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Cody Unser

@codyfirststep

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Founder, The Cody Unser First Step Foundation
Life Motto: “Live with no regrets. Laugh until it hurts. Love like it's the first time.”—XOXO Cody
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🏁♿ FROM NAVIGATING BARRIERS TO BREAKING THEM! 💜🏁 ALBUQUERQUE, WE HAVE SOME WORK TO DO! I am incredibly HONORED to announce that I’ve been appointed by Mayor Tim Keller @mayorkeller and confirmed by the Albuquerque City Council @abqcitycouncil @oneabq to serve on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Council! 🎉 I was born and raised in Albuquerque. I became paralyzed here at 12 years old. And for nearly 28 years, I’ve traveled the country fighting for disability rights. Now it’s time to bring that mission HOME! 💜 I’ve personally experienced the inaccessible sidewalks, inadequate accessible parking, barriers at businesses, and endless excuses throughout our city. Here’s my question: We have health departments inspecting restaurants and fire departments enforcing safety codes. So WHY are people with disabilities so often left to fight for ADA compliance ourselves? The ADA never created an enforcement agency…people with disabilities are that agency! We shouldn’t have to sue establishments just to exercise our CIVIL RIGHTS! “Accessibility should be built into the infrastructure, the fabric, and the HEART of Albuquerque. Every new building, every sidewalk, every business, every city development project should begin with accessibility in mind. Not as an afterthought. Not after someone files a complaint. FROM THE VERY FIRST BLUEPRINT!” 💥 Disability is a PUBLIC HEALTH issue, and anyone can become part of our community at ANY time! And this isn’t just about ramps and parking spaces. It’s about ACCESS TO LIFE! 💜 People with disabilities deserve to work, explore, celebrate, chase their dreams, enjoy the ride, and reach their own CHECKERED FLAGS! 🏁 I want to help make that possible right here in the city I LOVE! I’m honored to have a seat at the table, but even more excited to get to WORK! NOTHING ABOUT US WITHOUT US! Albuquerque, the GREEN FLAG is waving! 🟢🏁 LET’S BUILD AN ACCESSIBLE ABQ! ♿💜🏁 Rock ON!!! 🏁💜🤘 #AccessibleABQ #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #DisabilityRights #ADA #wheelchairbarbie by @codyfirststep
🚨💖🏁 FINAL LAP! TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE! 🏁💖🚨 Wheelchair Barbie needs her PIT CREW!!! ♿️💕 For 10 YEARS, I’ve been racing across the country, presenting “Wheelchair Barbie Goes to the Gynecologist” at over 40 universities, challenging the physical and attitudinal barriers that prevent women with disabilities from accessing the sexual and reproductive healthcare we DESERVE! This mission is PERSONAL. It’s about our bodies, our dignity, our independence, and our RIGHT to equitable healthcare! 💪 Now, this decade long journey has been recognized as a 2026 Anthem Awards FINALIST @anthemawards ! 🏆 And we have ONE MORE LAP to go! 🏁 HELP ME CROSS THE FINISH LINE! 🗳️ Vote for “Wheelchair Barbie Goes to the Gynecologist” for the Anthem Community Voice Award! 💖 It takes just a moment to vote, but your support helps amplify a mission I’ve dedicated a decade of my life to! 10 YEARS. 40+ UNIVERSITIES. MILLIONS OF WOMEN WHO DESERVE BETTER. Link in BIO! Wheelchair Barbie isn’t slowing down anytime soon! 💋♿️ 🏁 LET’S BRING HOME THAT CHECKERED FLAG!!! 🏁 Rock ON!!! 💜🏁🤘 #AnthemAwards #CommunityVoiceAward #WheelchairBarbie #DisabilityJustice by @codyfirststep
