“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.”