Meet Emeka Nnaka
When Emeka first appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018, he recounted his inspirational story of overcoming a spinal cord injury sustained during an on-field collision in a semi-pro football game that left him paralyzed from the chest down. In the decade since the injury, Emeka has chosen a path to help others overcome adversity, both in his career as a counselor and mentor at Youth Services of Tulsa, and as a volunteer for many community organizations, including the Tulsa Area United Way and The Center for Individuals with Physical Challenges.
After relaying his story, host Ellen DeGeneres dubbed him “Amazing Emeka” and asked about his then-recent struggles. He had hit a curb with his van, which caused extensive damage. His father – Emeka’s primary caregiver – had broken his ankle and was himself in a wheelchair. And to top it all off, his apartment complex had caught fire, destroying Emeka’s home.
The story caught the attention of people across the country, including those in the city where Emeka lives. One of those was Tulsa Habitat for Humanity (THFH) CEO Cameron Walker.
The Adaptive Home
Upon learning about Emeka’s need for a safe, affordable and accessible home during his appearance on Ellen, Walker directed THFH’s client services team to reach out to discuss home ownership through THFH with Emeka. Emeka quickly applied to and was accepted into the program and immediately began attending classes.
In late November – over a year after his apartment burned – Walker presented him the keys to his new home, built by armies of volunteers, including those from home sponsors ONEOK and ONE Gas.
The 1,815-square-foot home is a blend of farmhouse and craftsman styles with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a two-car garage. Nestled in the historical Kendall-Whittier neighborhood, the location gives Emeka easy access to downtown, his workplace and The Center, where he volunteers and works out.
The home was designed to suit Emeka’s specific physical needs. Doorways, hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms were built wide enough to accommodate his wheelchair. The home is a single level with an extra-wide garage for easy vehicle access. The Gathering Place installed lowmaintenance landscaping. Cox Homelife provided smart home and security technology to make the home fully automated.
“This is a special build that really brought a lot of the community together,” says Walker. “We wanted to make sure it will serve his needs for years to come.”
The home provides Emeka a level of independence that he hasn’t had since his accident. “What people don’t understand when you’re relying on other people from a physical standpoint, is that even having a little bit of autonomy is everything,” he says. “I still remember when I was able to wash my face for the first time myself, what a big feeling that was. Getting my car and driving was a huge thing. When it comes to my living quarters, being able to come and go as I please is huge."
Doing for Others
Emeka works at Youth Services of Tulsa (YST), interacting with homeless and at-risk youth to provide counseling and relationship-building skills. YST Executive Director David Grewe says that Emeka has the ability to make an immediate connection with the kids there.
“These kids come in with trauma and instability and he reaches out, empathizes with their struggles and inspires them to really work toward achieving their potential,” Grewe says. “He brings such a positive presence and inspirational story, and that really pays off for these young people.”
Sonia Brown-Bess, shelter coordinator at Youth Services of Tulsa, recalls a particularly powerful connection Emeka had with a 15-year-old girl that came to YST. The child had been diagnosed with juvenile diabetes, yet refused to take her medication; she was at the end of her rope.
“She thought her mother didn’t understand,” Brown-Bess recalls. “But Emeka used his own story. He said, ‘I get what you’re saying, and nobody can tell you how you feel.’”
Emeka relayed his story of his injury, the aftermath and the challenges he overcame.
“He said to her, ‘If someone were to ask me if I could, would I want to rewind time? I would say no, because this has worked for me, and that’s what you can extract. How can it work for you? How can you use your struggle to benefit other people?,’” Brown-Bess adds. “Emeka has impacted so many lives with his compassion, grace, love, understanding. He sees good in every person.”
In addition to his work with YST, Emeka serves as a member ambassador and mentor to other Center members. He oversees and coordinates the spinal cord support group, which provides resources and a peer mentor system for those living with paralysis from spinal cord injuries. He also provides praise, encouragement and advice to his fellow Center members. “His smile alone can bring someone tremendous joy, but when you carry on a conversation with him, you realize there is a level of care and concern, a sense of wanting to help you, a desire to bring hope and joy to someone’s life,” says Lori Long, executive director of The Center. “Emeka has the ability to make you feel like you are the only one who matters to him. To see the community rally support around him over the past year and now to engage with Tulsa Habitat in this home build is incredibly touching and meaningful.”
Though Tulsa is not his hometown, Emeka says the city has become very important to his life and recovery. His work to help others is a reflection of the love he has for Tulsa and its residents.
“I’ve developed a love story with this city, dating back to my accident and the outpouring of love after my accident,” he says. “When I was trying to find out what I was going to do with my life, some of the agencies that were able to be there for me, that is what pushed me into public service.
“People have given so much to me that I want to give back. It just feels like the right way.”
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