BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A woman whose resilience and advocacy reshaped disability resources in Western New York has died. Natalie Barnhard-Castrogiovanni, founder of the Motion Project Foundation, was a nationally recognized voice who proved anything is possible despite a life-changing injury.
The Buffalo native was 24 years old and working as a physical therapist assistant when one moment changed her life forever.
“I was at work one day and a 600-pound weight machine tipped over and fell on me,” Natalie said in a previous interview with WIVB News 4. “I fell back, shattered C5 and C6 vertebrae in my neck, which completely paralyzed me. I knew right away that I was paralyzed.”…