Faces of ABLE: Meet Justine

When Justine reflects on her life today, she does so with a blend of resilience, advocacy, and forward momentum. In 2014, while walking her dog in the rain, she slipped and fell outside her home — an accident that led to a spinal cord injury, hydrocephalus, and a new path she never expected. At 40 years old, she became a paraplegic, and after multiple surgeries and more than a year in and out of rehabilitation, she began the long process of rebuilding her life with a disability.

“Learning how to drive using hand controls, learning how to manage my health, learning how to navigate life from a wheelchair — it was all a completely new way of living for me,” she recalls.

With time, therapy, and determination, Justine regained strength, mobility, and confidence. She began sharing her journey in a monthly column for Disability Independence Group (DIG) and later joined their team to help manage communications and support community programming. Today, she serves as the Chairwoman of the Disability Advisory Board for the City of Coral Gables and continues to advocate for accessibility and inclusion across South Florida.

This year, Justine joins ABLE United as a newly eligible ambassador. After the ABLE Age Adjustment Act expanded eligibility to individuals whose disability onset occurs before age 46, she became eligible to open an ABLE account for the first time.

“Having an ABLE account available to me will provide financial flexibility and security I haven’t had before. Being able to save for expenses that support my independence — without affecting benefits I rely on — is a game changer for my quality of life.”
— Justine, new ABLE United ambassador

Justine’s story is a reminder that independence can take many forms — and that every journey is worth investing in.

Inspired by Justine's story? Check out more of our Faces of ABLE stories and see how ABLE United can empower you to take charge of your finances and build a brighter future.