9-20-2025 12:53pm

Harley Draven Wraythe Completes 10K Paris Pair Turning Adversity into Advocacy

Dustin Terry Editor

For more than three decades,Harley Draven Wraythe has been living with a disability that forever changed her life.

What began as a tragic accident in California has transformed into a lifelong mission of advocacy, community service, and determination. Today, in Paris, Texas, she continues to show her neighbors—and the wider world—that resilience and spirit can overcome almost anything.

A Life Changed in an Instant

Thirty-one years ago, Harley was diving into a lake in California when her life was altered in a matter of seconds. The dive left her disabled from the shoulders down, an injury that required her to re-learn how to live in a world not designed for accessibility.

The spot where she dove became notorious for its danger. Six other people were disabled near the very same area of the lake. That reality underscored how quickly life can change and how fragile physical independence can be.

Harley, however, chose to take a path of resilience. Rather than retreat, she began to speak out and to represent others who faced similar struggles.

From Survivor to Advocate

Soon after her accident, Harley’s friend Ranger Keith Willis invited her to share her story publicly. That first step into advocacy led to a lifelong role as a speaker and activist.

She has been invited to address groups such as the Wounded Warrior Project, where her testimony offered encouragement to others dealing with life-changing injuries. Over the years, she has also spoken out on father’s rights and a variety of issues that touch families and communities.

Her leadership has been recognized in significant ways. Harley received the prestigious Point of Light Award and even a personal letter from President Bill Clinton commending her dedication to advocacy. Beyond awards and letters, her creativity also gained recognition when one of her paintings was displayed in an art museum in Russia, a reminder that her talent and perspective reach far beyond Paris, Texas.

Building a Life of Community Service

In Paris, Texas, Harley has become a familiar face, not just for her story but for her hands-on service. She works directly with the City of Paris to make the community more accessible, ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the same opportunities to enjoy public spaces and participate fully in civic life.

Her involvement spans multiple committees and organizations, where she continues to press for practical solutions to long-standing barriers. Her efforts are not just about ramps, sidewalks, or seating—they are about ensuring dignity and inclusion for all residents.

A New Kind of Race

Last year, Harley took her advocacy in a new direction—by joining the Paris Pair 5K race. For her, this wasn’t about athletic competition. It was about visibility, representation, and making a statement.

“I want people to know the disabled can do just as much as abled people,” she said.

That declaration encapsulates her philosophy: disability is not inability. By showing up and participating in community events like the Paris Pair, Harley demonstrates that determination can break down barriers of perception.

This year, she is aimed even higher by entering the 10K race, doubling her distance and strengthening her message of perseverance. She completed the race and has achieved a milestone in the Paris, Texas community.

Her husband proudly added during the interview: “She has more get up and go than most abled people.”

Recognition and Legacy

Harley’s advocacy stretches beyond Paris, beyond Texas, and even beyond the United States. Her Point of Light Award places her among an extraordinary group of people who have given selflessly to improve the lives of others. Her letter from President Clinton serves as a national acknowledgment of her dedication. Her painting in Russia shows how creativity and expression transcend physical limitations.

These milestones illustrate a life of impact. But to Harley, the work is never about accolades. It is about making sure voices that are often overlooked are finally heard.

Why Her Story Matters

Living with a disability for more than three decades has given Harley insight into the challenges that others often don’t notice. A missing ramp can turn into an insurmountable wall. A lack of accessible transportation can mean exclusion from community events. These daily battles are why her advocacy matters so deeply to Paris, Texas, and why her story resonates far beyond her hometown.

Her continued push to make Paris more accessible ensures that the next generation of residents won’t have to face the same barriers.

Continuing the Fight

Harley is not slowing down. With every committee meeting, every speech, every race she enters, she continues to prove that advocacy is not about what a person cannot do—it’s about what they insist on doing anyway.

Her participation in this year’s Paris Pair 10K is a milestone, but it’s also a metaphor. Every kilometer is another reminder that resilience and spirit matter more than obstacles.

For Paris, Texas, having Harley as both a neighbor and an advocate means having someone who embodies the Texan values of grit, determination, and community service.

The story of Harley Draven Wraythe is one of transformation: from a sudden accident in a California lake to a lifetime of service and advocacy in Paris, Texas. For 31 years, she has carried her disability not as a defeat but as a platform to build awareness, push for accessibility, and remind her community that people with disabilities are equally capable of strength, creativity, and leadership.

Through her awards, her artwork, her speeches, and her service, Harley has shown that determination cannot be measured by physical ability. And through her participation in events like the Paris Pair race, she continues to demonstrate—to her community and to the world—that inclusion is not just possible, it is essential.

As her husband said: “She has more get up and go than most abled people.”

And that truth is clear in everything Harley does.