After being paralyzed in a devastating road accident nearly a decade ago, Lebanese-American social media influencer Jessica Tawil has begun walking again with the help of robotic technology — and she couldn’t contain her joy upon taking her first steps in ten years.
Jessica Tawil, a resident of New Jersey, is a well-known influencer who has lived with paralysis for the past ten years. For the first time, she has managed to stand and walk with the aid of robotic-assisted movement technology, sharing emotional videos of her experience on Instagram, which quickly went viral across social media platforms.
Following the release of her videos, people from around the world sent her messages of love, support, and prayers, expressing gratitude and happiness over her ability to stand, walk, and move independently once again.
@jesstawilI never thought I’d get to relive a moment like this again. What started as something terrifying turned out to be the experience of a lifetime. For the first time in ten years, I saw 16-year-old Jess again—so much of her still alive within me, yet shaped by everything I’ve lived through since. Different, yes—but stronger, softer, and more grateful than ever. 🤲🏼🤍
Jessica became paralyzed in 2015 at the age of 16, after a serious car accident. She had been out celebrating with friends when an argument broke out, leading to the crash that left her spinal cord severely injured.
As a result of the accident, she lost mobility from the waist down. She spent seven months hospitalized before learning to adapt to life in a wheelchair, where she has since shared her journey online.
Through social media, Jessica has spoken openly about her daily challenges — including bathing, maintaining independence, and coping with physical pain. She has over 1.3 million followers on TikTok and more than 900,000 on Instagram.
