With the 4th annual Wine on Wheels quickly approaching, we thought we’d take a look back into the history of Wine on Wheels and Wheeling Forward.
Yannick and Alex
Yannick Benjamin and Alex Elegudin met as roommates at Mount Sinai hospital, after both experiencing spinal cord injuries from car accidents. They soon became each other’s support system and saw first-hand both the struggles and blessings experienced while one recovers. “There are things that can be done after you’re paralyzed.” Yannick says. “You can still do your passion–you just have to retool it!” “You’re going to go through rejection; but the rejection is what makes you better.”
Indeed Yannick went on to pursue his dream of becoming a sommelier while Alex became a patent attorney. Meanwhile, they still remained active in their community. “Alex volunteered in the spinal cord community and would often call me [expressing concern or frustration about the needs of participants].” Knowing what perspective and care Alex and he had, Yannick suggested that they put together their own events and wine tastings to raise money to start a nonprofit “and do what we want to do!”
Wine on Wheels and Wheeling Forward
In 2012, Yannick and Alex held their first Wine on Wheels event, a unique wine tasting event with some the top
sommeliers in the city. The event was such a success that Yannick and Alex host it every year. “It’s one of those wine tastings that is for everybody!” Moreover the energy is unlike any other. “The energy is so happy. People really enjoy themselves . . . [and] this is the one place that you get all types of people and diversity in New York City. You get young, old, disabled, able-bodied in one location.”
But perhaps the best part of Wine on Wheels is how it helps Yannick and Alex’s nonprofit, Wheeling Forward, grow. Because of our events, Yannick says, Wheeling Forward has “the largest wheelchair-giving operation on the East Coast, a scholarship program, and the Axis program,” an exercise community center for people with disabilities. In addition, Wheeling Forward provides advocacy, support for people transitioning out of nursing homes, as well as an 8-week mobility program for people with spinal cord injuries.
Wine on Wheels, Wheeling Forward, and Beyond
What’s next for Wine On Wheels and Wheeling Forward? “Our goal is to branch out nationally,” Yannick says. “Our goal is to have a Wine on Wheels in Chicago in the Fall.” Wheeling Forward has helps thousands of people throughout the five boroughs. Imagine what could happen nationally?
