Fletcher Cleaves

Fletcher Cleaves Speaker Biography

Fletcher Cleaves is a Memphis native whose story is full of resilience, hope, and inspiration. Following a life-altering event, he discovered a passion for public speaking and began to promote the importance of safe driving and overcoming adversity through special appearances including: College GameDay, ESPN TV, ESPN Radio, SportsCenter, Outside the Lines with Bob Ley, and a National Safety Transportation Board (NSTB) event in Washington D.C. to name a few.

Fletcher's journey began in the fall of 2009. He was a lively freshman enjoying his first semester of college on a football scholarship at Lambuth University when, suddenly, everything changed. On September 10, 2009, Fletcher was involved in a tragic car accident caused by a distracted driver, who was suspected to have been texting while driving. This event left him paralyzed from the chest down, and he was challenged with the task of starting his life over. Now, a quadriplegic, Fletcher had to relearn everything to adjust to his new circumstances.

Following the accident, he and his family endured many obstacles, including both parents losing their jobs to become his full-time caretakers. However, through all of the setbacks, Fletcher was determined to prevail. After a year of intense rehabilitation, he decided to re-enroll in school at the University of Memphis, where he attained a degree in Computer Science. His recovery helped him recognize that sharing his journey could not only motivate others but also save lives.

Everyone has a story. Some are blissful, while others are tragic. Fletcher's story is full of triumph. His desire to share his experiences in hopes that more people feel empowered to endure difficult times and continue to fight for their dreams. To many, Fletcher's accident seemed like the end of a young man’s promising future.  However, it became the prologue to his destiny.