Tonya Winchester

Hi! I'm Tonya, if we haven't met, and I would love to introduce myself!To begin, I am a North Texas woman from McKinney. I am a motivational speaker, marketing professional, board member, and community volunteer—but what really drives me is people. I survived a car crash at 17 that left me paralyzed from the chest down and completely changed the trajectory of my life. It took me years to come to terms with my new normal and an experience with God to understand my life purpose in a wheelchair. Now 37, I've dedicated my life to helping others. From 2009 to 2017, I had became a speaker for 10 different local organizations, including MADD.In 2017, I learned that it was possible for me to drive again, even with paralyzed hands. Word got out and many people in our McKinney, Allen, Frisco, and Anna communities rallied around me, raising $75,000 to purchase a ramp van that I can drive. Up until this point, I never charged for a speech. If someone wanted to donate, I would let them, but making a difference was always my priority. To this day, it is difficult to get into my vehicle without tears. I officially purchased my vehicle in 2019, and ever since, I have become even more active in the community, showing up for everyone who came to support me, as best as I can. And not out of obligation, I truly am thankful to everyone for showing kindness to me. If you have teenagers in McKinney schools, it is likely that they have heard my story. I'm on the board of directors of a well-known legal establishment in the community and when I'm not working, I am serving on committees for 6 additional non-profits. I am a graduate of Leadership McKinney, an incredible program, and have been active with local elections for the past 4 or 5 years, but behind the scenes.

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