Meet Chelsie Hill
The SCI can’t stop you
Last week I had the chance to interview an amazing person, Chelsie Hill. She is a T-10 paraplegic. This pretty 22 year old girl gave me some of her time to share her story with myself and all of you. This interview was valuable and I have the feeling Chelsie is the kind of person who will inspire the SCI Community by her story, experiences and achievements. But believe me, I’m sure she already has!
Your accident happened 4 years ago due to a drunk driving car accident. Would you say that with time, this accident made you start a new life? I read you said “The SCI can’t stop you”
I was a passenger of the car when it hit a tree. The driver of the car had been drinking. When I realized that something bad happened, I immediately thought that there is nothing I can do about it and that I am going to stay in a chair my whole life doing nothing. What upset me the most was the thought that I will never be able to dance again. Indeed, I had performed dancing since the age of 3 and it had been my passion since then.
How long did it take you to realize/accept you’ll never be able to return to your previous life?
Even if the accident happened 4 years ago, it took time. You still think about it everyday and you have to live with it. You don’t really accept it deep inside you, but life goes on.
You have a passion for dancing and I saw the video of the World of Dance in LA. You created a wheelchair dance team. You said, “When I dance I don’t feel the chair.” Would you say dancing was your lead to move forward after the accident?
Yes, exactly! It is/was a way to escape and forget about some difficulties or complications. It always had been my hobby to dance and during the long process of therapy, I added some moments to dance too. Dancing is my therapy.
After your accident, you and your father quickly decided you needed to help other people with SCI. You founded the Walk & Roll Foundation. What are main goals of the foundation?
We founded the Walk and Roll Foundation to help SCI people to continue to reach their dreams in many ways. Walk and Roll Foundation consist of 3 parts; Educate through our distracted driving program, Inspire through our Wheelchair Dance Team and Provide through helping and assisting people living with Spinal Cord Injuries. The main purpose is the Rally4Reality program that was created to bring awareness to distracted driving amongst schools. The foundation also asks for donations to help those who cannot afford special equipment and wheelchairs.
You travelled throughout the United States to spread the word with the Rally4Reality public speaking program at middle schools and high schools. What is the feedback you have received from it? Do you think teenagers get touched and might make more intelligent decisions?
Yes, this program is a good way to meet with all these young people and to make them think about driving and drinking. They must reconsider their behavior and in the future make reasonable decisions. We received a lot of testimonials from students, and they really like to meet with me. It seems more real and touching.
You are part of the Push Girl TV show. It must be a wonderful experience!
Yes! Push Girl now has 2 seasons, and this is an incredible experience. Working with the girls and sharing feelings and experiences at a higher level is very pleasant. And moreover, with this different environment, I have the feeling I am learning my body again.
You co-wrote a novel based on the TV show Push Girl. Kara, the main character, has some similarities with you. How did you decide that you should write it? In what aim?
We decided it with the people from the series. It’s amazing and very exciting because we started a book signing tour, which is another way to reach and meet more people, and share life experiences.
Last question, Chelsie. What would you say to young SCI people? Which words you would have wanted to hear at the time of your accident?
I would give advice to them. The most important thing I would say is to surround yourself with people that love you. Your family is very important and also friends. They helped me to overcome this moment and showing they are around you makes you feel stronger.
Whatever has to happen, continue pushing your dreams. Don’t give up on your dream, just try to find a way to achieve them.
Dancing with your feet is one thing dancing with your heart is another
SCI Video Blog Team would like to thank Chelsie Hill for her time and devotion to the SCI Community. We also thank Jon Hill, Chelsie’s father.
Link to Chelsie’s website : http://www.chelsiehill.com
Link to Walk and Roll Foundation: http://walkandrollfoundation.org/
Video from World of Dance 2014 in L.A with the Walk and Roll Wheelchair Dance Team: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACEveuzsZWQ#t=13
