#WeSeeYou is BlackDoctor.org’s new weekly series highlighting those unsung heroes of health who are doing something incredible that needs to be shown to the world. We acknowledge them, celebrate them and honor them. We see you!
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is a common phrase that many people know and recite, but few actually live by it.
Enter Alexis, who by all means has every right to be sour at life for the lemons thrown her way, but she chose to bask in the sweet taste of life instead. Alexis was in a car accident just when she was a young girl that left her paralyzed from the waist down. She has taken that truth and made a great mark on her life by showcasing her ability and what she can do instead of what she can't.
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The beautiful college graduate shows her appreciation for life on her social media. Here's what and why she believed it happened in her own words.
"Today marks 22 years since I was in a car accident that left me paralyzed from the waist down. Throughout the years there have been times that felt like everything was falling apart when faced with constant struggles but little did I know my life was actually coming together. I share my story every year to remind myself and others that even when you feel like the odds are stacked against you or you just feel defeated,as long as you keep going and trying then you are progressing!"
"Of course, I look confident and happy to you but I face adversity every day and have learned to tackle every obstacle with a smile on my face. So when you see my smile know that means I’m fighting every day, for myself and to show everyone that they too can do anything."
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"As December 9th comes every year, some may think it'd give me a bitter sweet feeling. It actually excites me.. this is the day God planned to show his work to everyone as well as myself... God wanted to show me just how much he loved me and that was my second chance at life. I've learned so much throughout this journey and looking forward to learning more."
"From being told by the doctors that I will never be able to do anything for myself or live on my own to fighting everyday to prove them wrong is the reason why today means everything to me."
Paralysis is dramatically more widespread than previously thought. Approximately 1.7 percent of the U.S. population, or 5,357,970 people reported they were living with some form of paralysis,...
...defined by the study as a central nervous system disorder resulting in difficulty or inability to move the upper or lower extremities.
The leading cause of paralysis was stroke (33.7 percent), followed by spinal cord injury (27.3 percent) and multiple sclerosis (18.6 percent).
People living with paralysis have households with lower incomes. Roughly 28% of households with a person who is paralyzed make less than $15,000 per year.
On the employment front, 15.5% of individuals living with paralysis are employed versus 63.1% who are not living with a disability. Additionally, 41.8% of those living with paralysis indicated they were unable to work.
Thank you Alexis for your attitude, your positive nature and your beauty inside and out. You are truly an inspiration.
