Rachel Handler

Location: New York, NY

Challenge: Leg Amputee

Website: www.rachelahandler.com

Rachel Handler is an actor/singer/dancer and motivational speaker.

She has appeared Off-Broadway and at Carnegie Hall, and most recently she played Chunks in John Schneider’s feature film, "Smothered". Favorite roles include Snow White, Marian in "The Music Man" and Laurey in "Oklahoma!".

Rachel is an amputee and an advocate for performers with disabilities; her one-woman show, "Inspiration Whore" has been critically acclaimed for its exploration of the way society views disability.

On March 3, 2012 Rachel was hit by a car and lost her left leg below the knee. On March 2, 2013 she moved back to NYC, land of public transportation and walking.

She says "The past year has been a roller coaster. There were weeks, actually months, when I didn’t think this time would come. But now that I’m back, it feels like I never left."

"After my parents finished helping me move all my stuff back into my apartment, my dad whispered in my ear, "Just like pressing the restart button". I knew he was right, and now I’ve come to realize that being here isn’t just a restart, it's a revamp."

Rachel first moved to New York to pursue acting, singing and dancing. She still wants to be on Broadway!

But she's found herself gravitating towards learning more about young people with disabilities. "I enjoy speaking with them, discussing our challenges, and finding common ground – regardless of physical or mental disability."

Rachel has been speaking at high schools and colleges about her personal experience becoming disabled. The students she meets are a big part of the reason she has chosen to continue performing; their courage and honesty keeps me grounded because they’ve accepted their reality of life with a disability. But they also inspire me by learning to adapt and find the opportunity in adversity.

Recently, Rachel was casted as a jury forman for NBC Universal's Law and Order SVU.

Rachel says "Plans change! Life happens! So plan A didn't work out, lucky it's a big alphabet".

Rachel Handler performing an original song "I Want To Tell You"