Meet The Aspiring Resilient Disability, Activist: Madison Russe…

Picture this-you’re 18, about to start the next chapter of your life and go off to college when you are told you have a spinal cord injury caused by an autoimmune disease, and now you will become a wheelchair user.

Madison Russell is T-5 in complete paraplegic from a spinal cord injury caused by syringomyelia glutinous she uses a wheelchair full-time and has limited leg movement. Now four years later, she has discovered her love for advocacy. I had the chance to talk to her about the evolution of her advocacy journey.

I know some people struggle with feeling a part of the disability community. If they were not always disabled, is that something that affects you? If so, how did you get over it?

What policy changes do you think need to be made?

Did your advocacy work start with advocating for different bills, or did it start somewhere else?

Why do you want to become a disability advocate?

What would it be if you could advise someone on being a disability advocate?

Remember, no change is too small, and if you want something done, don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and your community because you never know when that one conversation you had with someone will make a difference. Advocacy work doesn’t always have to be extensive and elaborate; it could be simply advocating for more ramps or elevators. Don’t be afraid to take up space, be yourself, and work towards making a better world for yourself and the rest of the disabled community.

If you’re interested in hearing more about Madison’s story, look out for her episode coming next month.

Until next time,

Liv