National Leadership Program, Spring 2025
Collin McSpirit
Collin McSpirit is a Leadership and Workforce Development Fellow in Disability Belongs™’ National Leadership Program for Spring 2025. Disability Belongs™ is a national nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so that people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.
McSpirit’s disability story began in January of 2022. After being in a motorcycle accident and waking up to a TBI and above knee amputation on his left side, he was inspired by his love of live music to help others in need. McSpirit is a music fanatic and has been going to concerts from a young age. In the year after his accident, McSpirit utilized a wheelchair and one day found the courage to go to a concert in person like had before his injuries. He was placed in the 4th row of the ADA section and was excited for the show to start. However, as soon as the lights went off, the band hit the stage, and people stood up and blocked his view. Despite advocating for himself to a manager of the venue, McSpirit left the experience distraught and felt like his night had been ruined.
Later during his ride home that night, McSpirit thought deeply about how his experience was likely not unique and decided to create a Facebook group called So Ready For ADA. The group is for individuals with disabilities who are live music enthusiasts, and it has become a therapeutic outlet for fans to share their good, bad, and ugly concert experiences. Two years later, the group has grown to 400 members, and McSpirit now hosts a weekly ADA venue discussion with people from all over the country. In addition to his fellowship and group leader responsibilities, he is also pursuing his associate’s degree in Psychology at Houstaonic Community College.
