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Spencer West
Inspirational Adventurist; Double Amputee; Disability & LGBTQ Justice Advocate; Social Media Influencer on Overcoming Bullying and Creating Positive Change
Spencer West is a visionary activist and motivational speaker who faced numerous challenges early in his life. Born with sacral agenesis, he underwent a double amputation at the age of five, entering a world often unfriendly towards those with disabilities. Undeterred, he confronted these challenges head-on, learning to navigate this world and accomplishing things that many thought impossible. His journey has equipped him with techniques that professionals, educators, and young people can utilize to redefine their own potential.
West, a graduate of Westminster College with a degree in communications, is known for his advocacy in the disability justice movement and the LGBT community. His accomplishments include summiting Mount Kilimanjaro on his hands and wheelchair, a feat that raised over $500,000 for the Free the Children charity. He has also opened for Demi Lovato on a World Tour, and starred in the documentary Redefine Possible: The Story of Spencer West, which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival. As an author, he penned the best-selling book "Standing Tall: My Journey," and has developed a significant following on social media platforms like TikTok, where he posts about the disability justice movement and his personal experiences as a gay amputee. West also had a stint as an operations manager at a salon and spa in Phoenix, Arizona, and volunteered at a TV newsroom before becoming an ambassador for ME to WE.
West's influence spreads far beyond social media. He has appeared in numerous media outlets, including ABC News, Buzz Feed, 60 Minutes, CTV, BBC News, TMZ, CNN, Forbes, and The Globe & Mail, CBS This Morning, Bloomberg and was a featured guest on Season 2 of "Karamo The Podcast," hosted by Karamo Brown. He has also spoken alongside notable figures such as former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore, Mia Farrow, Martin Luther King III, Jennifer Hudson, and Natalie Portman, amongst others.
Spencer West's inspiring words have echoed around the world, reaching millions of listeners virtually and in-person. His speaking engagements have included audiences from Virgin Atlantic, KPMG, Staples, Financial Institutions, Insurance, Microsoft, Universal McCann, Ministry of Education, Colleges & Universities, YPO/WPO, SickKids Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, Healthcare Sector, Financial Institutions, and more.
Whether at corporate conferences, universities, non-profit organizations, or in 20,000-seat stadiums, West's charisma and dynamism captivate all. His words and actions have propelled millions to confront their challenges, embrace change, and instill hope. His speeches offer valuable lessons on finding opportunity in every challenge and motivating others to create positive change.
Now residing in Toronto and in the process of applying for Canadian citizenship, West continues to use his experiences, imbued with humor and humility, to enlighten others on how to face adversity. His life-lessons stimulate hope and empower leaders to motivate others to effect positive change.
Videos
Speech Topics
Redefine Possible: Lessons for Tackling Mountains in Your Personal and Professional World
Spencer invites audiences to experience the transformation that can occur when we “redefine possible.” With his trademark humor and humility, Spencer spins a spellbinding story of the challenges he faced after losing his legs from the pelvis down at age five and the journey of discovery that ultimately enabled him to summit Mount Kilimanjaro using his hands and wheelchair.
Spencer applies the insights gleaned from a lifetime of overcoming obstacles to help leaders and employees identify their own roadblocks and push past them. His inspiring message and tangible life lessons motivate business audiences to believe they can tackle any goal, whether personal or professional.
Spencer will cover:
- Key lessons he has learned throughout his life and how they can be applied both personally & professionally
- The importance of obstacles and how they are an integral part of our growth as individuals and as employees
- The importance of asking for help and why it is such an important skill for all leaders to practice and demonstrate
- How we all have the capacity to create value both at home, in our communities, and the workplace
Leveraging Talent with Disabilities (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility)
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against those with disabilities.
From climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to climbing the workforce ladder, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities can have a very positive impact on your employees and customers.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone with a disability and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities
Leveraging Disabled & 2SLGBTQ+ Talent (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Accessibility)
Join Spencer West in this thought-provoking and genuinely enlightening presentation, where he will discuss the importance of leveraging talent with disabilities as well as the queer community and how both identities are necessary in the workforce.
The life of visionary and activist Spencer West has been marked by both obstacles and triumphs. After losing both legs from the pelvis down at the age of five and coming out as gay at the age of 21, he entered a world that might have easily defeated him. Instead, he tackled challenge after challenge, learning to navigate in a world set against the queer community and those with disabilities.
From climbing the workforce ladder to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Spencer shares his insights on how bringing in talent with disabilities and the queer community can have a positive impact on your employees and clients.
Spencer will cover:
- His own journey as someone who identifies as gay and disabled and the challenges he has faced in the workforce
- What is ableism, and what does it look like?
- The myths and stereotypes that keep employers from hiring folks with disabilities and the 2SLGBTQ+ community
- Tangible takeaways that employers and businesses can implement to start leveraging talent with disabilities & the 2SLGBTQ+ community
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