Rebecca Koltun is a 26-year-old quadriplegic who was injured in a tragic ski accident on March 13, 2021.
She was paralyzed from the neck down and initially unable to breathe on her own. Since then, Rebecca has faced unimaginable physical, emotional, and financial challenges.
Despite the many obstacles she faces, Rebecca continues to fight with incredible strength and resilience. She has turned her pain into purpose, sharing her story with medical, occupational therapy, and physical therapy students to give real insight into spinal cord injuries. She also speaks at corporations, living communities and more to share the importance of resilience and positivity. She has also built a powerful social media community of over 500,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, where she shares videos that are raw, real, educational, and filled with her dark humor.
Rebecca is a remarkable young woman who inspires others every single day.
“I paint where I would like to be.”
Before — life before the injury, photo 1 of 3: Rebecca skiing in a purple coat, arms raised on a snowy mountain — before her injury.
After — life after the injury, photo 1 of 5: Rebecca in her wheelchair at sunset on a Long Island beach.
She began painting with her mouth in the hospital as a form of rehabilitation. It became something else entirely — a way to express, escape, and spread positivity. She especially loves painting landscapes.
See the artwork
