November 7, 2025
Rolling Through Resistance: An Advocate’s Day at the Capitol
Mackenzie Wann
When you roll into the Wisconsin State Capitol as a quadriplegic, you feel the weight of what that moment represents. You feel the long road it took just to get there — the years of navigating life after injury, the insurance battles, the medical complications, the days when showing up feels impossible.
And yet, that’s exactly what we did. We showed up.
Showing Up, Even When It Hurts
On October 15, I met up with other Wisconsin advocates from Unite 2 Fight Paralysis’ Cure Advocacy Network. We had gathered in Madison to push for our SCI Research Grant bill (SB99 / AB92) which seeks to invest $5 million every two years toward functional recovery research in Wisconsin.
It wasn’t our first visit to the Wisconsin Capitol. We’ve been here many times before — through setbacks, slow progress, and “maybe next session” conversations. But this time, we arrived determined to break through the political roadblocks keeping this bill from moving forward.
The morning began with hard news: our bill wouldn’t be scheduled for a floor vote because of the “Rule of 17,” an unwritten policy requiring 17 votes from the majority party before a bill advances — even though bipartisan support for our proposed legislation already exists.
We could’ve left discouraged, right then and there. Instead, we do what our community often does - we adapt.
Pivoting with Purpose
We spent the day in full-on, impromptu “drop-in” mode, moving from office to office to connect wherever we could. We clarified misconceptions, shared personal stories, and respectfully challenged pushback. Between visits, we regrouped in hallways to share updates and adjust our approach in real time — keeping the energy alive and finding new angles to keep our bill in motion.
What began as a disappointing morning turned into a day of movement and momentum. By afternoon, we’d learned that more senators supported our effort than leadership realized — and that growing frustration with the “Rule of 17” might finally open a path forward.
It was a reminder that advocacy rarely runs in a straight line, but often lives in the gray space between “no” and “not yet.”
The Cost of Showing Up
Behind those conversations with legislators was a cost most people never see.
Several of us pushed through significant pain just to be there. I came with the excruciating pain of a pressure sore — a life threatening secondary complication common to wheelchair users, due to always being seated.
Fellow advocates Mike Mohr, Samantha Troyer, and Bethany Sullivan had similar stories — Sam drove hours in her backup wheelchair that was already breaking down her skin. Mike had to be hypervigilant about taking pressure relief breaks to prevent the exact same kind of injury I was dealing with, while Bethany showed up even though her Botox injections had worn off, leaving her feet in severe pain. By the end of the day, we were sore and tired, but encouraged.
These aren’t details we share for sympathy — they’re proof of what commitment looks like when your body is on the line. For us, advocacy isn’t theoretical. It’s physical.
Mike Mohr testifies before the Assembly Committee on Colleges and Universities back in 2022. Mike was with us a few weeks ago and like the rest of us is not giving up.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
That’s why, when we’re able, showing up in person matters. You can send emails or policy briefs, but nothing replaces the moment a legislator looks you in the eye and sees what this fight truly costs. It humanizes the policy. It reminds them that spinal cord injury research isn’t abstract — it’s about giving people their lives back.
My spinal cord injury changed everything about my life, but it also gave me a renewed sense of purpose. When I advocate for this bill, I’m not just talking about research funding — I’m talking about hope with a heartbeat. Hope in the prospect that those who come after us won’t spend decades waiting for progress, but will actually get to see it.
Persistence in Motion
That’s what advocacy is — not instant victory, but the steady grind of relentless persistence. We show up, speak out, and keep rolling forward, even when the path is uphill.
Advocacy isn’t just about changing laws. It’s about reclaiming power, visibility, and dignity. It’s about proving that our lives, our voices, and our futures are worth investing in.
Persistence is our superpower. And as long as we keep showing up, this movement — and this hope — will keep rolling forward.
Join us!
Mackenzie Wann, Wisconsin CAN Advocate
Disability Advocate | Accessibility Consultant | Peer Mentor
Fueled by purpose… & sarcasm