🏁💜 INDY wasn’t ALL work and no play! 🏎️♿️ Between the intense days at @drivenneuro @neurohope, I managed to pack in some pretty EPIC adventures! Family @shanu88, @skye_emerald_ , friends, fabulous food, I’m still dreaming about those yummy French toast sticks at The Oakmont @theoakmontindy, meeting the incredible Don Lemon @donlemonofficial and DL Hughley @realdlhughley, carving pumpkins with the fabulous Katie Buttera @thekatiebuttera (although I asked for the POWER DRILL! 😂🎃), sitting in the legendary John Buttera’s mini sprint car 🏎️, and wheeling down Leigh’s @leighbuttera ramp like I was taking the green flag! 🏁 There was laughter, love, a little mischief, and some unforgettable moments with people who mean the world to me. ❤️ This trip was physically demanding, mentally exhausting, and emotionally overwhelming at times. But it also reminded me that life isn’t just about pushing through the hard laps. It’s about enjoying the ride, making memories, and surrounding yourself with a Pit Crew that fuels your soul. INDY, you challenged me, recharged me, made me laugh, made me cry, and reminded me that there’s still a whole lot of LIFE left to experience! 🏁 The checkered flag isn’t the end of the adventure…it’s the beginning of the next race! 💜 Rock ON!!! 🤘💜🏁 #PitCrew #WheelchairBarbie #Indy #NoWorkNoPlay by @codyfirststep
💥🏁 MY WHEELCHAIR IS NOT LUGGAGE! IT’S MY LEGS, MY INDEPENDENCE, AND MY FREEDOM! ♿️💥 After two intense weeks at @drivenneuro @neurohope rebuilding my strength and independence, I landed in Houston on my way back home to ABQ only to discover my wheelchair was headed to my NEXT GATE instead of the aircraft door! 😡 I specifically told the Indianapolis gate agents EXACTLY how to tag my wheelchair because they didn’t know! Clarified it MULTIPLE times! But apparently they knew better than the woman who’s been traveling on wheels for DECADES! 🙄 I WASN’T CONFUSED. I WASN’T UNCLEAR. I WASN’T LISTENED TO! Suddenly, I was stuck in an unstable airport wheelchair, afraid of falling, dependent on strangers to help me go to the bathroom to change my pull up and cath. It doesn’t matter what I needed to do…🤬 my independence, safety, and dignity were compromised! Now for the GOOD! 💜🤘🏁 ❤️ Ethan and Raphael, Houston wheelchair attendants, were incredible and got me to my gate in time! You guys ROCK! 🤘 ✈️ @united Captain Alex Rasmussen requested a PHOTO of my wheelchair, gave me his card, and personally made sure she got on the plane! THAT’S LEADERSHIP! 💜 And I LOVE my ABQ flight crew, in the AIR and on the GROUND! I know my wheels and I are in good hands at the @abq.sunport! 💜 But WE SHOULDN’T HAVE TO RELY ON GOOD PEOPLE TO MAKE UP FOR BAD TRAINING! 🤬 We fought HARD for stronger airline wheelchair protections during the Biden administration. THIS is why! For wheelchair users, flying has become NOT IF, BUT WHEN AND HOW our wheelchairs will be LOST, LEFT BEHIND, or DAMAGED! To my disability community: BUCKLE UP! 🏁 Never let fear stop your adventures, but DAMN, apparently we’re expected to be the driver, the passenger AND the pit crew when the system fails! Sadly, it’s been that way!!! This is our LIFE!!! 🤬🔥🏁 AIRLINES: LISTEN TO US! TRAIN YOUR PEOPLE! RESPECT OUR WHEELS! ♿️ ACCESSIBILITY ISN’T A COURTESY. IT’S A CIVIL RIGHT! Rock ON!!! 🤘💜🏁 #WheelchairsAreNotLuggage #DisabilityRights #AirTravelAccessibility #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #UnitedAirlines by @codyfirststep
🏁 FERGUS IS HEADING FOR THE CHECKERED FLAG! 🏁 In 2018, Fergus Farrell sustained a spinal cord injury and was given just a 5% chance of walking again. Now this BADASS is taking on a 3,000 MILE journey across America, proving that determination, resilience, and one hell of a PIT CREW can take you places you never imagined! Through Fergus Walks, he’s raising awareness and funds for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation and Spinal Injuries Ireland, shining a spotlight on the SCI community. As someone who has lived with paralysis for almost 28 years, I know this race isn’t just about walking. It’s about pushing boundaries, challenging expectations, and reminding the world that our lives don’t stop at a spinal cord injury! 🏎️ Fergus, your PIT CREW is cheering you on! Keep your eyes on that CHECKERED FLAG! You’ve already inspired so many of us, and we’re rooting for you all the way to the FINISH LINE! LET’S GO, FERGUS! GREEN, GREEN, GREEN! 🏁🔥🏁 Rock ON!!! 💜🤘🏁 http://christopherreeve.org/Fergus @reevefoundation @iamfergusfarrell @spinalinjuriesireland #FergusWalks #ReeveFoundation #SpinalInjuriesIreland #6MillionSteps by @codyfirststep
