Molly
“Don’t worry about fitting in. You were born to stand out, so be yourself and don’t worry about what others think!”
Molly’s resilience and positive mentality came from the adversities she faced at a young age. As a C5-C6 spinal cord injury survivor, she was told at 13 that she would never walk again. With grit and determination, as well as hours of physical and occupational therapy, she was able to prove doctors wrong; this sparked a fire within her to continue to expand her treatment regimens, as well as to help others experiencing similar challenges. She chose two avenues to do so — a career in Speech-Language Pathology, and by platforming her experiences on Instagram, utilizing this route to provide helpful fashion tips to others who have undergone spinal cord injuries or have physical disabilities. On this account, she highlights different approaches to adaptive fashion using life hacks, gift guides, and product recommendations. Through her efforts, she is helping to voice the importance of accessibility and adaptability in the fashion world. Meet Molly. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
M: Hi! I'm Molly Farrell, a C5- C6 spinal cord injury survivor and speech- language pathologist. I am also an adaptive fashion blogger on Instagram where I share different adaptive fashion finds and life hacks for people living with disabilities.
K: Describe yourself in your own words
M: I am a hardworking woman who has a passion for helping others!
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
M: My favorite thing about myself is my determination. If anyone tells me I can't do something, I have to prove them wrong!
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that has defined you or made you stronger?
M: Growing up, I loved sports. I participated in any and every sport I could- soccer, basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, dance, swimming. However, on June 28th, 2002, I suffered a spinal cord injury during a swimming accident, which left me paralyzed from my neck down. At only 13 years old, the doctors told my family that I had less than a 1% chance of ever walking again. However, after hours and hours of physical therapy and occupational therapy, today, I am walking!
After my accident, I knew I wanted to do something with my life to help others. I truly believe that everything happens for a reason and I know that my accident didn’t happen by chance, but happened for a bigger purpose. Through my recovery journey, I have spent several hours participating in different types of physical and occupational therapies. I have traveled all over the country to different facilities to try new therapies. Over time, I realized the impact that all of my therapists have had on my life and I realized that I wanted to help others like each of them helped me. So, I began my journey as a Communicative Sciences and Disorders major.
During my first class, the professor read a quote to us that immediately struck me and has stayed with me all of these years later. She read, “To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.” Right then and there, I knew I was in the right place. I continued on with my studies, and applied for graduate programs. After I finished grad school, I applied for a job as a Speech- Language Pathologist in an elementary school and have been working there for the past seven years!
I am a speech-language pathologist in an elementary school during the day and at night; I am either working out at the gym, participating in physical therapy and/or working on my passion project – an adaptive fashion Instagram account that I started a few years ago - @all.fashion.able. It is something I have always wanted to do and I have really enjoyed being able to share my story and resources with others who are living with spinal cord injuries or similar disabilities.
K: What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
M: Don't worry about fitting in. You were born to stand out, so be yourself and don't worry about what others think! Live your life how you want to!
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
M: Being a woman means being strong, powerful and fierce! I believe women can do anything they want!
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to them if they were here now?
M: My mom…since my accident, my mom has been by my side through everything. She has given up so much of her life to help me get to where I am today. My mom pushes me every day to do my best and she has never given up hope. She truly inspires me to live each day to the fullest and to never stop believing in myself.