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Chelsie Hill, founder of the Rollettes, one of the world’s most famous wheelchair dance teams, is more than just a dancer. Wife, mentor and friend to thousands of female wheelchair-users thanks to her foundation, Chelsie has become an icon in the spinal cord injury community. Read on for her story.
Why She’s Fearless
Chelsie was injured in a car accident when she was a senior in high school. It was 2010, and Chelsie persevered. She was back in class in 3 months. She also began speaking at schools to share her injury, hoping to prevent future accidents like hers. Chelsie was a passenger in a drunk driving accident.
She soon founded the Walk and Roll Foundation with her dad for her speaking. And after attending a black tie fundraising gala for Life Rolls On, she met Auti Angel, founder of Colours ‘n Motion, a wheelchair hip-hop dance team. Chelsie a lifelong dancer, was thrilled to meet Auti. Chelsie auditioned for the dance team and made it.
After joining the team, Chelsie met Auti’s friends: Angela Rockwood, Tiphany Adams, and Mia Schaikewitz, all the women who were on the Sundance reality show, Push Girls. Chelsie made several appearances on the show, helping make a name for herself in the wheelchair dance world.
Chelsie founded her first dance team, Team Hotwheelz, in 2012, but soon renamed the team, The Rollettes, and they rest as they is history. A great name for an even greater group, the team does much more than perform. They host an annual gathering for girls and women who use wheelchairs each Summer in California, the Rollettes Experience, a 4-day weekend of mentoring and dance that has transformed lives.
What’s Next
Chelsie continues to be a popular speaker in addition to running her dance team, with impressive gigs like speaking at corporate events for Facebook or doing a TEDx speech. She speaks on a wide variety of topics, from drunk driving, turning a negative into a positive to acceptance and bullying. No matter what she speaks on, Chelsie is sure to make an impact.
And Chelsie made it official with her longtime boyfriend Jay, marrying him 2021. They met while working at the Abilities Expo and currently reside in Southern California with their fur-babies, continuing to inspire the world with their love.
— Official site of Chelsie Hill
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