Celebrating National Mentoring Month 2025: David Miles’ Story

For people with disabilities, peer mentors can drastically shape their view of the future — revealing that life with a disability can be full of joy and fulfillment. In celebration of National Mentoring Month in 2025, we’re spotlighting the story of a Paraquad peer mentor, David Miles. 

Adapting to Life with a Disability

When David was in college, an unexpected injury changed the trajectory of his life. He experienced a C6-C7 incomplete spinal cord injury — causing paralysis in his lower body. 

As a result, he began using a wheelchair in his daily life. Though the transition was difficult, David found immense support from family members, friends and rehabilitation professionals. However, as he returned to college, David discovered that there were still some elements of life with a disability that others couldn’t understand. 

“I was the only one on my college campus using a wheelchair,” David said. “I had strong support from my friends and family, but there were some more personal issues I just wasn't comfortable talking about until I met a peer who had gone through the same thing.”

He began searching for other people with disabilities who could relate to his circumstances. Through trial and error, he eventually found peer mentors in an unexpected place. 

“For me, I finally found this connection when I started participating in adaptive sports,” David said. “I started playing and it was the first time I had actually been around other wheelchair users and discussed common issues we all face.”

Wheelchair rugby became his sport of choice for nearly 15 years. It provided an outlet to improve not only his physical health but also his mental health. David expressed that organizations like the Saint Louis Disabled Athletes Sports Association were life-saving for him, as his teammates became integral parts of his support system. 

Yet, David still couldn’t stop thinking about the scared kid he once was — if connecting with people with disabilities was beneficial for him, how could he do the same for others?

Joining Paraquad’s Peer Mentors

Through rugby, David became good friends with his teammate, Kiland Sampa. Kiland revealed he was a peer specialist at Paraquad — and needed David’s help. He knew David had extensive experience in various disability services and thought his background would make him a great addition to Paraquad’s program of peer mentors.

“I received peer mentor training years ago from the Christopher Reeve's Foundation,” David said. “Kiland knew about that, so once Paraquad started doing mentorship, he asked me.”

David experienced the impact of mentorship within one meeting. He arrived at his mentee’s hospital room for the first time and heard the words ‘I am ready to give up.’ Despite this, the sight of another person using a wheelchair calmed them down — he finally had a friend with a disability to connect with. 

“It felt great to be able to help someone because I remember times when I was in that scenario and didn't have someone to help me back when I got hurt,” David said. 

Explaining the Program 

Since that moment, David has become a mentor for multiple people with spinal cord injuries. He tailors meetings to individual needs. Some peer mentors hold their meetings in hospital rooms and others in therapy sessions — from there, they typically talk like friends for as long as they feel comfortable. 

“I try to approach it like a first date,” David said. “Once you talk to them for a couple of minutes, they'll tell you what they want to say — a lot of people are just waiting for the chance to talk to someone who is not a doctor, parent or family member.” 

David meets with his mentees weekly until they are discharged from the hospital. Each session is a chance to share experiences, address concerns and provide resources to important services, such as vocational rehabilitation. After his mentees gain the tools they need to succeed, he encourages them to stay in touch over the phone. 

“I have a lot of knowledge to give, " David said. “I want to continue improving as many lives as possible and make the transition into a new injury a little easier than it was for me.”

Beyond National Mentoring Month in 2025

Paraquad’s peer mentoring program is always searching for additional people with disabilities to become peer mentors. David emphasized that all are welcome to join, both during National Mentoring Month in 2025 and beyond. He even provided one last word of advice for people considering peer mentor training for themselves. 

“Don't be afraid if you don't have the answers,” David said. “Just know how to connect others to the answers and get them to important resources.” 

Join David and so many others in Paraquad’s Peer Mentoring program — for more information, contact Kiland Sampa at ksampa@paraquad.org.