Not your average woman!

There are very few moments that can happen in one’s life that can change everything forever. In a split second your relationships change, your job, your finances, your home, your clothes, your independence. One moment gone terribly wrong and it's all different. On May 23, 2010, Rachelle Friedman was playfully pushed into a pool by her best friend at her bachelorette party just weeks before her wedding.  She hit the bottom of the pool head first, breaking her neck and causing a severe spinal cord injury.  Rachelle had to face a difficult fact.  She was now paralyzed from the chest down and would be a quadriplegic for the rest of her life. 

Rachelle could have easily given up on life, constantly asked why her and wondered what if?  But she made the decision to move forward in her life with positivity and determination.  13 weeks after her injury she began playing adapted sports such as wheelchair rugby, hand cycling and even surfing. Within a year she had appeared on The Today Show, Headline News, MSNBC, Inside Edition and numerous news outlets both nationally and internationally to share her story of love, commitment, loyalty, and perseverance. She has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine, In Touch magazine and as a guest on Vh1's Couples Therapy. 

Rachelle has made it her mission to spread her story in hope of inspiring others to make the most of each day they are given.  “Why waste your time harping on insignificant things?” Rachelle asks.  “Believe in defining your life by the positive moments and not the negative.”

Rachelle has turned her tragedy into triumph and is determined to teach people how to take control of their own lives. 

Speaking engagements

                                    
Adapted sports day ECU keynote                                                     
East Carolina University Recreation and leisure studies Classes                                                                                     
Run Walk Roll keynote for PITT memorial hospital rehab            
Speaking at Women’s Health Conference speaker                                    
Southern Nash Middle School                                                                                                         
1800-Registry company speaker                                                      
Night by the Ocean Fundraiser for Life Rolls On guest speaker                                                               
Baptist church women's group speaker                                           
NC State University speaker                                                            
HART (health affairs round table) keynote                                    
ECU staff development                                                         
ECU student development                                                                                                                                       
Speaker for continuing Education Courses for caregivers.                                                                       
ECU leadership odyssey group keynote                                          
Town of Greenville, NC guest speaker