. The 48-year-old's life situation may have changed drastically, but essentially Pedersen is the same dynamic person she has always been. Now she navigates life in a power wheelchair, but Pedersen's "life on wheels" possesses the same positive, energetic attitude that marked her life before this transformative event. "My life changed in a few minutes when I woke up to no feeling in my legs," Pedersen said. "This event completely altered the trajectory of my life, but I was no stranger to fighting battles. No matter what life throws at us, we need to meet it head-on and make the best of it. Making the best of my situation and finding solutions to my challenges provides me with the opportunity to help others. I believe my experience is a good example of the fact anyone could find themselves as part of this amazing community in the blink of an eye. Let's have the world ready for us now, so when someone else needs accessibility and inclusion, they have one less challenge to face." It didn't take long for Pedersen to begin adjusting to her new life. She immediately took her place as a fervent advocate for accessibility and inclusion for those with disabilities. "I've always been the person who was not going to let anything beat me. I hope to show others, especially younger women, that anything is possible
