When Rebecca Koltun learned about the ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ initiative, it felt like the ideal opportunity to deepen her involvement with the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
The ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ initiative strives to ensure the great outdoors and water environments are equally accessible and inclusive for all people – including those living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers.
“I love being outside. I grew up spending summers hiking or at the beach and skiing in the winter,” says Koltun, who also played soccer and basketball. “Through this new initiative, I am excited to build a stronger relationship with the Reeve Foundation. It is a great opportunity to meet more people and see what else I can do.”
In March 2021, Koltun sustained a C1-C2 incomplete spinal cord injury during a ski trip to Vermont with friends. At the time of the accident, the Long Island, NY, native was a senior at Binghamton University studying chemistry and Spanish and interviewing for medical school.
“I spent nine months in the hospital. I call it my gestation period,” says Koltun, now 24 years old. She lost the ability to move or feel below her neck, and she can’t breathe on her own. While in the hospital, Koltun started painting and creating TikToks about her experience. Now, she has nearly 101,000 followers on the platform and another 78,000 on Instagram.
“I hope to use my social media presence to inspire others to get outside,” says Koltun. “I want to show people how accessible many places are and share how much I can do.”
This summer through the ‘Outdoors for Everyone’ initiative, the Foundation is focused on water accessibility, building on its initial efforts in trails and parks, the Foundation aims to connect communities with existing water accessibility programs nationwide. Additionally, it remains dedicated to educating organizations that share its commitment to enhancing quality of life and increasing outdoor accessibility.