🏁🏆 I CLAIMED THE CHECKERED FLAG!!! 🏁 @drivenneuro @neurohope ROCKS!!! 💜🔥 WOW!!! These past two weeks were challenging, emotional, overwhelming, and EXACTLY what my body and soul needed! I had a couple of rough Autonomic Dysreflexia episodes that brought out the CAUTION FLAG! ⚠️ But I DIDN’T MISS A SINGLE DAY! I SHOWED UP FOR MYSELF! 💪 For the past couple years, I’ve been battling severe depression, relentless pain that I live with every second, and the grief of desperately missing my mom. The mission that became part of my soul when I was paralyzed at 12 from Transverse Myelitis was at WAR with simply trying to survive. But somewhere in these two weeks, I started finding ME again! ❤️‍🔥 Strength, confidence, and that FIRE I thought I’d lost! And NO driver reaches the checkered flag without an incredible PIT CREW! 🏎️❤️ To my sister Shannon @shanu88, who helped me tremendously that first week, my second mom Leigh Buttera @leighbuttera , Grandma Wanda, Ashley @ashley_michela87 for taking care of my kitties back home, Darrell Gwynn, Aunt Marilyn Hamilton, and Linda Vaughn @lindavaughn39 — THANK YOU for keeping this driver in the race! To Sam Schmidt @sam.schmidt_ and Chris Leeuw, THANK YOU for making Driven NeuroHope possible! Rebekah…I now have a soul sister for life! @re.bekaht44 And my BADASS therapists Mel, Hamilton, Caitlin, and Tia! You challenged me EVERY DAY! When I said I wanted to work on my core, MAN OH MAN, you took that SERIOUSLY! 😂🔥 Now I can’t wait to show my trainer back home, @1nickpage, everything I’ve learned so we can keep this momentum going! 💪💜🏁🤘 I came here to get stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally. I’m leaving knowing that showing up for MYSELF is just as important as showing up for the world I’m trying to change. 💜 This race isn’t over. I’m just getting back up to speed! Thank YOU ALL for your encouraging messages to keep in on the track and in this race! 💜🏁💜 🏁 MORE CHECKERED FLAGS TO CLAIM! GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! 🏎️🔥 #DrivenNeuroHope #TransverseMyelitis #SCIRecovery #PitCrew #wheelchairbarbie by @codyfirststep
🎂💜 HAPPY BIRTHDAY Bro @alunseriii!!! You’re such a BADASS! Thanks for having my back when it counts and showing me cool shit! You’re killin’ it in Real Estate! Mom is so proud and so am I! Love ya! 💜🤘🏁🎂🎈🎁 by @codyfirststep
🎾💜 NEW SPORT UNLOCKED…TENNIS!!! 🎾💜 I had an absolute BLAST today @drivenneuro @neurohope with the USTA Midwest Tennis Center crew @usta! Bryan, you were BAD ASS! Thank you for taking the time to show me some moves! Challenging, competitive, and SPICY…just like me! 🌶️😂 Hey, I’m from New Mexico, where our official state question is RED or GREEN?! I’ve always wanted to try tennis, especially knowing the LEGENDARY Marilyn Hamilton…a very special person in my life! Not just a wheelchair tennis champion, but a pioneer who helped REVOLUTIONIZE the wheelchair industry and adaptive sports as the co-founder @quickiewheels ! I love you Aunt Mar! 💜🎾♿️🏁💪 Basketball was MY sport before I became paralyzed at 12 from Transverse Myelitis. So I KNOW the thrill of a sports chair! The camber, lightning fast turns with just a finger on the push rim, and ALL THAT CORE ACTION! 🔥 I think I’M HOOKED! 🎾💜🎾 Tomorrow is my FINAL DAY of this 2 week SCI intensive! ONE MORE LAP TO THE CHECKERED FLAG! 🏁 To my incredible PIT CREW cheering me on and sending words of encouragement…THANK YOU! I love you all from the bottom of my heart! 💜 My challenge to YOU all? TRY SOMETHING NEW! A sport, a trip, a drive to nowhere! Whatever gets you moving, experiencing, and LIVING! I DARE YOU! Now…I need to get my hands on a tennis chair when I get back home!!! Who will MEET ME ON THE COURT! 🎾🔥🤘 ROCK ON! 💜🤘🏁 #WheelchairTennis #wheelchairbarbie #SCIRecovery #TransverseMyelitis #DrivenNeuroHope by @codyfirststep
I’m presenting “Wheelchair Barbie Goes to the Gynecologist” TODAY at 12 pm EST for the @univofmaryland ! I’m so excited to continue this mission of educating medical professionals about the inequalities we women with disabilities experience when accessing our Reproductive Healthcare! The Lived Experience is extremely vital! Anyone is welcome to JOIN! Link below and also in my BIO! See you all virtually soon! 💜 Rock ON!!! 💜🏁🤘🧜‍♀️♿️🔥 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88475080149 #WheelchairBarbie #ReproductiveJustice #DisabledWomen #OBGYN by @codyfirststep
