by Tiff -

A Lighthearted Look at the Wheelchair Stare Down

In the animal kingdom when you stare at a creature for too long, either one of two things happen – you get the crap beat out of you or whatever you’re staring at may think you’re interested. What about when you use a wheelchair?

We get stared at all the time and we’re expected to well, not think anything. Not get mad, and definitely not take it as a come on. Some wheelers hate this double standard, however many don’t care at all if they’re stared at. They are the lighthearted ones.

How do you deal with stares? Check out a few videos we’ve uncovered profiling three people with disabilities who let stares roll right off their backs. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Marcus Culvert

Marcus Culvert may not be a name you’ve you heard of before, but he’s hoping one day it will be. A natural at drag racing, Marcus has his eyes on becoming the world’s fastest paraplegic drag racer, and he needs your help to do it.

A military man in his early years, as well as an accomplished bass player and the founder and executive director of a human trafficking and domestic violence awareness foundation, Marcus’ injury has only slightly changed his life’s course.

To watch a man who can’t walk but can go 240 miles an hour on a speedway (and do it with a big smile on his face; huge), this is the story of paralyzed speed demon – Marcus Culvert. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Dr. Danielle Sheypuk

Growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dr. Danielle Sheypuk, the now self-described “Carrie Bradshaw” of women who use wheelchairs, was just like any other girl – she loved playing with her Barbie dolls and she dreamed of growing up to be a beautiful woman with a doting husband – but she was also a wheelchair-user.

At the age of 3, Danielle’s Spinal Muscular Atrophy progressed to the point where she could no longer walk, and since, she’s been a full-time wheelchair-user. Danielle is without question an expert at living life fabulously sitting down, especially when it comes to dating and sexuality.

A clinical psychologist for people with disabilities on dating and sexuality, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2012 and a model in the upcoming revamped Raw Beauty campaign by The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, read on for the truly awesome story of Dr. Danielle Sheypuk. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Robb Dunfield

In the lobby of the Blusson Spinal Cord Centre in Vancouver, Canada, you will find the largest mouth painting ever created- a beautiful 6X8 oil painting called “Visions of Possibilities” (view) – and this beautiful image of two young girls on English Beach was painted by their father and vent-dependent quadriplegic, Robb Dunfield.

Robb, a C3-5 quad from Vancouver as well, is one of Canada’s most accomplished painters. Thrown into the world of painting after a fall from a balcony when he was 19, painting is just one of his outlets. He’s also a pioneer of group homes for people with severe disabilities and a public speaker for the Rick Hansen Foundation.

A man that has been paralyzed for longer than many of us have been alive, this is the story of esteemed artist – Robb Dunfield. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Dating Advice Direct from the Source

Everyone has an opinion on dating, but not everyone has one when it comes to the wheelchair side of things. Most people, let’s be honest, don’t even think about wheelchair-users in the realm of dating, but the truth is that many of us want to date or are currently dating. We too are in need of dating advice.

Fortunately there are a handful of wheelchair-users who love doling it out. They may not be as plentiful as the Dr. Ruth’s of this world, but they’re out there and they’re recording their advice just for you; and w00t, they’ve made some amazing videos.

Straight from the heart advice coming right at ya, here are three unforgettable videos from wheelchair-users on the sticky topic of wheelchair dating. Read this post

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Dror Cohen

This former F-16 Israeli fighter pilot lived and breathed the real version of Top Gun, but instead of shunning the world for what he lost after his injury, he decided to prove to the world what he could still do instead.

From becoming the best Paralympian sailor in the world to a highly decorated motorsport driver, Dror has transformed the idea of disability in Israel.

And he’s reaching out to help others too. He helped found a charity helping Israelis access adaptive motorsports and is a motivational speaker. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Capt. Stewart McQuillan

They say the desire to be up in the great blue yonder is something you’re born with. If that’s true, then that certainly explains Captain Stewart McQuillan’s lifelong passion for aviation, the world’s first paraplegic to fly a helicopter.

A hardy veteran of the Royal Air Force, McQuillan’s father and grandfather were both pilots and he himself began flying at 11 years old, but he’s much more than just a pilot.

He’s also an electrical engineer and the brain behind a groundbreaking device that allows those with paralysis to fly a helicopter (or any other rotary device).

For a fearless story that crosses oceans and endless skies, read on to be inspired by Captain Stewart McQuillan. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Alana Nichols

If you don’t know who Alana Nichols is, you soon will. A Paralympic athlete and the first American woman to win Paralympic medals in both the Summer and Winter Paralympics, she’s ramping up to make a big powdery splash downhill skiing at the Sochi Winter Olympics this February.

Being an athlete on the court or the slopes is only half of what she does. Alana is also a motivational speaker and a two-time ESPY Award winner, speaking on the importance of adapted athletics across the country. A born and bred athlete, learn more about Alana Nichols, an amazing woman destined for even more Paralympic glory. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Tiffany Giddes

It’s not easy being fabulous and paralyzed, yet somehow Tiffany Giddes manages to pull it off.  An actress living in L.A. but a Southern girl at heart, Tiffany knows exactly what it takes to adapt to her surroundings.  She’s an actress, producer and the first person in a wheelchair to be on Sons of Anarchy.

When her injury occurred, she was like a cat too, and landed on both legs and kept moving forward.  From making skydiving a regular habit to producing and starring in her own original film, read on to learn about the amazing Tiffany Giddes, an actress determined to change how people with disabilities are portrayed in the media. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Green thumbs on wheels

When in a rut, grow stuff. That’s what I say. Growing things has been the zen-moment of humans for centuries, and when you have a spinal cord injury, there’s something even more therapeutic about growing things.

A sense of control, the peace from being enveloped by nature, all the senses are stimulated when you garden. Gotta love it.

Here are four really cool gardening videos for wheelchair-users that show how to do it right and taking care of your plants once they’ve sprouted. Read this entry