Marina Katsura | Becoming a Registered Nurse as a Wheelchair Mom of Two! - Paving the Way Without Precedent, What Only I Can Share

*Information was verified 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 childbirth.

After graduating high school, she worked as a nursing assistant at a hospital, obtained her practical nursing license, and got married, living a seemingly perfect life.

However, she suffered a spinal cord injury during childbirth, which led to her becoming a wheelchair user.

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

In this article, we explore Marina's motivations and the social issues she has identified through her challenges.

Be sure to read until the end.

1. Who is Marina?

1-1. Becoming a Wheelchair User After Childbirth

[Interviewer: Akaishi / Interviewee: Marina]

Akaishi: Can you tell us how you ended up with a spinal cord injury?

Marina: After becoming pregnant, I was diagnosed with pregnancy-induced hypertension, which put both my baby and me at risk. As a result, we decided on a planned delivery using labor-inducing medication.

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 danger, so we switched to a painless delivery.

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

I was transferred from the delivery table to the hospital bed by the nurses, and I fell asleep without moving my legs that day.

The reality hit the next day. When I tried to move in the morning, my legs wouldn't budge, and subsequent tests confirmed a spinal cord injury.

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

Marina: It was shocking.

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

However, I wasn't really depressed about not being able to move my legs.

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

More than anything, I was overwhelmed with love for my son, who showed me different expressions every day.

But 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 been supporting me. Being separated from him was far more painful than losing the ability to move my legs, and I cried for the first time in the hospital.

That was the first and last time I cried.

1-2. Past Hardships Shape the Present

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

Marina: During those 14 months as a patient, I gained many new insights, which I consider my strengths. I wanted to give back to patients by applying 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 is a priority, but I don't like deciding I can't do something before trying, so I attempted all kinds of care.

As it turned out, I could perform my duties just like any other nurse. While there were physical challenges, like transferring patients, I could handle everything else, which boosted my confidence.

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

Marina: Yes, I did.

As wheelchair users, we have to make efforts that able-bodied people don't.

For example, commuting takes longer, so I had to catch trains three times earlier than usual. At work, I had to constantly think about efficiency to avoid inconveniencing patients and staff.

It was frustrating to think people might doubt what a wheelchair-bound nurse could do. I pushed myself to keep up with able-bodied colleagues, but it was really tough.

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

While I find it difficult to transfer patients, I can empathize with them more than anyone else. I believe in a work environment where we complement each other's strengths, with me handling tasks others struggle with and vice versa.

Even able-bodied people have strengths and weaknesses. By leveraging our strengths to cover each other's weaknesses, we can create a better society. My experience working in a wheelchair has led me to this vision.

2. Marina's New Challenge: "My Hobby is Taking on Challenges!"

Akaishi: What challenges do you want to take on 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 losing the ability to move my legs and experiencing life bedridden, I finally understood the feelings of the patients I had cared for. The joy of washing my hands after using the bathroom, the physical strain of taking a bath after a long time—these are strengths I've gained as a wheelchair user.

I aim to be a nurse who can provide care with both medical knowledge and empathy for patients.

Akaishi: You suffered a disability due to childbirth, but do you have any concerns about working in a hospital?

Marina: Not at all.

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

Even though becoming a wheelchair user exposed me to the unpleasant aspects of hospitals, I'm still captivated by life and have a strong desire to work for patients. It's truly fascinating.

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

Marina: While many contests focus on external beauty, the Beauty Japan contest emphasizes 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 nurse from a practical nurse in a wheelchair.

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

That's why I believe that by paving this path, I can contribute to Japan's future.

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

I'm a wheelchair user, a mother of two, and I'm aiming to become a registered nurse at 30. By sharing my journey, I want to strongly convey that anyone can take on challenges, regardless of their circumstances, 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 success?

Marina: It wasn't my own doing. I owe my first-place ranking entirely to everyone's support.

I'm not naturally good at asking for help, but during the SNS evaluation period, I continuously asked for support from many people. I was surprised by the overwhelming support I received.

The SNS evaluation was based on the number of likes and reach on Instagram. Over time, each like and reach felt like love from everyone, and it was the first time I felt so emotionally moved by SNS.

I think the result of ranking first was because I ran with the sole intention of returning the love I received from everyone with results.

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

Reference: FIRSTSTEP | Japan's First! Towards a Society Where Diverse People Can Take on Challenges!

I would be delighted if you could visit the project page to help spread my message to as many people as possible and pave the way for Japan's future.

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

Akaishi: What motivates you, and what do you value when taking on challenges?

Marina: During my 14-month hospitalization, I once hovered between life and death.

While experiencing arrhythmia and losing consciousness, I could hear voices above me. The tense voices made me think I was really going to die.

"Even if I die, I want my family to live happily," was my last thought before losing consciousness.

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

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

Akaishi: Can you share your vision for a barrier-free society?

Marina: I aim for a society where everyone has the opportunity to pursue their true passions.

Regardless of disabilities, I believe an ideal barrier-free society is one where everyone supports each other and creates a cycle of mutual assistance.

To achieve this, I think it's essential for me to become a nurse and break the stereotypes surrounding disabilities.

I want to convey that anyone can take on challenges, in any situation, as many times as they want.

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

Marina: While taking on challenges is important, I believe it's okay to give up.

However, it's a waste to decide you can't do something based solely on imagination. By taking action, you'll surely see new perspectives, and I think it's fine to decide to quit based on that.

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

4. In Conclusion

Despite acquiring a disability from childbirth, Marina dreams of becoming a healthcare professional. For many, such an experience would be traumatic and lead to giving up.

During the interview, I felt that she naturally balances her personal experiences with her professional aspirations. No matter how tough her experiences are, her desire to provide better care for patients remains unaffected.

Marina shares her journey on social media, so be sure to check it out.

View this post on Instagram

Post shared by Wheelchair Nurse & Wheelchair Mom of Two, Marina Katsura (@wheelchair.ns.mama)

At Ayumi, we introduce various challengers. Please check out other articles here.