While many may let a life-changing injury hold them back from living their dreams, Rhiannon Tracey has used it as further motivation to create a life she loves, helping and inspiring thousands along the way.
In 2009, a spinal cord injury changed Rhiannon’s world instantly. After a diving accident in Bali at the age of 20, Rhiannon was diagnosed as a C-5 quadriplegic and told she would never walk again.
But she’s not one to take “no” for an answer. Rhiannon Tracey has since founded The Next Step, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing the best recovery, and rehabilitation options in Australia. They work to help those living with SCI (spinal cord injuries) and other neurological disorders to achieve their goals and educate them on what’s possible.
Already doing more in her 31 years than many hope to achieve in a lifetime, Rhiannon Tracey gives her audience a wide range of education around inclusion, access, and disability etiquette. As she was an able-bodied person for 21 years of her life, she has lived on both sides, understanding the perspective of those with and without disability. She will change your perspective on life, like she has with countless others.
Talking Points
Overcoming Adversity
After sustaining a spinal cord injury and becoming a quadriplegic, Rhiannon shares her journey of adaption to a new normal, while being forced to accept her impairments.
Overcoming Adversity
Give up, or give it all you’ve got
Rhiannon’s ability to turn a negative situation into a positive outcome saw her creating Australia’s first NFP Spinal Cord Injury Recovery Centre as her new life began to serve a purpose, one that would create hope and be forced to break down barriers within the disability community.
Give up, or give it all you’ve got
Taking (BACK) control
While sharing her journey with holistic medicine, Rhiannon educates her audience in the understanding of why it is important to not let your mind, or the views of anyone else control your body.
Taking (BACK) control
Resilience is POWER
Rhiannon believes that there is no challenge we have faced in our lives that hasn’t made us a stronger version of ourselves, therefore she shares her public marriage breakdown experience and the emotional trauma that saw her ALMOST lose her strength.
Resilience is POWER
From CEO to Runway Model
When life throw you wheels, you pump up those tires and move forward!From CEO to Runway Model
Rhiannon’s tenacious personality as well as her smile is contagious, therefor it was only a matter of time before it got noticed by some of the world’s leading brands such as Levi’s who collaborated with her in re-marketing their brand with a focus on disability inclusion.
This is all Temporary
Rhiannon reminds her audience that every situation is temporary, including the life we are living which is why it is vital to have dreams, or we are simply giving up on ourselves.This is all Temporary
She shares 5 insightful tips (take-aways) that she has implemented into her life to ensure she lives the best one possible.
How to be an Ally to the Disability Community
Rhiannon provides her audience with educational tips and knowledge around Disability Diversity, Access & Inclusion with a focus on how to create a more inclusive world together.
How to be an Ally to the Disability Community
Video
Rhiannon Tracey - My Wheel Life
“THAT’S JUST HOW I ROLL!” The word inspirational is so frequently overused, it’s almost lost its meaning. However, when it comes to describing Rhiannon Tracey and her incredible life, it really is an understatement. Already doing more in her 31 years than many hope to achieve in a lifetime, Rhiannon is a motivational speaker, wellness advocate, model and lifestyle influencer with a beautiful point of difference. While many may let a life-changing injury hold them back from living their dreams, Rhiannon has used it as further motivation to create a life she loves, helping and inspiring thousands along the way. After a pool accident made her a quadriplegic just before her 21st Birthday, Rhiannon’s big plans for the future were suddenly put on hold. Understandably, she initially struggled to come to terms with her diagnosis of never walking again, but Rhiannon’s tenacious drive and determination saw her set out to prove the doctors wrong.ListenABLE EP62 - Rhiannon Tracey (Incomplete Quadriplegic after accident in Bali)
When someone says they were injured in Bali you immediately think... scooter! For Rhiannon Tracey that's not the case but what happened to her could happen to any of us, minus the earthquake while in hospital that's just mean. We talk losing friends, gaining perspective and how her new outlook on life is changing the lives of others in similar circumstances.2022 HESTA Excellence Awards: Rhiannon Tracey
A huge thank you to our wonderful 2022 HESTA Excellence Awards MC Rhiannon Tracey. When Rhiannon was injured in a pool accident just before her 21st birthday, she became a quadriplegic. In her amazing delivery as MC, she was able to draw on her own experience, which has a strong connection to the work done by the organisations and teams celebrated at this year’s event.Rhiannon really shows that true grit and real Aussie spirit of never giving up! ... keep reading Health Ability
Rhiannon’s spirited, warm and honest account has left its mark on us. For her fortitude and preparedness to continue making a difference was strikingly uplifting. Mount St. Joseph Girls’ College VCAL students embraced Rhiannon’s real life example of converting a somewhat negative, life changing experience into something positive.
With such charisma Rhiannon tells her story with so much passion that it’s impossible to not have a connection with her.