🏁🏎️ CALLING ALL MEMBERS OF CODY UNSER’S PIT CREW! 💜 I’M GETTING BACK BEHIND THE WHEEL, AND I NEED YOUR HELP TO GET TO THE STARTING LINE! November 6–8, I’m heading to Houston, Texas, to compete in the 24 Hours of Lemons at MSR Houston with TCB Racing and @onward_motion_ Foundation! That’s right! This Unser girl is getting behind the wheel of a SUPERMAN themed Mini Cooper equipped with HAND CONTROLS! 🏎️💨 @reevefoundation Racing has always been in my blood! Becoming paralyzed at 12 may have changed my wheels, but it NEVER took away my drive! 💜 SO WHAT’S ONWARD MOTION? Onward Motion HELPS is a disability-led nonprofit breaking barriers and empowering people with disabilities through adaptive motorsports, outdoor adventures, education, and community! Their mission? Get people with disabilities OFF the sidelines and INTO the action! 🏁 NOW I NEED MY PIT CREW! I’m fundraising to help fuel this incredible mission, and I’m calling on my friends, family, racing community, and disability advocates to jump on board! Whether it’s $5, $10, $25, $50, or simply sharing this post, EVERY contribution keeps the momentum going! This is bigger than racing. It’s about ACCESS, INDEPENDENCE, INCLUSION, and putting possibility in the driver’s seat! Time to channel my Grandpa Unser and Uncle Bobby and show Houston what a different set of wheels can do! 🏁 WILL YOU JOIN MY PIT CREW? 💜 DONATE HERE or Link in BIO: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/onward-motion-helps/driver-fundraising-for-msr-2026-cody-unser LET’S GO! GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! 🏁🏎️💨 Rock ON!!! 💜🏁🤘🔥🏎️ #CodysPitCrew #OnwardMotionHELPS #24HoursOfLemons #AdaptiveRacing #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs by @codyfirststep
🏁 WEEK 1 AT DRIVEN NEUROHOPE… WHAT A RIDE! 🏎️💜🤘🔥💪🏁 This week has been INTENSE, challenging, exhausting, empowering, and exactly what my body and soul needed! After Day 2, I had to make an unexpected PIT STOP when Autonomic Dysreflexia hit. My core had been worked to the MAX, my torso was tight, chills, horrible nausea, pounding headache…the whole nine yards. But this driver wasn’t ready to park it! I’ve made some serious laps in this race to rebuild my physical and mental strength. Race car drivers need a badass PIT CREW, and in life, that concept isn’t different. 🏁 My sister Shannon @shanu88 has been right there working out alongside me, pushing and motivating me. My Grandma Wanda even got in on the action! Leigh Buttera @leighbuttera …a close friend and second Mom, has been another incredible part of my crew. Thank you ALL! I Love You so much and I’m so grateful for your support and encouragement! 💜 The therapists at @drivenneuro ? They’re changing my tires, refueling my tank, fine-tuning my engine, and helping me find gears I didn’t know I still had! You guys ROCK! 🤘💜🤘 Thanks Bro @alunseriii for insisting on an Epsom salt bath every night. GAME CHANGER! 🛁 Just what I needed to get back on the track the next day! None of this would be possible without the vision and determination of Sam Schmidt @sam.schmidt_ and Chris Leeuw. What they’ve built here is so much more than rehabilitation. It’s a place to rediscover strength, confidence, community, and possibility. 💜 This weekend I’m pulling into the garage for some much needed recovery before WEEK 2! The goal isn’t just to build a stronger body. It’s to build a stronger ME so I can continue my mission of helping the disabled world and educating the nondisabled world about US! 💪 The checkered flag isn’t waving yet, and this driver has plenty more laps to go! 🏁💜LET’S GO! GREEN! GREEN! GREEN! 💜🏁 Rock ON!!! 💜🏁🤘 #DrivenNeuroHope #SCIRecovery #BacktotheGarage #wheelchairbarbie #PitCrew by @codyfirststep
DAY 5 @drivenneuro @neurohope THANK YOU All for your support and encouragement!!! Made Laps this week in this race…I’m ready for Next Week! Getting Stronger Every Day! 💪 My Pit Crew Rocks!!! @sam.schmidt_ @shanu88 @leighbuttera 💜🤘🏁 Rock ON!!! 💜🏁🤘 #SchmidtHappens #WheelchairBarbie #SCIRehab by @codyfirststep

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