Amanda Parezo’s life changed dramatically five years ago after a random shooting in Philadelphia left her paralyzed from the waist down. Despite the sudden and lasting impact of her injury, Parezo, a former occupational therapist and self-described “beach bum,” has found new ways to engage with the world, embracing adaptive sports, advocacy, and education.
The shooting occurred in 2021 in the Olde Kensington neighborhood shortly after Parezo had finished playing kickball with friends at Hancock Playground. As gunfire erupted nearby, she felt a sharp pain on the right side of her torso and quickly realized she had sustained a serious spinal cord injury. She was rushed to Temple University Hospital, where doctors confirmed a complete spinal cord injury, rendering her paralyzed from the waist down.
In the years since, Parezo has faced numerous challenges adjusting to life in a wheelchair—navigating everyday activities like showering, using public facilities, and traveling independently. An assistant professor of occupational therapy at Jefferson Health, she shifted from treating patients to being a patient herself, confronting the emotional and physical hurdles of her new reality. “It was a lot of just mourning who I was before,” she said.
Finding solace and motivation in adaptive activities, Parezo has embraced adaptive surfing through the “They Will Surf Again” event held annually by the nonprofit Life Rolls On. The event, hosted this August in Wildwood, New Jersey and sponsored by Jefferson Health, offers people with physical disabilities the chance to surf using specially designed boards that provide extra stability. After initially participating in 2022, Parezo returned this year, describing the experience as freeing and therapeutic, particularly given her ongoing nerve pain. “You can’t even describe it. It just felt so good,” she reflected.
Beyond sports, Parezo has become a vocal advocate for accessibility issues in Philadelphia. She frequently reports broken infrastructure and inadequate accommodations, including a widely shared incident in 2024 when she was stranded in a subway station after an elevator outage. Her social media post highlighting the lack of accessible transit options garnered attention from SEPTA officials, who pledged ongoing improvements to the system’s accessibility.
Parezo’s advocacy extends to public speaking and community involvement. She participated in the Ms. Wheelchair USA pageant representing Pennsylvania in July, earning first runner-up honors and awards for education and inspiration. She also serves on the Pennsylvania Governor’s Advisory Commission for Women and integrates her lived experience into her teaching at Jefferson, providing students with unique insight into patient perspectives.
Life Rolls On founder Jesse Billauer, who was paralyzed in a surfing accident decades ago, created “They Will Surf Again” to offer people with disabilities the same sense of freedom he found on the water. The event attracts hundreds of participants, including children with spinal cord injuries, whom Parezo hopes to inspire. “There are no limits to what we’re able to do,” she said, underscoring her commitment to breaking down barriers and redefining possibilities for people with disabilities.