Andrea Dalzell is the first-ever wheelchair-using nurse in the state of New York. Popularly referred to as “The Seated Nurse,” hers is a captivating tale of a relentless African-American woman from New York City who managed to become a registered nurse despite being confined to a wheelchair since infancy.
Dalzell, at the age of 5, was diagnosed with transverse myelitis and has struggled with pain, muscle weakness, and paralysis since then, according to her website.
Despite being wheelchair-bound at the age of 12, she refused to be defined by her disability. She earned her degree from the City University of New York, College of Staten Island.
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She took on numerous tasks, such as being a health director and case manager, to make ends meet. This was after the difficulties she faced in obtaining a nursing job and the obstacles she encountered when attempting to convince hospitals she could do nursing duties from a wheelchair, per Black News.
After 76 interviews, she was finally hired as New York State’s first wheelchair-using registered nurse. Throughout the pandemic, she remained on the front lines, caring for COVID-19 patients in New York City.
In addition to her nursing duties, Dalzell is a passionate advocate for disability rights. She was even crowned Ms. Wheelchair New York in 2015. Her platform, “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Access,” aims to empower people with disabilities to lead fulfilling lives.
Dalzell’s advocacy efforts have earned her significant recognition, including being named New Mobility’s Person of the Year in 2021 and receiving the Craig H. Neilsen Visionary Prize. Her inspiring story has been featured in numerous media outlets, highlighting her as a beacon of hope for individuals with disabilities.
Currently, Dalzell continues to advance in healthcare, leveraging her experience to inspire and support others with disabilities. She aspires to one day establish a nonprofit organization to extend her help to individuals of all physical abilities.
