SCI Superstar: Rep. Jim Langevin

Zooming the halls of US Congress for over 20 years on his back wheels thanks to his iBot wheelchair was the first quadriplegic to win a seat in the U.S. Congress – Rep. Jim Langevin. As a man who’s been living with paralysis for over 40 years, he proves a SCI can’t hold you down, and that you can even hold one of the most prestigious jobs in the country.

He represented his beloved state of Rhode Island for 21 years, from 2001-2022. A lifelong democrat, Rep. Langevin was a pro-labor politician, known for its anti-abortion stance, and he was a vocal advocate for people with disabilities. He stepped down as US Representative in 2022. Read on for his story.

Why He’s Fearless

Rep. Langevin’s injury occurred when he was 16 years old. He was injured in an accidental misfire of a gun while volunteering at the Warwick Police Station as a Boy Scout. In an instant, his future plans of becoming a police officer were shattered. He had become a C5-6 quadriplegic. 

But Rep. Langevin persevered thanks to his supportive family and community. He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Rhode Island College, and his Master’s from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. But it wasn’t his college degrees that got him interested in politics. It was the way the Warwick community came out to support of him and his family, even helping raise $40,000 to help his family renovate their house. This experience made him want to become a public servant.

But Rep. Langevin’s political career didn’t begin at the top level. It began in 1986 when he was elected to Rhode Island’s Constitutional Convention as their Secretary. And in 1988, at 24 years old, he was elected a member of the Rhode Island General Assembly. He served this position until 1994. Afterwards, he was elected Secretary of State of Rhode Island until 2001.

And in 2001, he was elected to be the US Representative of Rhode Island of the US Congress. A seat he held for 21 years. As a member of Congress, we was a fervent supporter of stem cell research, universal healthcare, disability rights, cybersecurity and gun control. He co-sponsored the 2007 Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act and helped found the House Cybersecurity Caucus (which aims to keep the internet secure) and in 2010, he was the first quadriplegic member of Congress to preside over the House of Representatives.

What’s Next?

Rep. Langevin was fierce in his role as Representative of Rhode Island, and even got into a tat-for-tat with Ted Nugent on the gun control in 2013. And at a State of the Union address, he once urged several Democratic lawmakers to forego their usual guests and bring a family member of someone who was lost to gun violence instead (and many did). Langevin’s guest was Jim Tyrell, whose sister was murdered in a convenience store robbery. This move caught the ire of many gun conservatives, but Rep. Langevin couldn’t have cared less.

In his personal life, it’s all about family for Rep. Langevin, as he has several siblings and lots of nieces. He travels often with family whenever he can and he’s a huge fan of playing pool. And don’t count out Rep. Langevin in the world of politics. He said he may run again in some capacity. No matter what he ends up doing, we hope he continues to fight for disability rights. He has been one of our fiercest champions.  

— Follow Rep. Langevin on Instagram