Amanda A. Parezo-Lyons
“Amanda Parezo knew as soon as the stray bullet struck her spine her life would never be the same…”
An occupational therapist in Philadelphia, Amanda worked with clients including gun violence survivors living with traumatic brain injuries. In May 2021, she became a survivor herself.
“I worked in ICUs…I knew exactly what was happening to me.”
Amanda spent two months engaging in intensive therapy, adjusting to life with paralysis. She learned to navigate the inaccessible quirks of her home city, from cobblestone streets to unreliable public transportation.
Now 38 years old, she has made education and gun violence advocacy a central part of her life. She continues to teach occupational therapy and spread awareness both at work and at home about the true emotional, physical, and mental impact of life with paralysis.
“I want to show people exactly what it looks like to live in a wheelchair and what it feels like to have a spinal injury,”
Amanda is fundraising with Help Hope Live to secure a key piece of equipment: a ReWalk exoskeleton.
As she explains, a ReWalk represents more than walking, reducing potential medical complications from being seated in a wheelchair fulltime and allowing her access to greater exercise and athletic possibilities.
“Therapy walking is the medicine needed for a longer life and to be the healthiest me!”
Written by Emily Progin
