More likely than not, you’ve heard of the app TikTok and may even be one of the billion active monthly users. TikTok rose to fame in 2020, providing users a much needed outlet for social connection and entertainment during a time of isolation and uncertainty. The social media platform is used to make a variety of short-form videos, from genres like dance, comedy and education, that have a duration from 15 seconds to one minute.

Many people with disabilities have found success on the app and we encourage you to check out these seven wheelchair users who are changing the game on TikTok:

1. Jesstawi

#dramaticmoments

Jessica Tawil is a paraplegic from New Jersey. She started her TikTok to educate people on living with a spinal cord injury, including intimate topics like using the bathroom, autonomic dysreflexia and questions about sex. During an interview with the Daily Voice, Jessica says, “opening up about it on social media has been therapeutic, as the TikTok community has been equal parts supportive and curious.” 

2. wheelchairpapi

@wheelchairpapiShe don’t like the peppermint 🍬 ##Coming2America ##fyp ##foryoupage ##foryourpage♬ I didnt know i was famous – oopsie

Anthony Sanchez has a spinal cord injury and lives in Texas. He makes videos about dating with a disability and showcases his fitness journey. His adorable daughter, Mya, is often featured in his TikToks and together they show that parenting with a disability is possible. 

3. Spintheglobe

@spintheglobeThat one time I made a TikTok with ##JoeyFatone from ##NSYNC…😮 ##fyp ##wheelchairlife ##adaptivefashion♬ POP SUMMER INSPIRATION – MikhailovMusic

Sylvia Longmire has multiple sclerosis and is best known for her work in the accessible travel industry. She posts about her top travel tips, experiences as a voice actor and answers common questions that people have about wheelchair users. She is also a contributor for New Mobility.

4. Englishwithgeet and theofficialgeet

@englishwithgeetLearn American English Pronunciation 🔥 ##learnontiktok ##learnenglish ##speakenglish ##spokenenglish ##englishteacher ##pronunciation ##americanenglish♬ original sound – English with Geet

Sangeeta “Geet” Jain, is a paraplegic who proclaims to be India’s first actress in a wheelchair. She has two TikTok pages that reach over 10 million followers combined. One account is for teaching English lessons and on the other she gives relationship advice.

5. wheelierin

@wheelierinib @raincloud.heart hehehe ##disability ##wheelchair♬ original sound – Dalton Johnson

Erin Novakowski has spinal muscular atrophy and lives in Alberta, Canada. “I’d describe [my page] as me oversharing about being disabled — but doing it with super cute eyeliner on,” she told Allure. Erin dispels many stereotypes about living with a disability and responds to an array of comments from viewers with a sense of humor.

6. Briscalesse

@briscalessewe call her Aph for short ✨ ##internationalwheelchairday ##disabillity ##VideoSnapChallenge ##fyp ##adayinmylife♬ Up – Cardi B

Bri Scalesse is a model and disability advocate who lives in New York City. She shows a behind-the-scenes look at her modeling career, adapts many popular dance trends and exudes confidence in each TikTok she posts.

7. michaelcarthy

@michaelcarthy##stitch with @fieldmanworker What’s it gonna do, put me in a wheelchair?♬ original sound – Michael Carthy

Michael Carthy has a form of muscular dystrophy and has amassed more than 500,000 followers on TikTok. His account focuses on comedy, but his jokes are not solely about his disability. “I don’t want to use my disability as a crutch to make jokes, and I don’t want it to be the sole focus of my content. I do make the disabled jokes that are easy and obvious, but I try really hard to make jokes that don’t revolve around my disability at all,” he told Mel Magazine.

Who are your favorite wheelchair users on TikTok?

Shannon Kelly is the Social Media Manager for United Spinal Association.