Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Powell
Hi Emily, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
August 15th of 2012, two days after I turned 16, I broke my neck as a passenger in a motor vehicle accident. Unfortunately, the accident left me a C-5 quadriplegic. Shortly after my accident, I got my GED as I knew my education would be my passport to the future. Immediately after finishing my GED, I went to Navarro community college and received my associates degree. After that, I continued pursuing my education and decided to attend UNT Dallas. I obtained a bachelors degree in human services resources and management leadership. I have always loved helping people and knew that I wanted to go into the field of counseling. After graduating with my bachelors, I applied to grad school in the town I grew up in. May of 2022, I graduated with my masters degree in clinical mental health counseling from Nelson graduate school. Today, I am three months shy of being a fully licensed professional counselor. I am currently a licensed professional counselor associate as I am finishing my 3000 clinical hours. I love what I do, but I have always felt a calling to go beyond helping 20-25 people a week. I want to help as many people as I can. I decided to start my own podcast “Caught in the spokes” to shed light on people stories, and the wisdom I have obtained throughout my own journey. As a wheelchair user, I am constantly finding myself “caught in the spokes” and have come to the realization that all humans have been caught in the spokes of life at some point or another. But from hardship, we learn to be resilient. It is only when we are in the face of adversity that we find our greatest strength.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I wish I could say it has been a smooth road but I would be lying if I did. For me, some struggles I have faced along the way have been moving out of my parents home and finding reliable care. Having a spinal cord injury at the cervical level is very challenging because of the independence that you lose. I rely heavily on caregivers to help me with everyday tasks. Unfortunately, the home health agencies I am under are state funded, (Medicaid) which means the caregivers get paid around $10 an hour with no paid benefits. Finding and keeping good help to care for me in the way that I need to be cared for has been quite cumbersome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a licensed professional counselor associate. I specialize in life transitions, trauma, people with disabilities, substance abuse, teens, and mood disorders. I am most proud of moving out of my parent’s home and obtaining my licensure. Living on my own and pursuing a career in counseling has given me a form of independence I did not know was possible until I did it.
How do you think about luck?
In terms of bad luck, I feel unlucky to have sustained a spinal cord injury, especially at such a young age. It is not for the faint of heart. However, in terms of luck, I feel extremely lucky that I have come as far as I have. I feel lucky to have such a close relationship with my sister who does all the editing with my podcast- and to have a great job where I get to help many people.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/emiii21
- Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/@CaughtInTheSpokesPodcast
- LinkedIn: Follow me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=emily-powell-16a414241
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@caughtinthespokespodcast?si=U8JMPyElsZaKS0KK
