There been a growing number of wheelchair-car run-in’s across the country. How to be safe, and avoid an accident you’ll never forget.This is my worst nightmare!
– Tiff
Author: Tiff
Meet Jake Sully, the wheelchair-using hero in “Avatar”
James Cameron’s new movie “Avatar” focuses on a paralyzed Marine, as he traverses an alien world in a body that allows him to walk. Where will his loyalties lie?New robotic arm will open the door for you wherever you go
Why did Texas police shoot paraplegic folk singer, Andrew Reid?
I totally feel like Nancy Drew right now, researching a shooting, the only difference is that it’s depressing; not fun. I was intruiged when I read on Google news about a Canadian folk singer and paraplegic, Andrew Reid, 37, who was shot and killed by Texas police last Friday. Police say he pulled one of their guns on an officer during an altercation.Pretty crazy…a man who can’t walk overtaking a cop’s weapon? But that’s another story for another time.
I had never heard of Reid until today, but he was apparently pretty well known in the disability community. He was the 2001 Canadian Handcycling Champion and had recorded several records (Reid was paralyzed in a surfing accident in ‘99). He was also in the band, Rehab Mama, which he describes on his site – Reid Records – as “early Cowboy Junkies” (I’m glad his site is still online, btw. Fascinating).
And if you look at his site vs. the news stories, it’s easy to get a varied image of Reid. He was not some random crazy person in a wheelchair. No, he was educated, talented, attractive, and what people thought at least, sane. Just what happened to Andrew Reid?
The previous day was when things started to go downhill. Reid was road tripping it alone from California to Austin, TX, where he was going to visit a friend. And it was in Fort Stockton, TX, a day before the shooting, where he was in a 50 kilometer police chase, which the police aren’t giving any details on and that in it of itself is weird enough (who gets into several mile police chases out of the blue?). He was quickly captured, jailed overnight and released the next day. Done deal, right? Not quite.
Upon his release, police were called to his motel. Reid was hollering in the motel parking lot. When police arrived they tried to calm him, but he grabbed one of the officers’ guns and pointed it at his stomach. That was when the other officer shot Reid twice, fatally wounding him.
Who knows what was really going on in Andrew Reid’s mind (or life for that matter) last week when this craziness ensued. All of the news stories are incredibly vague and the people who knew him say they’re shocked at his actions.
It’s hard whenever a vivacious person with a spinal cord injury, someone doing amazing things and has so much promise, meets a sudden end. It’s like I knew him. I know exactly what his paralyzed existence was like. I know how hard it was.
And for the record, pointing that gun at the cop was an incredibly stupid thing to do.
iPhone app for wheelchair-users to debut
App displays speed (mph and kph) and direction real-time, and will include an on-chair charger and “Chair Doctor.”Antidepressants used to heal spinal injuries. What’s next?
A commonly prescribed antidepressant is being used – in conjunction with gait training – to help train people with paralysis to walk again. Who knew Lexapro was this magical?
Read about this surprising use of Lexapro here.
– Tiff
Geron releases new data, shares up
Well it looks like the quads of the world are now in the running to get cured first (jokey joke, well maybe), according to the latest embryonic stem cell research data released by Geron Corp last week. Tumors in the thorasic region, but not the cervical region? How curious.
This study better end up curing someone. I hate long movies with shitty endings.
– Tiff
Should this blog be discussing Glee?
Yes, no, is it worth mentioning that a character with a disability is getting some major attention over at FOX? What say you? I haven’t gotten into the show myself. What can I say, show choir never appealed to me.
– Tiff
Make your wheelchair a weapon, and kick some butt
A new class taught in Toronto teaches self-dense skills from a seated position, and believe it or not some of them work (pretty good too).Best music video ever? YES.
Lady Gaga’s latest music video (it came out 3 days ago and has over 6 million hit already), “Bad Romance,” is pretty much the best music video ever made. It’s freaky, a bit scary, HIGH FASHION and sexy as hell. Look for the hot guys with the metal on their faces and Lady Gaga’s fabulous retro ’80s look in the red number. HAWT. I seriously can’t stop watching it.