- Our Story — In My Words

In 2011, a natural gas explosion in my home left me paralyzed at the T8 level. Overnight, I went from leading teams on public health initiatives to relearning how to live in a world that was not built for me.

After more than a year in the hospital and rehabilitation facilities, I faced a different reality — one that most people never see. I was no longer just recovering from trauma. I was navigating systems that were not built for me. Healthcare that didn’t coordinate. Housing that wasn’t accessible. Employment pathways that quietly assumed limitation.

The physical injury was life-altering. But the systemic barriers were life-defining. The barriers changed my perspective. As I connected with others with disabilities, I realized my experience was not unique. Capable, talented people were being excluded — not because of disability, but because systems were not designed with us in mind. With more than 15 years of experience in public health and partnership development, I knew we could build something better.

So in 2016, I founded Disability Partnerships.

Today, we are a disability-led 501(c)(3) delivering more than 260 adaptive wellness classes annually, reaching 4,000+ participants, and expanding access to health, economic opportunity, and mental wellness support for people with physical disabilities and seniors across multiple states.

We work alongside corporations, healthcare systems, and community partners to remove practical barriers in health, housing, employment, and wellness — turning lived experience into scalable solutions.

Disability is not a niche issue. It is a universal human reality. At any moment, anyone can join this community.

My commitment is simple: To transform personal tragedy into systemic change. Together, we can create communities where accessibility is not an afterthought, but a standard.

— Tamara Gallman

Mission: To improve the quality of life of persons living with a physical disability.

Vision: An accessible world that provides lasting opportunities for all persons living with a physical disability.