Paralyzed in ’88 from a freak spinal artery collapse (leaving him a quad), Chuck Close does giant photorealism portraits and is considered one of America’s greatest contemporary artists.
From being a world-renowned artist since ’69 to rocking his guest visit on The Colbert Report in 2010, here’s everything you need to know about this brilliant man. Read this entry
In podcast 92, Tiffiny is joined by Damon Boiser, a lifelong resident of Hawaii, who was injured doing what he loves – surfing – 9 years ago.
They talk about Damon’s interesting (and sometimes tumultuous) journey to recovery on the Big Island (traveling there from Kauai).
And they discuss his discovery and love of three adrenaline-soaring sports that have helped fill the void that surfing left – skydiving, karate and Aikido.
He’s the first person to directly land in their wheelchair after a skydive in fact!
What’s more popular than iPhones, reality TV and fast food in this country? Strangely, tattoos.
Like it or revile it, everyone from old ladies to young kids to yes, people with paralysis, are getting inked (with mermaid tattoos a popular choice among paralyzed women).
Heck, my mom even has more tattoos me (believe me when I say this is very very weird). Read this entry
Check out these three IMPRESSIVE wheeler skills!
A very talented (and French) C5-6 quad who can still play the piano (including the chords!), a paraplegic magician who performs illusions using a standing chair (he’s been on Fox!) and a paraplegic who climbs ladders for fun (he’s nuts!). Read this entry
I may be too burnt out on the genre, but if you’re a fan of gushy primetime soap operas, have a soft spot in your heart for 90210 AND are interested in characters with disabilities in the media (television and movies, etc)…
…then Riley (played by Riley Smith of ’24,’ ‘Motocrosser’ and ‘Freak & Geeks’ fame) is a character you need to get hip to. Read this entry
Hair binders to hold a Wiimote, the awesome “Face Gamer” from New Hampshire gets featured in Wired and an accessible Wii Fit board invented by a crafty Canadian para. Sweet! I love accessible gaming ♥
And if you don’t know who Chuck Bittner, aka the “Face Gamer” is (he was featured in Wired magazine & is THE leading accessible gaming advocate), this is your chance to get edumacated. Read this entry
Check out our SCI Superstar this week: Judith Smith! Artistic director of one of the most successful disability non-profits in the country, AXIS Dance Company (based in Oakland, CA).
AXIS is a leading integrated dance company that’s been on (and kicked butt) on Fox’s So You Think You Can Dance? Read this entry
Dear Tiffiny,
I am a 27 year old chef and was recently involved in a motorcycle accident leaving me paralyzed from the chest down. I was really concerned that I would never date again and then in the hospital I met my current girlfriend and was really happy.
It’s been 5 months since the accident and now I am kinda realizing that I don’t know if I really like this girl at all.
A top spinal cord injury researcher, on the hunt for a cure since the 1980’s. Wise Young is one of our greatest champions. Learn all about him. Read this entry
Watch a female quad blowdry and style her own hair with zero finger movement.
Also – watch a quad wash his hair in his bathroom sink using a kitchen-style faucet installed in his bathroom and a young guy newly paralyzed, shave his head and beard with finesse. Read this entry
