Spencer West facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spencer West
West in 2011
Born	1981 (age 43–44) Rock Springs, Wyoming, U.S.
Alma mater	Westminster College
Occupation	Motivational speaker, disability advocate

Spencer West (born in 1981) is an amazing American speaker and a champion for people with disabilities. He was born with a condition that affected his legs. Spencer uses his voice and social media to inspire others. He also works to make the world fairer for people with disabilities and for the LGBTQ community.

Spencer West's Early Life

Spencer West was born in 1981 in Rock Springs, Wyoming. His parents are Tonette and Kenny West, and he has a sister named Annie.

His Health Journey

Spencer was born with a condition called sacral agenesis. This meant his spine and legs did not develop correctly. When he was three years old, doctors removed his legs below his knees. They tried using prosthetic legs, but they didn't work well for him. So, when Spencer was five, his legs were removed completely.

Spencer learned to move around using his hands and a wheelchair. Growing up, some kids were not kind to him because of his disability. But Spencer learned to be strong and overcome these challenges.

School Days

Spencer went to Rock Springs High School. He was even a cheerleader there! After high school, he studied communications at Westminster College.

Spencer West's Career and Advocacy

After college, Spencer moved to Phoenix, Arizona. He worked as a manager at a salon and spa. He also volunteered at a TV newsroom.

Helping Others Around the World

In 2008, Spencer went to Kenya with a friend. They were helping a group called Free the Children build schools. This trip really inspired Spencer. He wanted to share his own story about living as an amputee. He then became an ambassador for ME to WE, a group that helps young people make a difference.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

A friend named Craig Kielburger suggested a big challenge to Spencer. He suggested Spencer climb Mount Kilimanjaro! This is a very tall mountain in Africa. In June 2012, Spencer climbed the mountain with his friends David Johnson and Alex Meers. They raised over $500,000 for Free the Children. This money helped bring clean water to 100,000 people in East Africa.

Inspiring Audiences

Spencer West is now a well-known motivational speaker. He shares his personal story and talks about overcoming challenges. He speaks at schools and for companies, encouraging everyone to believe in themselves. In 2014, he even opened for singer Demi Lovato during her Demi World Tour after meeting her at a charity event.

Connecting on Social Media

When the COVID-19 pandemic happened, Spencer couldn't travel as much for his speaking events. He used to travel about 200 days a year! So, he started using TikTok to share his message. On TikTok, he talks about making things fair for people with disabilities. He also shares his experiences as a gay amputee.

Spencer West's Personal Life

Spencer West lives in Toronto, Canada. He applied to become a Canadian citizen after living there for four years. Because he uses his arms to move around, he sometimes gets tennis elbow. Spencer is gay and works to support disabled people within the LGBTQ community.