In a world of cliches, we often hear the phrase “everything happens for a reason.” Regardless of if you believe this to be true, we witness people each and every day that create their own purpose and meaning. In life, we will experience heartache, loss, trauma, and tragedy; but finding the beauty in adversity is what makes life worth living.
A little over two years ago, Felicia McDonald discovered the overwhelming strength within her. Felicia gained a renewed purpose in the midst of tragedy. On the evening of December 27, 2018, Felicia left her home to grab a last-minute ingredient for a cake she was baking. Growing up in Paducah, Felicia knew the two-mile drive to the store like it was her own name. She hopped in her father’s work vehicle and took off into the rainy winter’s evening.
No one could have predicted how her life would change on that drive. Felicia recounts the events up until the moment she glanced away from the road, then nothing. She awoke on the ceiling of the vehicle, her phone ringing, but she faded in and out. Felicia laid there for hours upon hours, freezing, until a police officer finally found her around 2:00 AM. She obtained a neck injury, broken ribs, and a devastating complete spinal cord injury. Felicia would later discover that she would have to adjust to life as a wheelchair user. However, this was not the end of her journey.
Felicia McDonald was born and raised in Paducah, Kentucky. She could not imagine a more perfect place to raise her own son, so she has made a beautiful life for herself here in her hometown. Felicia has always been spirited, active and loves challenging herself. These personality traits lead her to pursue a career in pipefitting. She worked hard through her apprenticeship and eventually landed her dream job as a pipefitter. As a third-generation pipefitter and the second female fitter in her family, Felicia was proud of her work. She stated, “it is difficult to find a job you are passionate about, but that is what I had.” Felicia loved the challenge of working in a male-dominated industry and enjoyed knowing she could do something not many other women could. The men she worked with were unbelievably welcoming; she loved the jokes and the carefree environment.
Although she misses the life she had prior to her accident, Felicia refuses to allow any obstacle to stand in the way of her happiness. Through every challenge, she looks to her son and the example she wants to create for him. “If I give in to those feelings if I give up, what does that say to my son? I don’t want him to ever think it is okay to give up or let life pass you by.” Felicia stated.
Her relentless drive to live life to the fullest brought Felicia to the doors of a local CrossFit gym, Dig Deep. After contacting a friend that attended the gym and speaking with the owner, she discovered the inclusivity of CrossFit and a community that welcomed her with open arms. Felicia has always had an interest in CrossFit, but prior to her accident, she never found the time to try it out. Now, she has community, family, and a new passion. Felicia’s trainer, Tori, has become a pillar of support in her life. Tori is dedicated, understanding and pushes Felicia to excel. Her trainer even has her swimming again. CrossFit has an Adaptive Athlete Division, which allowed Felicia to compete in her very first competition. Competing alongside her peers is empowering and brought Felicia a new sense of independence. CrossFit challenges her, keeps her healthy, active, and allows her to express herself. Felicia’s family and the family she gained at CrossFit Dig Deep have been incredibly supportive of her journey.
Regaining her sense of independence has been monumental for Felicia. In November of last year, Felicia’s van was converted to allow her to transport herself without the assistance of others. She is able to drive, park, unload and reload, independently. This was transformative in her life. The conversion allowed her to get a part-time job, take herself to appointments, and even go to CrossFit. With everything she has been through, this new freedom has given her a renewed sense of purpose. However, it has also opened her eyes to the flaws with accessible parking. Operating her van alone, Felicia needs to be able to extend the ramp completely. This is why accessible parking spots have large sections of lined areas between spots. These areas are used for extendable ramps and wheelchair mobility. Unfortunately, many individuals do not understand the necessity of these areas. Even individuals with disabilities that utilize accessible parking are not aware of the lines—Felicia witnesses incorrect parking on a daily basis. Many times, she is left stranded outside of her car, unable to extend her ramp. Without even realizing it, people are stealing her independence. This frustrating occurrence has transformed into a serious situation in the community. While Felicia compliments the Paducah community for being so accommodating and welcoming to individuals with disabilities, she believes education, advocacy, and implementation for accessible parking law is crucial. Felicia hopes to spread awareness to prevent this from happening, not only for herself but for others in the community. When a vehicle or motorcycle is parked incorrectly, it leaves individuals like Felicia at the mercy of others. In order to be an ally to the community members with disabilities, we must all work to ensure accessibility everywhere. This means holding ourselves accountable and reporting when we see incorrect parking.
Felicia McDonald is an inspiration to so many. Throughout her life, she has demonstrated a strength and determination that is unique to the most exceptional individuals. Her story deserves the highest recognition, but instead, Felicia just says, “everyone has a story, everyone has something they have been through.” It is not what happens to you that defines you; it is how you respond that matters. Felicia cherishes every single day and is thankful she is able to share special moments with her son. Instead of giving in to anger, frustration, or resentment, Felicia chooses to celebrate everything her body can do. She reflected on her accident, stating, “I realize how lucky I am that I did not suffer any brain injuries, I have full function of my arms, and no trach[eostomy].” Her mindset of gratitude is what makes Felicia such an incredible individual. We can all learn from her positive messages of body appreciation and self-love.
