Ms. Monica Wiley was diagnosed with an incomplete spinal cord injury caused by a drunk semi-truck driver that caused her family to plunge over a 150 ft bridge. Her entire family died, and she was the remaining survivor of the tragedy. Ms. Wiley was nine years old. Ms. Wiley was told that she would be paraplegic for the rest of her life. However, she beat the odds of the diagnosis and was able to begin rehabilitation to walk again. She currently walks with a cane. She is classified at Children Hospital of Richmond, Virginia as the Miracle Child.
Ms. Monica Wiley continues to prove what is possible for truck crash survivors and those diagnosed with spinal cord injuries. She has worked for some notable leaders ranging from state government to federal organizations on protecting and advancing the rights of people with disabilities and other underrepresented communities. Ms. Wiley served as Field Organizer with President Obama’s grassroots organization-Organizing for America in the Greater Richmond Area. She was the only organizer with a disability. Ms. Wiley was selected as the Virginia liaison on disability to the White House Disability Group under the Obama-Biden administration. Ms. Wiley was appointed by former Governor McAuliffe of Virginia as a Disability Advisor on Community Integration to the administration. She is the co-founder of the Disability Issues Caucus Constituency Organization for the Democratic Party of Virginia. In 2017, Ms. Wiley was asked to serve on the National Disability Council under the leadership of former Congressman Tony Coelho, author of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). She was the only African American woman elected as an officer to the council.
Simply put, Ms. Monica Wiley is an inspiration to ALL and we are grateful to have her part of the Truck Safety Coalition family.