FOR WESLEY HAMILTON, THERE’S JOY IN EMPOWERING OTHERS.
ON THE
move highlighting nonprofits that promote healthy, active lifestyles
“We want to help people create their own perspective on life so they can live the life they want to live,” says Hamilton, the founder of Disabled But Not Really (DBNR). “We help them do that through a focus on nutrition, fitness and mental health.” DBNR is a Kansas City, Missouri-based nonprofit that emphasizes the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle for people with disabilities. Hamilton developed the idea out of his own personal experience after suffering a spinal cord injury from a gunshot that left him paralyzed. “At the time of my diagnosis, I didn’t really think about accepting myself as much as getting back to the image society was comfortable with,” he says. Hamilton, who’d been overweight most of his life, enrolled in a nutrition class at a local community college and began applying what he learned. In a year’s time—while he was on bedrest 21 hours a day—Hamilton lost 100 pounds. His success fueled his passion to help others, and DBNR was born.
“WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE CREATE THEIR OWN PERSPECTIVE ON LIFE SO THEY CAN LIVE THE LIFE THEY WANT TO LIVE.”
30 | Let’s Get Moving
