YOUNG ADVISORS MADELINE RHODES AND ROXANNE SCHIEBERGEN TALK GLOBEROLLERS
Traveling Globerollers, Madeline Rhodes and Roxanne Schiebergen, are changing the world one stair case at a time. In an effort raise awareness about the lack of accessibility in the world these young FLOBEL Advisors roll the globe, one by choice, the other by fate. In a weekly blog the Globerollers share their reviews of wheel accessibility in hotels, restaurants, planes, trains, and automobiles. The blog is home to wheel recommendations, advice and inspiration in hopes that those readers who are on wheels will travel fearlessly. The first rule of the Globerollers Club is, “no roller gets left behind”. Schiebergen and Rhodes are born storytellers who are bound to make readers smile with every new post. Calling attention to accessibility is no easy job, but these two writers share their experiences magnificently providing us with a heart warming look into a world that many of us fail to recognize every day.
“There was nowhere to go but everywhere, so just keep on rolling under the stars” – Jack Kerouac
Roxy Schiebergen
Roxanne Schiebergen was born and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Roxanne was born a globewalker, until fate intercepted during a car accident when she was 16 months old; turning her into a globe roller. Roxanne’s mom would make her wear leg braces up to the age of 15, but Roxanne would always fight this. She loved her wheels; they made her feel invincible. When facing a hill or a long stretch of exercise, Roxanne’s mom would tell her to channel The Little Engine That Could, and they would chant together “I think I can, I think I can”. And when reaching the finish, Roxanne and her mom would exclaim, “I thought I could!” and Roxanne would be reminded that she was “strong as a bear”.Roxanne knew then that her wheels were a special part of her, and that she should be proud of them. After all, she rolled faster, smoother and cooler than all the other kids could run. And she felt especially unique when other kids would beg her to sit on a chair so they could take turns riding on her wheels. When an extra tennis wheelchair came into play, new games, such as, “wheelchair collision”, “wheelchair choo choo train” and, the non-intended, “the first wheelchair to tilt over loses” were invented. After the fun rolling years of childhood, wheelchair games were no longer considered part of the daily dose of fun.
When Roxanne moved to New York to attend NYU’s Music Theatre program, dodging people on the street and engaging in dance class in a wheelchair became more difficult and frustrating, as opposed to fun and carefree. Until Roxanne met the cool, careless and whole hearted Madeline, who not only reminded her of the Little Engine, but also embodied the fun and playful side of having wheels. After all, we roll because we want to; it’s the thing that makes us who we are. We are the Globe Rollers.
While Roxanne rolls around, she loves to sing more than anything in the world, and finds great joy in acting and writing.
Madeline Rhodes
Madeline Rhodes became a globe roller when she was three years old. Her mother told her that among her four sisters, whoever had the smallest wheels would take the least responsibility while rolling in the park. This meant if any of the sisters collided while in motion, the one with the smallest wheels would take the least blame. This is when Madeline chose rollerblades and she never looked back.Having become a globe roller at such a young age, Madeline quickly became more comfortable on wheels than on foot. She saw walking as overrated and bland. It was a struggle to take of her wheels for a nap, before she entered a classroom, or before she went into a party. The wheels became a part of her that she refused to sacrifice. As time went on, Madeline adapted to the wheels haters of the world and found blades that had detachable wheels. She was able to make a smooth, but distressing transition to wheel-less when it was required of her.
On the first day of college, Madeline sadly put her wheels in her locker and clumsily walked into her first class. She spotted Roxy, then looked down and saw the glistening rims of her wheelchair. Madeline knew that the two of them were destined to roll together and made fast moves toward friendship. Since that moment, Madeline has rolled by Roxy’s side, never apologizing for her glide. She is, and always has been, a globe roller.
Madeline grew up in New York City and has been acting and singing professionally since the age of 17 in film, television, Broadway, and this year, a national commercial. When she isn’t rolling, she enjoys writing music, filmmaking, collaging, and yoga. Ideally, she would be doing all of these wonderful things on wheels if she could.
To learn more about and follow the Globerollers visit their blog and social media pages.
