Meet SPINALpedia Volunteer Coordinator Danika Whitsett

SPINALpedia has a long history of collaborating with volunteers to help make our initiatives a reality. To that end, Danika Whitsett has joined our team as our official Volunteer Coordinator. She is a paraplegic and a member of the wheelchair dance team, Rollettes.

Danika is helping spread the word on the adaptive driving app, Fuelservice, and how it massively improves how people with disabilities who drive their own vehicles get their gas. Instead of calling into the gas station for assistance, this app makes it possible for wheelchair-users to request help directly through the app (with no need of calling in or getting out of their vehicle to ask for gasoline assistance).

Read on to learn more about Danika, our new Volunteer Coordinator.

1. Name?

My name is Danika Whitsett

2. What is your level of injury and how were you injured?

My level of injury is T12, L1.

3. Did you enjoy driving pre-injury and what did you drive?

Post Injury I was a little scared to drive again but I also craved that independence, so I wanted to drive as much as I could! I really was just so excited to get back on the road as soon as possible.

4. Post-injury, were you intimidated to drive again and how did you get past that?

Post-injury I was a little scared to drive again but I also craved that independence, so I wanted to drive as much as I could! I really was just so excited to get back on the road as soon as possible.

5. What do you drive now and why did you choose this vehicle?

I drive a Honda CRV now and honestly I chose the vehicle because it was a cheaper option, very safe, had good mileage, and it was cute.

6. Before Fuelservice, how did you typically get gas independently as someone with your injury? Can you pump gas? How do you ask for help?

Before fuel service, I would pump my own gas occasionally. In the beginning of my injury, I’d have my partner go fill it up until I found out if you called the gas stations and they’ll come out and help you sometimes. But sometimes not, so I used to drive around and wait till a gas station said yes and have them pump it. Then I got tired of doing that and going to so many so I started doing so myself. Or my boyfriend fills it because he uses the car more often I feel.

7. What do you think of the Fuelservice app and why do you prefer it over giving your own gas?

I love the Fuelservice app!!! I prefer it just because I think it’s SO convenient for our community and it honestly saves me so much time and effort. I don’t have to get my chair out and so it honestly saves me a lot of time!

8. How do you use the app to get gas? Is it easy to use?

It’s pretty easy to use the Fuelservice app but basically you just have to first download it from the app store, and once it opens you just press Allow my current location and it’ll show you or bring up gas stations in the area that work with Fuel Service! You then click on one that is closest to you and press the button that asks them if they’re able to help at the moment pumping gas for you. They’ll respond if they can come and help you within the next 30 minutes so that way you have time to get over there. It also works if you’re already at the gas station that you see on the app and press to see if they’re available and your location will let them know that you’re there. There is also an, “I’m here” button!

9. What tips do you have for using Fuelservice in general?

I feel like my tip with using Fuelservice would be to check which location can help you before you head over to one, because if someone is unavailable to help you don’t want to drive to multiple gas stations because that is a hassle and can be annoying!

10. Is there anything else you’d like to add about your role at SPINALpedia?

There are a couple things I would love to add about my role at Spinalpedia/Fuelservice. I am the Volunteer Coordinator for the social media for FuelService and Spinalpedia. I’m reaching out to others to spread the word, because the disability community deserves to be in the know about this app and we want to see if others would love to spread the word as well! It’s such a huge issue in our community where I know a lot of people who would / could benefit from this. I’m trying to get the word out more, and to find volunteers to either post to their feed or their stories about the app because it’s so so so important! I can even come up with the posts or anything if people do want to help out by posting about it! If anyone wants to help out in that way, they’re able to message me directly at @danikajolenee! Or on Facebook at: Danika Whitsett. Let’s change the lives of our community!!!

11. Why do you like helping others with SCI/disability?

I love helping others with SCI/disabilities because I remember how lost I felt when I first got injured and what finding a community was like for me. I got to take advice from them and learn from them and if I can help anyone even a little bit at all, it makes me the happiest person ever. Life with an SCI or disability is not easy and I would love to make anyone’s life easier any chance I can! This community is everything to me.