Schuyler Arakawa, crowned Ms. Wheelchair Florida 2025, is a force of inspiration and positivity whose influence bridges the able-bodied and disabled communities alike. It’s no surprise that “happiness” is literally her middle name—Sachi, in Japanese, means happiness—and Schuyler embodies it in everything she does.

In 2016, while on a fellowship from Yale in South America, Schuyler sustained injuries that were believed to be unsurvivable when a boulder struck her. Miraculously defying medical precedent, she survived, but the accident left her with life-altering challenges, including a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), no peripheral vision, blurred double vision, a noticeable speech disability, and virtually no sense of balance. Though her world changed forever, Schuyler’s love of life and determination to make an impact only grew stronger.

Before her accident, Schuyler’s adventurous spirit and passion for connection already set her apart. Her love for life was so inspiring that her high school, Berkeley Preparatory School in Tampa, awarded her their first-ever “Joie de Vivre” award, celebrating the profound impact of her joyous and uplifting spirit. 

By the age of 22, she had visited five continents, teaching English in Nepal and Tanzania, helping build a school in Peru, and leading global advocacy efforts with Net Impact. At Yale, she founded the university’s chapter of Net Impact, leading it to earn Global Chapter of the Year recognition within three years. Schuyler also organized a Color Run fundraiser for Kiva, launched Yale’s Hult Prize competition, and attended the Clinton Global Initiative. Her travels spanned the globe, taking her into local communities in countries ranging from Ecuador to Spain to Croatia and more. 

Since her accident, Schuyler has had to come to terms with the reality that her vision disability, combined with her balance issues, makes it unsafe for her to do many things independently. As she navigates life with these challenges, she and her mom have become fondly known as the "dynamic duo Team Schuyler” and it’s not uncommon to see her mom “scooter surfing” with Schuyler on her motorized wheelchair as they zoom down a busy hall at one of their events. 

Together, they have flourished. To their many fans who have followed their story through the years, they are seen as ultimate embodiment of a dream team, discovering that teamwork and collaboration are the secret sauce to achieving even the biggest dreams. This experience has deepened Schuyler’s own belief in the power of connection—not just as a tool for overcoming challenges, but as the heart of meaningful success and joy.

And of course, connection requires that everyone have the power (or the technology) to communicate. Schuyler’s personal journey has fueled her advocacy for creating technologies and communities that empower everyone—abled or disabled—to share their unique genius with the world.

Together with her mom, Schuyler shares her Joie de Vivre message with thousands across the globe through their popular Facebook page, Schuy Is the Limit, and on stages for corporations and events. Her resilience, charm, and ability to connect with people have earned her accolades, including the Berkeley Preparatory School’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award.

When Schuyler isn’t inspiring audiences or building bridges between communities, you can find her exploring Tampa Bay’s vegan food scene, attending one of her many book clubs, or lighting up a room with her infectious laugh. Whether on a stage or in a quiet conversation, Schuyler exemplifies the power of positivity, communication, and human connection. Spend just one minute with her, and you’ll understand why this incredible dynamo lives up to her middle name: happiness.