Marina Katsura: A Mother of Two in a Wheelchair Becomes a Registered Nurse, Paving an Unprecedented Path

※Information was confirmed and partially updated on February 27, 2026.

"My hobby is taking on challenges."

These are the words of Marina Katsura, a wheelchair user and mother of two.

From a young age, Marina dreamed of becoming a midwife. She was captivated by the sanctity of life when she saw a room full of newborns during her mother's delivery.

After graduating high school, she worked as a nursing assistant at a hospital while obtaining her practical nursing license. She also got married, living a seemingly smooth and fulfilling life.

However, due to childbirth, she suffered a spinal cord injury and was forced to live in a wheelchair.

Despite this experience, Marina continues to share her journey of taking on challenges.

In this article, we explore Marina's motivations and driving forces, as well as the societal issues she has identified through her challenges.

Please read on to the end.

1. Who is Marina?

1-1. Becoming a Wheelchair User Due to Childbirth

[Interviewer (Writer): Akaishi / Interviewee: Marina]

Akaishi: How did you come to suffer a spinal cord injury?

Marina: During my pregnancy, I was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension. It was a dangerous situation for both me and my baby, so we decided on a planned delivery using labor-inducing drugs.

On the day of delivery, I entered the delivery room at 7 a.m., but the baby wasn't born for a long time. Meanwhile, my blood pressure kept rising, putting me in a dangerous state, so we switched to a painless delivery.

By the time my son was safely born, it was already night.

From the delivery table to the hospital room bed, the nurses transferred me, and I fell asleep without moving my legs that day.

The next day, when I tried to move, my legs wouldn't move at all, and subsequent tests diagnosed me with a spinal cord injury.

Akaishi: How did you feel when you realized your legs wouldn't move?

Marina: I was shocked.

Initially, the doctor said it was due to nerve compression from childbirth and would heal over time.

But I wasn't really depressed about my legs not moving.

While other new moms were being discharged, I felt left behind, but I think I distracted myself by taking care of my son.

Most importantly, I was overwhelmed with love for my son, who showed me different expressions every day.

However, one day, I was suddenly told I would be transferred to another hospital in 30 minutes, separating me from my son.

At that moment, I realized how much my tiny newborn son had supported me. Being separated from him was much more painful than my legs not moving, and I cried for the first and last time in the hospital.

1-2. The Present Exists Because of Past Hardships 

Akaishi: You were hospitalized for 1 year and 2 months afterward. Why did you decide to work as a practical nurse in a wheelchair?

Marina: During those 1 year and 2 months as a patient, I gained many new insights, which I consider my strengths. I wanted to give back to patients with these insights, so I challenged myself to work as a practical nurse.

I dislike assuming I can't do something just because I'm in a wheelchair.

Of course, patient safety comes first, but I don't like ruling out possibilities before trying, so I challenged myself with all kinds of care.

As a result, I was able to perform my duties just like any able-bodied nurse. While there were physically challenging tasks like transferring patients, I could work similarly in other areas, which boosted my confidence.

Akaishi: Did you face any struggles or conflicts while working?

Marina: Yes, I did.

We wheelchair users have to make efforts that able-bodied people don't have to.

For example, commuting takes longer in a wheelchair, so I had to take trains three times earlier, and since I couldn't move quickly at work, I constantly thought about efficiency to avoid inconveniencing patients and staff.

I was frustrated by the perception of "What can a nurse in a wheelchair do?" and tried hard to prove myself, managing to perform the same duties as able-bodied colleagues, but it was really tough.

Effort is important, but a society where you have to overexert yourself feels difficult to live in.

While I find it challenging to transfer patients, I can empathize with them more than anyone else. I believe in an environment where we can complement each other's strengths, like asking for help with transfers and handling tasks other nurses find challenging.

Able-bodied people also have strengths and weaknesses. We can cover each other's weaknesses by focusing on our strengths. My experience working in a wheelchair has led me to aim for such a society.

2. What New Challenges Does Marina, Who Boldly Claims "My Hobby is Taking on Challenges!", Have in Store?

Akaishi: Is there anything you want to challenge yourself with in the future?

Marina: First, I want to become a registered nurse from a practical nurse.

To fulfill my childhood dream of becoming a midwife, I need to obtain a nursing license.

