by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Wendy Crawford

When you look at Wendy Crawford, what do you see? A woman in a wheelchair, or something more? A former fashion model turned founder and editor of MOBILEwomen.org, Wendy has been hugely determined to change the way the media sees women with disabilities since her injury.

Above all, Wendy has refused to accept the status quo and her story is something everyone with a spinal cord injury should know. Read on to see how Wendy Crawford has fashioned herself an incredible journey in spite of a spinal cord injury. Read this entry

by Tiff -

You Are Still You

While working for my main gig nowdays at SPINALpedia.com, I came across this amazing lady is known as the Pretty Cripple. She is a beauty blogger from New York City and her style is crazy unique. I love it! I would say it’s “retro wheelchair fierce” and yes, she wins at life.

Check out her blog: Pretty Cripple

Ps. How are you doing? Have any crazy wheelchair stories to tell

– Tiffiny

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Bert Burns

While he may be the founder and CEO of one of the largest urological supply companies in the United States, Bert Burns is not your regular businessmen with a spinal cord injury. Also a Paralympian, Bert carries on a passionate sports life outside of the office.

And that’s just the start of it. Also a motivational speaker, husband and father of twins, Bert’s accident infused in him not only the survival to live, but to live fully.

To learn how he was able to do that and much more, read on for the story of Bert Burns. Read this entry

by Tiff -

The Professionals: 3 Wheelchair Athletes Who’ve Gone Pro

Adapted athletics can be a serious business; it’s not all feel-good times. For those who excel at their chosen sport, professionalism is a possibility. From wheelchair racing to bodybuilding, you can get paid to perform, and it can pay well.

Bear in mind, there aren’t thousands of adapted athletes in the world. Hundreds is more like it, which means you gotta be good – quite good – to snag a professional contract in your sport of choice.

It is more than possible however, and here are three adaptive athletes who’ve made their professional careers a reality. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Kelley Kalafatich

A born and bred explorer and river rafter who’s even worked in Hollywood, Kelley Kalafatich is one of the world’s most talented female rafters. Having been all over the world exploring rivers, her carefree life was sidelined by something she couldn’t even see.

Kelley has not only managed to move on after a permanently debilitating illness, she’s figured out she has a lot more inner strength than she ever realized; that’s right the “tough river rafter lady” with no fear.

For a peek at this incredibly inspiring woman, here is the story of SPINALpedia’s SCI Superstar this week, Kelley Kalafatich. Read this entry

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: Skydiver Jarrett Martin

In Jarrett Martin’s world, the place he loves to be the most is in the sky – free-falling at 100 miles an hour with the wind in his face. But after his injury five years ago, he feared the one thing he loved the most would no longer be possible.

Jarrett grew up in a family-run skydive business; skydiving was and still is in his blood. The notion of no longer skydiving was never something he was willing to accept, and he never had to. Within months of his injury he was back skydiving, but the AMAZING thing about Jarrett’s return isn’t just the fact that he’s back in the sky, it’s everything he’s also done and making history in the process.

Photo courtesy of Max Haim

To find out all the things Jarrett has been up to since his spinal cord injury, read this post

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Football American-Style, Take II

Last year we first blogged about the American-version of wheelchair football, and it’s been growing in popularity. There have been several new videos made on this sport over the last year too, and we’d love to share them.

Your NFL team may not have a chance this year, but wheelchair football could definitely use your support. For a look at an adapted sport that allows both manual and powerchairs on the field, read on for the latest videos from the hut-hut world of wheelchair football, and don’t forget your helmet. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Jordan Bone

Beauty comes in many forms and Jordan Bone, a C6 quad from Norfolk, UK, may be one of the best examples of this age old adage. Injured 10 years ago in a freak car accident when she was just 15, Jordan has gone on to become one of YouTube’s rising makeup vloggers, and 2014 has been her year.

From being honored by the UK’s Prime Minister for her tireless work in road safety to being interviewed by some of UK’s top makeup artists, Jordan’s fame is skyrocketing. A popular motivational speaker for the Fixers organization as well, who knows what the future holds for this dynamic lady.

To see how a woman can pull herself out of depression with just a camera, high quality makeup and an eager audience, read on for the awesome story of Jordan Bone. Read this entry