Brianna Paauwe is based in Lake Norman, North Carolina, but her work takes her far beyond one place. In 2011, Brianna sustained a spinal cord injury that permanently changed her life. Like many after injury, she was faced with redefining what independence, purpose, and possibility would look like moving forward. What followed was not an ending, but the start of a new chapter shaped by growth, resilience, and self-discovery.
Over the last 14+ years, Brianna has rebuilt her independence piece by piece, learning how to navigate life, travel, and work on her own terms. Today, she works full-time as a traveling professional with AMF Bruns America, educating others on wheelchair-securement safety, and also serves as the Executive Director of the Wheel With Me Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting wheelchair users through education, community, and empowerment. Her journey has shown her firsthand how access, confidence, and the right tools can open doors that once felt closed.
Brianna is passionate about growth, giving back, and helping others see what’s possible. What began as volunteering within the music and festival community evolved into pursuing education and leadership roles that allow her to advocate for and uplift others like her. Through speaking, content creation, and nonprofit work, she shares her lived experience to help others build independence and confidence in their own lives.
“Growth happens when you choose to keep pushing forward.” — Brianna Paauwe
