Influential_list

“I was naturally flattered when I saw myself included, as there are some incredible people who I’ve long admired on that list, such as Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Ade Adepitan and Nick Vujicic.”

Founder of International Wheelchair Day and Embryonyx brand manager Steve Wilkinson, has been named as one of the world’s most influential wheelchair users.

American entrepreneur, Roland Reznik, founder and CEO of Smart Chair, a KD Healthcare company, listed inspirational and influential people who use a wheelchair from around the world to follow on social media. The trait they all have in common is they aim to educate, encourage and inspire disabled people, their families and the wider public on learning about people who have disabilities and the way they overcome their own obstacles in life as they encourage and motivate others to live a fulfilled life regardless of limitations.

Top of the list, unsurprisingly, is Professor Stephen Hawking, but in third place is Steve Wilkinson. Affectionately known as “WheelchairSteve”, Steve has spent a lifetime seeking to educate, inspire and fight to make life better for disabled people and to help others appreciate the daily challenges faced.

Speaking of making a place on the list, Steve says; “I was naturally flattered when I saw myself included, as there are some incredible people who I’ve long admired on that list, such as Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Ade Adepitan and Nick Vujicic. I guess my inclusion may have something to do with my work in creating International Wheelchair Day.”

Celebrated on the 1st of March, International Wheelchair Day is an annual day of events and activities which take place around the World when wheelchair users celebrate the freedom and positive impact a wheelchair has on their lives.

Since it was first launched in 2008 the annual celebration has grown in popularity year on year and events now take place all over the World including in Australia, Nepal, Senegal, South Africa, the UK and the USA.

Steve first learned about the accolade while acting in his capacity as Sales and Brand Ambassador for Embryonyx Ltd at the recent Mobility Roadshow exhibition.

Angus Long, Embryonyx MD, explains more: “I first met Steve Wilkinson at a disability event in Newcastle a couple of years ago where he was intrigued by the Happylegs Walking Machine. Due to his Spina Bifida, Steve can’t walk and was amazed at how such a simple and inexpensive device can now provide him the beneficial exercise he was denied for so many years. Steve’s enthusiasm for the product is infectious, so I offered him a job as Brand Ambassador. Since my company specialises in identifying, developing and bringing to market innovative, simple, yet very effective healthcare solutions to help disabled and elderly people live more comfortably at home, who better to have as sales and brand manager than someone who is a wheelchair user themselves?”

Embryonyx Ltd can be contacted on 0845-3008823. The website is at HERE

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