A TikTok and YouTube star who has built a following of hundreds of thousands by documenting life as a disabled wheelchair user has been branded a “scam artist” after footage emerged of her performing advanced gymnastics moves.
Zara Beth, known online as zeezee25, has long posted about living with Tourette syndrome, autism, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), dysautonomia and episodes of full-body paralysis. She regularly appears in a custom lightweight wheelchair, films accessibility struggles on public transport, and has previously fundraised for mobility equipment while describing days when she cannot move anything but her eyes.
Yet a compilation video circulating widely on X today juxtaposes those claims with clips of the same young woman executing a perfect backbend in a grassy field, practising gymnastics skills, and appearing perfectly mobile. In other posts she is shown being fed while lying down on “bad days,” only for the narrative to switch to energetic outdoor activity.
Critics have seized on the contrast. One widely shared post declared that her conditions “seem to come and go on a whim,” while online commenters accused her of attention-seeking, possible Munchausen syndrome, and taking resources meant for genuinely disabled people. “Her true disability: an overwhelming need for attention,” one user wrote. Others labelled the whole act “comical” and claimed it insults those with real, consistent impairments.
Beth has repeatedly explained that she is an “ambulatory” wheelchair user whose FND symptoms fluctuate dramatically. On better days she can walk, train and attend adult gymnastics classes; on worse days paralysis, weakness, fatigue or seizures force her into the chair. She has made videos specifically addressing how she manages sport alongside her conditions and insists the variability is part of the disorder.
That explanation has done little to calm the latest storm. Viewers point out that her gymnastics displays require significant strength, flexibility and coordination that appear at odds with claims of frequent full-body paralysis and chronic muscle weakness. The timing of the latest backlash coincides with renewed scrutiny of young influencers who monetise disability content on social media.
The 20-something creator, who rose to prominence sharing classroom tic attacks and later expanded into disability advocacy, has previously faced similar accusations whenever clips of her more able moments surface. Supporters argue dynamic disabilities are poorly understood and that ambulating wheelchair users are frequently disbelieved. Detractors counter that the polished, selective presentation of symptoms looks suspiciously convenient for likes, sponsorships and potential benefits.
As the video montage continues to rack up views, questions are being asked about how thoroughly such high-profile disability claims are verified and whether the taxpayer or donors should continue supporting influencers whose abilities appear so elastic.
One thing is certain: the court of public opinion has delivered a damning verdict. For many watching the gymnastics next to the wheelchair posts, Zara Beth’s ever-shifting list of conditions looks less like medical misfortune and more like a carefully curated performance.
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