Rewriting What’s Possible

By Michelle Maslanka & Anneliese Williams

Victoria’s Victory Foundation is proud to introduce Michelle and Anneliese, our Resource Navigators, whose journeys reflect the very heart of Victoria’s Victory Foundation’s mission. Both began as scholarship recipients, navigating life after disability with determination, uncertainty, and hope. What they found in VVF was more than financial support—it was a community that saw them, supported them, and stood beside them during some of their most challenging moments.

Today, Michelle and Anneliese have come full circle, stepping into their roles as Resource Navigators to guide others on similar paths. Their lived experiences, combined with their passion for connection and advocacy, allow them to support individuals and families in meaningful, deeply personal ways. They understand firsthand the barriers, the questions, and the victories—both big and small—that shape this journey.

What follows are their stories—of resilience, growth, and the power of a community that turns challenges into victories.

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Michelle

One of the most powerful things I’ve learned is that Victoria’s Victory Foundation is more than an organization—it’s a family. From day one as a scholarship recipient, I felt seen, supported, and understood. That same sense of belonging continues to shape my work today. It’s not just about programs or resources; it’s about people showing up for each other in real, lasting ways.

My journey with Victoria's Victory Foundation started with three Victory Scholarships, but it didn’t end when the funds were dispersed—it evolved into something even more meaningful. Today, as a Resource Navigator for VVF, I have the privilege of giving back to the very community that once lifted me up. What started as support during a challenging time has grown into a purpose-driven role rooted in connection, advocacy, and hope.

Living with a disability can feel isolating, especially in the early stages of diagnosis or after an injury. That’s why I’m deeply committed to making sure no one feels alone in their journey. I remember what it was like to search for answers, for community, for reassurance that life could still be full and meaningful. Now, I strive to be part of that reassurance for others.

Along the way, I’ve discovered resources, tools, and strategies that have made a real difference in my life—whether it’s adaptive fitness options, mental health support, or simply finding the right community. Being in this role allows me to share those resources with others, helping to ease their struggles and shorten the learning curve that so many face.

Perhaps the most rewarding part of my work is hearing others’ victories—big or small. Every milestone matters. Whether it’s someone returning to a sport they love, gaining independence, or simply finding joy again, these moments are worth celebrating. I’m passionate about encouraging and supporting individuals as they reclaim their lives after diagnosis or injury, reminding them that their story is still unfolding.

This transition from recipient to team member isn’t just a career shift—it’s a full-circle moment. And I’m grateful every day to be part of a community that continues to turn challenges into victories.

Anneliese

As a new quadriplegic, I had to relearn how to breathe, eat, and care for myself, but the real wake-up call came after discharge. At the hospital, I had access to all the equipment I needed from lightweight wheelchairs to standing frames and sports chairs: like for many disabled individuals, to me, it wasn’t “just” equipment, it was what helped me regain my strength and reclaim my identity and independence as a student and athlete. What no one told me, though, was that despite equipment and therapy playing a critical role in my recovery, outside the hospital, accessing it would become seemingly impossible.

I entered a world of insurance denials. Stairs barred my entry into buildings on campus, I had a poorly fit wheelchair that was too heavy to push effectively, I couldn’t just escape to the soccer field anymore, and the waitlist to get services seemed endless. I felt so alone. My list of dreams seemed further and further from becoming reality, and yet, I refused to give up.

That is when Victoria’s Victory Foundation stepped in, and for the first time since my diagnosis, I felt like I could exhale. They provided me with life-changing scholarships that gave me access to the world of sports and independent living again. With the equipment they granted me, I competed in CrossFit, I travelled and spent time with friends, I went skydiving, and I graduated from college. I went from just getting through each day…to actually living again.

What VVF gave me, though, was more than a one-time scholarship: they gave me a place of belonging that I longed for. I had been paralyzed by a rare disease- not by a traumatic SCI- and it felt like there were no spaces for people like me. But VVF showed me that that wasn’t true. I wasn’t in this alone.

For a long time, surviving was my biggest victory, and if that’s where you are right now, know that that is enough. But with VVF’s support, my life became about more than just making it through the day. As I grew stronger and more independent, I found myself not just receiving support but offering it to others: sharing my story and how the Foundation had helped me, working to improve accessibility in my community, and teaching people with new injuries and diagnoses what I have learned along the way. I realized that the guidance, encouragement, and access to resources that meant so much to me were now things I could provide others, and I wanted to give back.

That desire led me back to VVF—not as a recipient but as an employee, and today, I serve as a Resource Navigator at the very Foundation that helped make my life possible.

Now, I get to work with individuals who are where I once was, trying to understand what comes next after a life-changing diagnosis, what resources exist, and how to rebuild independence. I know I cannot take away the pain and grief that comes with life-changing mobility diagnoses, but I can wheel alongside you through it as you find your footing again. Whether you need recommendations for resources, encouragement to try adaptive sports, someone to celebrate your wins with, or a listening ear from someone who understands…or even if you are just feeling lost and don’t know where to begin- I’m here to help.

I know how lonely it can feel- I was once there too- but I also know this: there are people who care, and there are people who want to listen to your story. It can be hard to take that first step of asking for help, but when you do, there are people who want to support you: That is who we are at Victoria’s Victory Foundation, and I am so grateful I get to be a part of it.

Michelle and Anneliese’s stories are different in their details, but nevertheless, their journeys both reflect what Victoria’s Victory Foundation is truly about: not just providing support in moments of need but building lasting connections that grow into empowerment, leadership, and community. While the journey after a life-changing disability can be filled with barriers and uncertainty, their paths from scholarship recipients to employees show that with the right support, it can also lead to purpose and new beginnings.