She penned a novel, appeared on a reality show for two seasons and founded her own dance team. These are moments of success for Chelsie Hill, but they have also been avenues to advocate for a bigger issue.
Growing up in Pacific Grove, California, Hill has had a drive and a passion for dancing since she started walking, and she joined her first dance team at the age of five. Her love of dance stayed strong into high school.
One night in 2010, Hill went out with friends, and she got in the passenger seat of a car with a friend who had been drinking. The car collided head-on with a tree, snapping Hill’s back in half. From that day on, at the age of 17, Hill was a paraplegic.
“Everything I did able-bodied I had to re-learn in a wheelchair. It took me a good year to really comprehend how to do all of this. Even though every day is a struggle it gets easier as time goes on,” said Hill.
In 2012, Hill was given the opportunity to appear on a new reality show set in Los Angeles, called Push Girls, that followed the lives of women who had been paralyzed.
“When I became a part of the show, I didn't realize what I was getting into. It helped me grow into myself as a woman and taught me a lot. The best part was the continuous support in the community and how the word got out to so many people,” Hill said. “This show really helped show not only the differently-abled community but also the able-bodied community that when living with a different ability you can still live a full life!”
The origin of Hill’s advocacy work can be traced back to when she was still lying in her hospital bed after her accident. Her father discussed the possibility of starting a non-profit.
Now, four years later, the Seaside, California-based Walk and Roll Foundation has been educating high school and college students about the dangers of drunk and distracted driving through its Rally4Reality program, inspiring and providing for those who have suffered spinal cord injuries.
"I KNOW WHAT IT FEELS LIKE NOT TO HAVE
A VOICE . . . WHEN I DID GET IT BACK, I USED IT
TO HELP OTHERS."
“My biggest motivation behind all of this is my father. He has pushed me to become the woman I am today,” said Hill. “Also, knowing that before I was so blind to the possibility that this could happen. I know what it feels like to not have a voice, and I told myself that when I did get it back, I used it to help others.”
The inspirational part of the organization is the nine-member wheelchair dance team that Hill is a part of.
“Through the few years of traveling to expos, I found that there were so many young girls my age that wanted to dance as well. I didn't want distance to come in the way of that, so I asked the girls if they wanted to perform in a dance show Walk and Roll was putting on and they all said yes. When we all got together the energy in the room was truly incredible. After our first performance the word got out and we haven't stopped since.”
This year Hill co-authored a fictional novel, Push Girl, that uses her experience for the basis of the main character, Kara.
“The message of Push Girl is turning her limitation into an opportunity to educate others. Not only is she going through a life changing tragedy but also learning who is most important in her life,” said Hill.
Hill’s life-altering experience shed a new light on what she previously had thought about disability.
“Before I became paralyzed, I always had a soft spot for people who had a disability. I would think to myself, that’s very sad. Now, I realize I couldn't have even imagined what it would be like. It’s a whole other life. I know that I could have gone down the path of becoming depressed, but I knew that wasn't me, and thankfully I have some amazing people in my life I can count on to help me stay positive,” said Hill.
As for the way Hill wants to be defined, it is a lot more than her different ability.
“I guess you could say that I am a woman on a mission! I have become an entrepreneur, dancer, author, model, national speaker and push girl,” said Hill.
