Disabled Women Make History: Chrysanthemum Gates
“Disability rights are human rights. Simple as that! We need to fight for disability rights so that we may move away from cruel conditions and empower disabled people to do what THEY want to do, not what others say or dictate.”
As a social media consultant, TikTok creator, and Brand Ambassador for power wheelchair manufacturer Quantum Rehab, Chrysanthemum Gates centers creativity and boldness in everything that she pursues. Hailing from Maine, the 23-year-old advocate strives to create empowering representations that will bridge gaps in understanding between disabled and non-disabled communities. Her impressive list of accomplishments includes a robust TikTok page (@chrysmuu), which has gained nearly half a million followers. Chrysanthemum creates original videos that showcase the joys and struggles of living with paraparesis, neuropathy, and Tourette Syndrome. Her social media presence expands beyond TikTok, as Chrysanthemum develops advocacy and awareness content for Quantum Rehab. Professionally, Chrysanthemum embraces opportunities to show the world that power wheelchair users lead fulfilling lives.
“It's great to have a mobility company with a focus on end users. I personally would not want to be riding around in a wheelchair manufactured by a company who does not show end users past basic advertisements. With what we do online, we not only show non-disabled people that our lives are worth living, but we also share our lives with people who use power wheelchairs and other mobility aids.”
Chrysanthemum has watched the online Disability Community steadily expand since she began creating content in 2019. Because of the Internet’s widespread accessibility, disabled creators of all backgrounds have found platforms to raise their voice and share their unique experiences. Chrysanthemum hopes that this digital movement will redefine what advocacy looks like and invite people to engage in more inclusive conversations about disability rights. “I want people to know that it is okay to not be comfortable with being a leader in the community. The mindset should not be ‘You don't do as much as [another person] does with their platform.’ It's okay to support from whatever angle that you can, quietly or loudly.”
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Chrysanthemum has harnessed the power of social media to create lasting change. On the International Day of Persons with Disabilities in 2021, she launched a campaign to address the lack of physical accessibility in Hot Topic stores nationwide. After organizing a petition and initiating conversations with floor employees and upper management, Chrysanthemum saw Hot Topic significantly improve their stores’ accessibility. Meanwhile, she also engaged in a community-wide effort that led the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to cover seat elevation technology for power wheelchair users. Chrysanthemum celebrates these accomplishments and recognizes the importance of mentorship throughout her journey.
“I have disabled women who I look up to, and they showed me the attitude of, ‘I am this way, and I will be the way that I am, unapologetically.’ It took me a long time to come into my proud disabled identity. I would try to hide it and pretend that it didn't exist. Had I had any mentors with disabilities, I would have fared better. I talk extensively about Tourette Syndrome online because I hope that a young girl in a similar situation will know that she is not alone.”
When she isn’t spearheading advocacy movements, Chrysanthemum can be found singing, playing multiple instruments, growing her herb garden, and sewing international award-winning cosplay costumes for anime conventions. She enjoys the knowledge and enrichment that her hobbies provide. In the future, she hopes to join a movement to update the Americans with Disabilities Act so that accessibility requirements can be better enforced in historic buildings. Chrysanthemum encourages young leaders in the Disability Community to claim their spaces and embrace the power of their voice.
“I would say to disabled girls and women: NEVER let your voice be silenced. Don’t let anyone tell you that what you are talking about is worthless, because it is important to you.”
About the Authors:
Alma Silver is a freelance writer and disability advocate based in the Twin Cities area. She is also the Blog Editor for Disability EmpowHer Network. In her free time, Alma can be found journaling at a coffee shop or scoping out her next international adventure.
Stephanie Woodward is an attorney and Executive Director of Disability EmpowHer Network, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering girls and women with disabilities. Stephanie is passionate about seeking justice for marginalized communities - and has an arrest record to show for it. As a proud disabled woman and civil rights activist, Stephanie is committed to bringing more women and girls with disabilities to the forefront through mentoring and activism.