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Jessika Maiz is one woman on wheels you’ll never forget, but it’s not because she uses a wheelchair. With a personality so big it eclipses a room, this Florida–native loves life and is passionate about everything she does. Health issues however have followed this fierce woman since she was a teenager. A spinal cord injury is just one of the health issues she’s had to fight through.
What we love about Jessika is that she hasn’t let these issues stop her from having the passion for life she’s always had. Always a huge fitness fanatic, she’s still one till this day. She’s also found new passions since her injury, from the fun – indoor skydiving – to the serious – spinal cord injury research advocacy. Read more about Jessika’s ongoing journey below.
Why She’s Fearless
At age 14, doctors found a benign lipoma tumor on her spine. Fortunately, they were able to remove it and she was tumor–free, without paralysis, for 12 years. At the age of 26 however, the tumor returned returned, and this time she became paralyzed after she underwent another surgery to remove it. Although after a few months in rehab she was able to walk out of the hospital using a walker, the tumor returned again. She is now a full-time wheelchair user with a T2 incomplete injury.
As one can imagine, the ups and downs of having a tumor can be taxing, but this former “gym rat” is tough. She now has two passions – raising awareness for spinal cord injury research and adaptive sports. It began when Jessika signed up for Red Bull’s first Wings for Life World Run in 2014. She has participated in this awareness event since it’s inception and is one of their official Ambassadors.
She’s also discovered adaptive fitness parks that are around the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area where she lives. She loves making videos showing how to use these parks from a wheelchair. “I never give up,” she says and you can especially see this in her videos.
Jessica also discovered the freedom of adaptive SCUBA since her injury. She also loves adapted surfing and indoor skydiving. She can be credited for helping spread awareness of indoor skydiving for wheelchair-users throughout Florida.
What’s Next?
Jessika met after her Rey, who also has a SCI, and fell in love. And in 2019, they got married. Jessika and Rey share their adventures together on her Youtube channel using the hashtag – #ItsThatWheelKindofLove.
They share helpful wheelchair life info as well, from how they travel together, such as how to pack two manual wheelchairs in the backseat of a car, to their adventures in Florida from surfing to going on a day-trip to Saint Augustine. They also share their international travels.
And Jessika speaks about her injury, spreading awareness on the importance spinal cord injury research whenever she can. She is a true soldier in the SCI army and we are grateful for all of the goodness she’s infusing into the community.
ideas@spinalpedia.com
