Speedy, a wheelchair user from New Orleans featured on Queer Eye Season 7, sharing his inspiring journey on Instagram and TikTok (Speedy4Prezident), spreading positivity and normalizing life following a car accident. Reddit seeks more details about him.
In Queer Eye Season 7 on Netflix, the Fab Five had the pleasure of meeting Speedy, an inspirational wheelchair user from New Orleans who uses his TikTok channel to inspire others to be their best selves. Karamo, one of the show‘s hosts, actually discovered Speedy on TikTok, and it’s no surprise why. His TikTok page currently boasts an impressive 74.3k followers and 1.7 million likes.
Previously, we discussed Jemell M. Nelson and Jenni Seckel.
What Happened to Speedy From Queer Eye Season 7?
During his appearance on the latest Season 7 of Queer Eye, Speedy opened up about the tragic car accident that left him paraplegic, just like he had shared on his TikTok (Speedy4Prezident). The devastating incident transpired on April 25, 2020, when he was only 18 years old.
The New Orleans native, along with his mother and aunt, was involved in a horrific collision with an F-150 truck. Their car careened off the road, crashing into a tree. Speedy endured multiple hours of surgery on his spinal cord and, upon awakening, received the heart-wrenching news that he was paralyzed from the waist down. To compound his grief, he also learned that his beloved mother and aunt had lost their lives in the tragic crash.
Before the accident, Speedy had dreams of becoming a professional basketball player and using his earnings to provide his mother with a better life. However, at the beginning of the episode, he candidly admitted that he rarely played or watched basketball anymore. The accident had shattered his confidence, and he found himself preferring to stay at home due to self-consciousness about his wheelchair. Even his own home presented accessibility challenges.
Nevertheless, by the end of the episode, Speedy’s life had undergone a remarkable transformation. He had moved into a brand-new, wheelchair-accessible apartment and had rediscovered his determination to use his personal story to motivate others. He envisioned a future where he could become a trainer or coach, empowering individuals through his experiences. Additionally, he recognized that allowing himself to be vulnerable would open doors for others to lend their support.
Presently, Speedy continues to share his journey on TikTok and Instagram, even featuring his appearance on ABC’s WGNO nightly news. He regularly updates his followers with various aspects of his life, such as attending college virtually and even delving into the world of dating. In one lighthearted post from February 5, he proudly displayed two new tattoos on his knees, humorously referring to his “skinny ‘ol legs.” Previously, Speedy had refrained from wearing shorts due to embarrassment stemming from the accident, but his newfound confidence allowed him to embrace his body.
Through his posts, Speedy provides insight into the daily life of a wheelchair user, normalizing their experiences. For example, he demonstrated how he drives a car without using his legs, utilizing a specially designed bar controlled by his hands to operate the gas and brake pedals.
Reddit users admire how he shares messages of positivity and resilience. In an April 13 TikTok, he addressed the issue of dealing with negativity and haters, simply stating that he chooses to ignore them. It’s worth noting that he filmed this particular video on a basketball court, signifying that he has managed to keep basketball in his life even after his appearance on Queer Eye.
One thing is for certain: Speedy’s impeccable fashion sense has remained intact throughout his journey.