At 14 years old, Isaac has already learned that making a difference often begins with showing up.

Isaac has spina bifida and is paralyzed from the T12 level, meaning he does not have the use of his legs. Throughout his life, he has learned to navigate challenges that many of his peers never have to consider. As a young child, keeping up with friends playing outside meant finding new ways to participate. He says living with a disability “is not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just different.”

Rather than letting those challenges define him, Isaac has become passionate about advocacy and representing people with disabilities. He hopes to educate others and help undo the misconceptions people often have about disability. His advice to other young people with disabilities is simple: “Find their people and just keep going.”

Isaac stays active both in school and in his community. He plays wheelchair basketball and sled hockey, enjoys science in school, and hopes to study biomedical engineering one day because he likes the idea of helping people, especially when it comes to their health.

He credits much of his success to the people around him. His parents and older brother inspire him because they are supportive and kind. At school, his friends and teachers help create an inclusive environment, making adjustments without hesitation so he can fully participate alongside everyone else. Isaac says those supports make all the difference. “It’s the difference between succeeding and not succeeding.”

Isaac was also able to participate more fully in his own home life when his Service and Support Administrator at the Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Kim Rocheleau, connected his family with funding for home modifications to give Isaac more opportunities to exercise independence.

One moment that reflects both Isaac’s determination and his appreciation for those who came before him came during his eighth-grade class trip to Washington, D.C.

The decision was entirely his own.

After learning about the Capitol Crawl in second grade, the story stayed with him. So during his eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., Isaac decided he wanted to climb the steps of the U.S. Capitol himself.

The Capitol Crawl took place on March 12, 1990, when more than 60 disability rights activists left their wheelchairs and other mobility devices and crawled up the steps of the U.S. Capitol. Organized as part of the Wheels of Justice march, the protest demonstrated the barriers people with disabilities faced every day and helped build momentum for the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act later that year.

“My intent was to honor, pay respect to the people who have come before me, put themselves in situations that were dangerous for them and very tough for the betterment of people.”

As he made his way up the Capitol steps, he wasn’t focused on the crowd around him. He was focused on the climb.

“Almost like not thinking, it was just adrenaline.”

His classmates cheered him on, but for Isaac, the moment wasn’t about recognition. It was about gratitude. He understood that without the disability rights advocates who fought for accessibility and inclusion before he was born, many of the opportunities he enjoys today might not have existed.

“I know that without them, I likely wouldn’t have been in the position where I could do that or do really anything.”

Isaac has also seen firsthand how advocacy creates change close to home. When his school playground wasn’t accessible, his family worked with the school to improve it. Roll-out mats were added to make the playground more inclusive, and eventually, accessibility improvements were made throughout the district. Those experiences reinforced Isaac’s belief that accessibility matters because it allows everyone to participate.

Looking ahead, Isaac is excited about high school and the opportunity to take engineering classes. Whatever his future holds, he hopes to continue using his voice to educate others, challenge misconceptions about disability, and promote inclusion in his community.

For Isaac, advocacy is about honoring the people who fought for the rights he benefits from today, recognizing the importance of community support, and helping create a future where every person has the opportunity to participate, contribute, and succeed.