Sabrina Cohen Miami Beach, FL, United States

C3-5, October 1992

I never understood the true meaning of "disability" or "wheelchair" until those words entered my vocabulary on a regular basis after injuring my spinal cord in a car accident at 14. I was an independent, carefree teenager suddenly transformed into a confused, dependant child. My life changed in ways I never imagined. From day one, however, I pretty much realized the importance of voicing my story to educate others on driving safe and the meaning of paralysis... how it affects you, everyone and everything around you. Nearly 15 years later, I'm still using my voice to educate others except nowadays its to promote the importance of advancing stem cell research... from hope and possibilities to medical breakthroughs across the board. As the recent founder of my own nonprofit organization to raise funds that support SCR right here in the United States, I strongly believe that one voice can make a difference. Two or three just might reshape the world.