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Using dark humor and a large TikTok following to educate on life with a disability: Rebecca Koltun

A decorative newsprint graphic.

Rebecca Koltun

Rebecca Koltun mouth painting via Newsday December 2025.

“If I’m going to go through all this pain and suffering, it may as well make an impact on people. Something should come of it.”

Living with paralysis from the neck down since a 2021 accident, our client Ambassador Rebecca Koltun is skilled at converting pain to meaning, humor, and art.

The 26-year-old travels, shares her life with quadriplegia to millions on TikTok, learns Spanish, paints landscapes, sells on Etsy, reads, and works part-time in marketing and graphic design.

“I like being busy, and don’t like having too much free time. Having a purpose is so much better for the mind.”

Rebecca Koltun outside in the fall in her power chair via Newsday December 2025.

Fundraising is essential as Rebecca and her family continue to face hundreds of thousands in out-of-pocket costs associated with her injury.

“It’s a massive burden. We have to pay for nursing care, medical expenses, equipment repairs…We have to do fundraising year-round to pay for my expenses.”

Rebecca Koltun filming a social meda video with a ringlight via Newsday December 2025.

Rebecca’s family posts in-depth updates on her Campaign Page with Help Hope Live to keep her supportive community informed about how their help impacts her life. Most recently, they shared that Rebecca took over 1,000 steps in 2 hours in an exoskeleton.

The annual 5K event for Help Hope Live in Rebecca’s honor and fundraising throughout the year will help offset urgent costs including 24/7 nursing care, elevator repairs for home accessibility, and wheelchair van maintenance.

Written by Emily Progin