Active
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Everybody wants to be a rockstar
We’ve all had fantasies of going up on stage and rocking out like there‘s no tomorrow. And these guys – two quadriplegics and one paraplegic – all have one thing in common: They’re real bonafide rockers. So many of us try NOT to get noticed after becoming paralyzed, and what I love about these three dudes is that they may be paralyzed, but they definitely don’t get stage fright. The first video is of a band in St. Petersburg, Florida called (get ready for it), the Rock-n-Chair band. I know, a bit cringe-worthy name, but…read this entry
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SCI Superstar: Chris Waddell
The most decorated male Paralympian mono-skiier of all-time, one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1998, and Chris just scaled Mt. Kilamajaro using a four-wheeled hand crank device you gotta see to believe. Read this entry
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Mundane chores now have a whole new meaning
It’s Fall. No one expects the guy in the wheelchair to get down and dirty when it comes to raking leaves, or cutting down trees in the forest using a chainsaw (omg). But these two guys show anything is possible. No fear baby! Read this entry
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Really, wheelchair ultimate fighting?
Wheelchair ultimate fighting is the next hot sport for wheelers wanting to let off a little steam (and beat the crap out of another person in a wheelchair). Read this entry
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Getting wet…gracefully
4 awesome pool videos for wheelchair-users! The first video shows a super buff 48 yr old C6 quad uses a lap pool (by himself). Video #2 video shows a much more dignified pool lift made just for the Paralympics (so cool!) Video #3 is three sexy quads goofing off in the pool with floaties, and video #4, why no other than Mia of Push Girls. Watch her try swimming for the first time in YEARS. Watch these videos
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The only paraplegic pro-surfer in the world
At the beach or the skate park – this is where you would’ve found Christiaan Bailey (who’s on the cover of this month‘s Sports ‘n Spokes magazine), an always-on-the-go pro surfer before his injury. What’s awesome about this SCI superstar is that this is where you can still find him. A L3-L4 fracture while filming a skateboarding video in 2006 is how Christiaan became paralyzed, but he’s refused to let it stop him from doing what he loves. Within weeks, Christiaan was already sketching surf board designs for paraplegics from his hospital bed. Read this entry
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Back-to-school fierceness
It’s back to school time, people, and that means wheelchair-users everywhere are rolling into classrooms (and pushing desks out of their way). Oh man, I remember my first day of college orientation as a quad. Talk about the Scariest. Day. Ever. But I soon found out, just like these wise people below, I was freaking out over nothing and realized after a few short months that college was going to be more than ok (and utterly awesome in fact). The first video is of Carrie, a quadriplegic (injured in 2003). She shares what it was like to go back to college at Depaul university. In her video (created by Facingdisability.com),…
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A great SCI-worthy donation
And this is a big one, folks. September is – woo hoo! – Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. What does this whole “awareness month” message mean? Lots of things…talking about what is a spinal cord injury, sharing spinal cord injury prevention tips and bringing up important issues facing people with spinal cord injuries. This is actually where my heart lies. No one can cure us, but we can be in control of our lives by improving day-to-day issues, like having people who understand and all the information you need so you can live an amazing, healthy and independent life. HUGE stuff. That is why I am a major fan of BACKBONES. They’re a great non-profit dedicated to improving all of…
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Did you know that September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness (SCI) Month?
A few months ago I had the pleasure of recording a podcast with Reveca Torres (listen here). Reveca is a C5 quadriplegic who was injured in a car accident while on vacation at the age of 13. In 2009, Reveca founded BACKBONES. BACKBONES exists to provide one-on-one support for individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) and their families. They’re making connections to others with a similar injury and interests via telephone, in-person, or web to encourage sharing of experiences and ideas. BACKBONES also hosts fun, dynamic events that get people with and without SCI together for support, education, awareness and a good time! For example they have held fashion…
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Podcast 89: Judith Smith – Artistic Director of AXIS Dance
In podcast 89, Tiffiny is joined by Judith Smith, the artistic director of AXIS Dance Company. She is a C6 quad from a car accident in 1977 and moved on to a life of dance after her injury, much to her own surprise (she was into horse riding growing up, definitely not dance). They discuss her journey, discovering the healing aspects of integrated dance, how AXIS was founded…
