In the last couple of years, one has witnessed a large number of people contributing to the discussions happening around disability. From differently-abled individuals sharing their stories to doctors and motivational speakers talking about the different ways in which one can move ahead in life, one has seen a lot of positive discussions and conversations taking place in this space.
Mobility influencers have played an important part in intensifying the conversations around disabilities and people who suffer from them. When an individual, suffering from a physical disability, becomes an influencer and spreads happiness and cheer, it brings a shift in the mindset of people as well. Apart from inspiring differently-abled individuals to achieve their dreams and do everything they wish to do, they also guide society on the different things they can do to support or motivate them.
From Jillian Mercado, a model, and actress who suffers from muscular dystrophy, to Jessica Long, a Paralympic gold-medal-winning swimmer, many mobility influencers have inspired people from their community to dream big and achieve all that their heart desires. While differently-abled individuals have been inspired by their life journeys, they have also learned several things about how they can add more value to their lives.
Most of the mobility influencers have built a strong following for them on social media based on all the wonderful work they have done and the things they have achieved over some time. Their journey has not only been an inspiration for people who suffer from some kind of disability but also for those who are going through some difficulties in life and trying to find a way out of the darkness.
In today’s times, when one often talks about social media turning into a very negative and hate-filled space, mobility influencers are contributing towards keeping it positive and healthy. While some of the mobility influencers are full-time influencers, some have day jobs and create content for social media in their spare time.
The impact of mobility influencers has been well documented by the media and their work has been acknowledged by reputed organizations as well. Many of these influencers have even collaborated with institutions to offer better healthcare and treatment facilities to differently-abled individuals.
Here are some of how mobility influencers are inspiring their followers:
Putting Up Inspirational Posts
There could be times when a person suffering from some kind of disability feels low or depressed and needs somebody to motivate or inspire them. A lot of mobility influencers share inspirational posts all the time. If a differently abled person sees an inspirational or motivational post, they might start feeling better immediately and get the energy to deal with the day ahead of them.
While many influencers share random inspirational posts, the posts shared by mobility influencers carry a lot of weight as they share a part of their journey. Sometimes, these influencers share pictures or videos related to their past and give a glimpse of how they moved ahead in life despite facing obstacles. Such posts greatly influence individuals suffering from disabilities and give them the hope to keep moving forward.
Promoting Fitness
When an individual suffers from some kind of physical disability, they feel they would not be able to engage in any form of exercise or workout process. However, that is not true at all. Several mobility influencers have proved that you can stay fit and healthy even if any of your organs are not operating properly.
Many mobility influencers on Instagram and other social media platforms also happen to be fitness icons. Some individuals lost their legs or hands in an accident but have still managed to build a very good physique with sheer determination and hard work. When differently-abled people see these influencers, they feel motivated and work towards correctly improving their fitness levels.
Building a Community
Many mobility influencers have consciously worked towards building a strong community for differently abled people. A lot of them have also created support groups and platforms where people from the community can talk about their issues and share their thoughts on different things affecting their lives.
Mobility influencers conduct live sessions and interact with their followers frequently. By doing this, they build a strong connection with their followers and also encourage them in different ways. Mobility influencers have helped differently-abled people from different parts of the world meet, interact, and learn from each other.
Delivering Motivational Speeches
Imagine a scenario in which a student fails in a particular subject and another student, who has never failed in any subject, tries to offer them words of comfort. It might not have a very strong impact as the student, who has failed in a subject, might feel that the other student does not understand what they are going through. They might connect better to a student who has been in a similar situation in the past and is now trying to comfort them.
On several online platforms, you will come across countless videos featuring motivational speakers. A differently-abled person would be able to connect better with the words of a motivational speaker who also deals with some kind of physical disability. Many mobility influencers drop speeches on their platforms and inspire their followers through the same.
Offering Guidance
When a person realizes they will have to deal with a disability for the rest of their lives, they have to accept it. Of course, it is easier said than done. Mobility influencers could help a lot in this regard. Many mobility influencers specialize in posting content that educates and guides differently-abled people on how they can lead their lives comfortably without facing any difficulty.
Many mobility influencers also guide differently-abled people with exercises they could do to improve their mobility. They also recommend the names of doctors or medical experts they can reach out to for consultation purposes. Some of these influencers also conduct live sessions with experts and ask them questions on behalf of their followers. They also, at times, respond to the queries of their followers directly.