In this relaunch episode of Pathways to Healing, host Hal Hargrave sits down with Annie Streit, Grassroots Advocacy Manager for United Spinal Association, for a powerful conversation about life after spinal cord injury, finding purpose through adversity, and turning lived experience into meaningful change.

Annie shares her journey from sustaining a C5 spinal cord injury in 2005 to becoming an educator, author, speaker, and national disability advocate—and why she believes everyone has the ability to advocate for themselves and others.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Annie's spinal cord injury and the process of rebuilding her life
• Finding purpose, identity, and opportunity after injury
• Why your lived experience is one of your greatest advocacy tools
• What grassroots advocacy actually looks like—and how anyone can participate
• The caregiver crisis and importance of community-based support
• Accessibility challenges in transportation and air travel
• Gaps between healthcare, rehabilitation, fitness, and lifelong wellness
• Why representation of people with disabilities matters in decision-making
• How individuals and organizations can work together to create lasting change

You don't have to know everything to make a difference. Sometimes advocacy simply begins with being willing to use your voice.