Meet Jacob from Here Now Next: A Mentor in Progress

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Finding Community: Jacob’s Story

When Jacob first heard about Here Now Next, he was in the middle of a major life adjustment.

“I’ve always had muscular dystrophy,” he said. “But around 2018, it progressed to the point where I could no longer walk.”

Before that transition, Jacob had lived with an invisible disability, and he didn’t have many connections with others who used wheelchairs.

“For a long time I thought I was kind of alone in that experience,” he said.

Around four years later, while receiving treatment at Seattle Children’s Hospital, a nurse mentioned Here Now Next, a youth mentorship program connected to the Here & Now Project. Curious, Jacob decided to check out one of the meetings.

At the time, he was finishing his second year at Bates Technical College studying digital media. He wasn’t necessarily looking for mentorship.

“I was pretty independent already and good at taking care of my health,” he said. “But even then, I didn’t have all the answers. I was just figuring things out.”

Meeting others through Here Now Next changed that sense of isolation.

“You start meeting people with all kinds of life experiences,” Jacob said. “For me, it was the first time being around other wheelchair users who were navigating adulthood in their own ways.”

Seeing that range of experiences gave him a broader perspective.

“Everyone has their own challenges,” he said. “But you also see people continuing to live their lives, work toward things they care about, and support each other.”

Seeing What’s Possible

One aspect of Here Now Next that stood out to Jacob was the mentors.

“People like Kenny, Todd, and Matt were building the kind of life I wanted for myself as someone with a disability,” he said. “It was really cool to meet people doing things I aspired to do.”

They were living independently, working, and navigating adulthood in ways that felt relatable.

“It gave me confidence that it was achievable,” he said. “They weren’t just focused on medical problems or staying home bored. They were living their lives.”

The group conversations often led to practical insights as well.

“One mentor talked about a program that lets you maintain Medicaid while earning income,” Jacob said. “Stuff like that really matters when you’re trying to figure out how to build a life.”

Some of Jacob’s favorite moments happened after the meetings ended. The group would often head to a nearby restaurant together.

“It was cool seeing everyone help each other,” he said.

People in the group had varying physical abilities, which often meant they could help each other in ways someone else couldn’t.

“One person might hold the door. Someone else might struggle with moving their arms, but another person who’s paralyzed waist down could help,” Jacob said. “Everyone still had something they could do to help.”

From Pilot Cohort to the First Official Cohort

Jacob first joined Here Now Next as a mentee during the program’s second pilot cohort.

He's returning in a hybrid role as we continue to develop the program, sitting on our advisory board but also continuing to meet with this next group of peers going through the program, providing ongoing leadership as we build the the next generation of leaders from the inside out.

What He’s Working On Now

Jacob later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in arts with a minor in social entrepreneurship at The Evergreen State College. These days, he stays busy. He’s helping lead a nonprofit called Access Horizons, where he serves as president and co-founder. The organization focuses on helping people with mobility disabilities travel and experience new places.

“The first trip we’re planning is to Westport,” he said. “We’re looking for four people to join the pilot.”

Jacob is also working on a cookbook designed for people with mobility disabilities.

“Every day I make one recipe for the cookbook,” he said. “I’ve always had a passion for food and cooking.”

Outside of work and projects, he enjoys spending weekends at hardcore punk shows and concerts.

And while Here Now Next first connected him with mentors, he now values the broader relationships he’s building across the Here & Now Project community.

“HNN is youth-oriented,” he said. “But through the Here & Now Project, I’m also connecting with people who are older and have more experience, as peers.”

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What is Here Now Next?

Here Now Next (HNN) is a youth mentorship program created by the Here & Now Project for young adults navigating life with spinal cord injuries and other mobility disabilities.

Participants connect with mentors who have lived experience navigating adulthood with mobility disabilities. Together they explore topics like independence, employment, relationships, healthcare navigation, and building community.

The program launched its first official cohort in January and will open applications for the next cohort later this spring.

Interested in learning more or applying as a mentor or mentee? Visit here.

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