After becoming bedridden due to my legs not moving, I finally understood the feelings of the patients I had cared for. The joy of going to the bathroom and washing my hands, the burden on the body from a long-awaited bath—these are strengths I've realized because I'm a wheelchair user.

I aim to be a nurse who can provide care that empathizes with patients' hearts while having medical knowledge.

Akaishi: You suffered a disability due to childbirth. Aren't you anxious about working in a hospital?

Marina: Not at all.

It's not about me; it's solely for the patients.

Even though I became a wheelchair user due to childbirth and saw many unpleasant aspects of hospitals, I'm still captivated by life and have a strong desire to work for patients. It's truly mysterious.

Akaishi: You're currently participating in the Beauty Japan contest. What motivated you to join?

Marina: While many contests focus on external beauty, the Beauty Japan contest evaluates inner beauty, such as thoughts and visions.

One reason I decided to participate is to raise awareness that there is someone aiming to become a registered nurse from a practical nurse in a wheelchair.

In fact, there is no precedent for this in Japan. When I became a wheelchair user and applied to nursing school, I was told it would be difficult to become a nurse in a wheelchair, and I wasn't even given the chance to try. The reality is that mental barriers are not yet overcome.

That's why I believe that paving this path will lead to opening up Japan's future.

When taking on challenges, many people have reasons to give up, like being a mom, their age, or having a disability.

I am a wheelchair user, a mother of two, and aiming to become a registered nurse at 30. By sharing my journey, I want to strongly convey that anyone, in any environment, can take on challenges, which is why I decided to participate in the Beauty Japan contest.

Akaishi: You ranked first in the SNS evaluation of the Beauty Japan contest. What do you think contributed to this?

Marina: It's truly not my own doing. I could only achieve first place thanks to everyone's support.

Originally, I wasn't good at asking people for help, but during the SNS evaluation period, I kept asking many people for support. I was surprised by how many people supported me.

The SNS evaluation is based on the number of likes and reach on Instagram, but over time, each like and reach felt like love from everyone, and it was the first time I felt so overwhelmed on social media.

I think the result of running with the sole desire to give back the love I received from everyone is what led to first place.

I'm currently taking on the second evaluation, which is crowdfunding.

Reference: FIRSTSTEP | Japan's First! To a Nursing Student in a Wheelchair! Aiming for a Society Where Diverse People Can Challenge!

To convey my thoughts to as many people as possible and to pave the way for Japan's future, I would be delighted if you could take a look at the project page.

3. What Marina, a Wheelchair Mom of Two and a Challenger, Wants to Convey

Akaishi: What are your important thoughts or motivations when taking on challenges?

Marina: During my 1 year and 2 months of hospitalization, I once hovered between life and death.

While losing consciousness due to arrhythmia, I could only hear the voices flying above me. The tense voices kept coming, and I truly thought I was going to die.

"Even if I die, I want my family to live with smiles." That was the last thought I had before my memory faded.

When I woke up on the ICU bed and saw the sky through the window, I realized, "I'm alive."

This experience made me realize that there's no guarantee of being alive tomorrow, and it has become my driving force.

Akaishi: Can you tell us about the barrier-free society you aim for?

Marina: I want to aim for a society where people can have opportunities to challenge themselves when they find something they truly want to pursue.

I believe that an environment where everyone can support each other and circulate, regardless of disabilities, is the ideal barrier-free society.

To achieve this, I think it's necessary for me to become a nurse and break the fixed notions about disabilities.

I want to convey that anyone, in any situation, can challenge themselves as many times as they want.

Akaishi: Lastly, do you have a message for the readers?

Marina: It's important to take on challenges, but I also think it's okay to give up.

However, it's a waste to give up just by imagining you can't do it. By taking action, you'll surely see a new perspective, and it's okay to decide to quit based on that.

If you find something you truly want to try from the bottom of your heart, I hope you'll take a step forward without making excuses or being afraid.

4. In Conclusion

Despite suffering a disability due to childbirth, Marina dreams of becoming a healthcare professional. It's an experience that many would find traumatic and give up on.

During the interview, I felt that Marina naturally balances her personal life and her dreams. No matter how difficult her experiences, her desire to provide better care for patients remains unaffected.

Marina's journey of challenges is shared on social media, so please take a look.

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