Reveca, 13, the oldest of the four kids, tried to get up and help her family but she couldn’t move. Everyone else was okay but she had a fractured spine. She was paralyzed.

After months of rehabilitation, Reveca returned to high school. She didn’t let her injury stop her from going after her dreams. After graduation, she attended college and received a fashion degree.

In 2009, Reveca left her career in fashion design to address a need. She started Backbones, a Chicago-based nonprofit that connects thousands of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and their families with others to learn, teach and share experiences. The organization also raises awareness about life in a wheelchair.

“I realized the importance of a strong support system after I connected with other people with similar injuries,” Reveca shared. “Those relationships can grow your confidence and motivation; they did for me. And I want others to have that experience through Backbones.”

Reveca took a chance, rejected the status quo and followed her heart. Now her life reflects her passion for helping and empowering others. She is a Dream Achiever.

A quadriplegic since 13, Torres knows how to adapt to what life throws at her. Torres, 35, is the founder of Backbones, a Chicago nonprofit that connects individuals with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) and their families with others to learn, teach and share experiences. Torres was honored on the Together stage in Chicago for her dedication and hard work today.

In 2009, Torres left her career path in fashion design and took a chance to make her passion for helping others come true. She started an organization that helps thousands of individuals with SCI/D and raises awareness about what life in a wheelchair is really like. Because of her accomplishments and perseverance, Torres is Chicago’s “Dream Achiever.”

“A ‘Dream Achiever’ is a woman who rejected the status quo and refocused her life to reflect her passion,” shared Michelle Hare from State Farm Marketing. “She is a woman who takes chances, follows her heart and believes in empowering others.”

Together is a six-city tour convening women across generations and backgrounds for evenings filled with storytelling focused on creating community, well-being, purpose and action. State Farm is a primary sponsor of the tour and will honor a Dream Achiever in each city.

“The Together tour is about bringing women together to celebrate love, build community and take action. Through storytelling, Together aims to help people feel less alone in their lives,” said Jennifer Rudolph Walsh, who leads WME’s Literary Division and is producing the tour. “Our work with State Farm to honor Dream Achievers is the ultimate culmination of the Together mission. Reveca is inspiring and courageous -- a true example of what it means to live in your purpose and follow your dreams.”

More than 2,000 women gathered at the Keller Auditorium for friendship, empowerment, and action. Core speakers included Glennon Doyle Melton, Seane Corn, Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Valarie Kaur, with celebrity guest appearances from Abby Wambach and Geena Rocero.

“Together is a movement bringing new ideas, influencers, and organizations together,” shared Hare. “Reveca is the epitome of a Dream Achiever. She personifies what we hope for all the women attending the Together tour.”

Torres had misgivings about starting the nonprofit, at first. As an artist, she worried she might lose her creativity. Turns out following her passion and starting the organization may be the most creative and important thing she’s done yet.