by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Peter Soby Jr.

One look at Peter Soby, a 47 year old C5-6 quad, and you can just tell he is someone special. Forget the wheelchair; you feel it the moment you look at him. A writer, producer, director, entrepreneur and motivational speaker rolled into one, he has done it all since graduating from college with his degree in speech communications.

And he hasn’t let his spinal cord injury prevent him from tackling this very image-conscious world. His whirlwind story may include a spinal cord injury but he’s followed his creative drive. For a taste of this life adventurer living in sunny California, read on for the unforgettable story of Peter Soby. Read more

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Rob Wudlick

Even though he’s only 30 years old, Rob Wudlick’s journey since his spinal cord injury has been one-of-the kind. A fresh SCI research advocate, newly injured people like Rob are refusing to accept spinal cord injuries as permanent, and what they’re doing to help the SCI community is helping in big ways.

Other than working out since his injury using activity-based therapy (and being one of the most positive guys in the gym), he’s a founding member and Chairman of the Board for a nonprofit dedicated to curing spinal cord injury, Get Up Stand Up (GUSU), and is busy hitting the pavement at Capitol Hill (in his home state or in DC) whenever he can. Read on for a snapshot into the life of an unexpected advocate. Read the rest

by Tiff -

Working 2 Walk 2015: We Came, We Saw and We Left with Hope

For the last 10 years a great event to further spinal cord injury (SCI) SCI research has been happening: The Working 2 Walk (W2W) Symposium – a 2-day event sponsored by the United2Fight Paralysis Association; and Spinalpedia was there!

We met so many impressive advocates with paralysis and heard the latest on several promising research programs, it would’ve been impossible to leave without hope. Please enjoy our W2W 2015 review. Read for more

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Stop Proposed Cuts to Medicare/Medicaid Before Jan. 1st, 2016!

Do you use a wheelchair and are on Medicare or Medicaid? Coming January 1st, 2016 a major change is looming and WILL affect how often you can receive repairs on your wheelchair (as well as any other complex medical equipment you own).

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have announced they will apply Competitive Bid Pricing (CBP) to Complex Rehab wheelchair accessories starting next year. This violates the true intent of past Congressional legislation and would inappropriately reduce payment rates for 171 product codes from 20% to over 40%.

Bill H.R. 3229, proposed by Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY) will stop this by providing a technical correction to clarify that that Medicare competitive bidding pricing to accessories cannot be applied to complex rehab wheelchairs.

To make this bill a reality and to stop the proposed cuts, please EMAIL and CALL your House Representative to get them to support the bill. To learn how to do this successfully, visit this link: http://cqrcengage.com/access2crt/HR3229

by Tiff -

Fashion Student Heidi McKenzie Becomes Paraplegic, Returns to Industry

The latest wheelchair fashion designer to throw her hat into the ring, Heidi McKenzie is unlike any other wheelchair designer of there. A paraplegic since her early twenties, Heidi has owned being a woman with a spinal cord injury, competing in Ms. Wheelchair America and now her latest venture – becoming a business woman -since her injury.

But her latest venture, creating customized wheelchair clothing, is what has launched her into fame this past year. From appearing on local media to being profiled on some of the biggest websites online, Heidi’s grand “coming out” last year with her brand (which included a successful Kickstarter campaign) has been phenomenal. Read more

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Henry Fraser

Some could say that 2015 has been a banner year for Henry Fraser. Injured in 2009, Henry has come a long way since becoming paralyzed from the shoulders down. Now 23, this former rugby player discovered painting – watercolor painting to be specific – and has skyrocketed to fame thanks to his paintings of famous athletes.

But mouth painting isn’t everything he does, although his 31 thousand and counting followers on Twitter might have a thing or two to say about that. Also a rising inspirational speaker, Henry has turned his injury into something much bigger than himself. Continue reading…

by Tiff -

Thank Goddess for ‘Another Period’

Ever since getting DVR thanks to my loser ex-boyfriend, I’ve been discovering shows that randomly look not-so-bad, and holy crap am I so glad I added Another Period to my list of recorded shows.

I always knew Natasha Leggero was brilliant ever since her glory days on Reno 911 when she played the pants-less prostitute “Bunny apHenandez,” but as a fan of Downtown Abbey and silently hating the “upstairs world,” this show has been like a cathartic kick in the butt.

The inhumane adventures of Lillian Schmemmerhorn-Fish, her terrible siblings (w/ Rikki Lindholm as her dumb as rocks sister “Beatrice”) her mother and the random sighting of their father are stunningly good. I wasn’t so sure about the show after the first episode, but the pure brilliantness and audacity of the humor (think Blazing Saddles) have won my heart. From the hysterical slo-mo of Natasha/Lillian getting dumped on “Rejects Beach” to the ridiculous “Doggie dinner party” episode, I can’t get enough.

apmenMichael Ian black as “Mr. Peepers” also deserves a shout out. He is probably my favorite male cast member, with “Garfield” (the fired underbutler) played by Armen Weitzman an incredibly close the second. Any scene with these two interacting makes my eyes water. Armen, you are good. And Thomas Lennon, Jack Black and Ben Stiller’s random character appearances (Thomas’ moreso) are worth noting.

And I’m SO happy to hear that this show has been picked up for a second season. Comedy Central, you did right. This type of humor sometimes falls on deaf ears, especially with American audiences, but thank god this show will be continuing.  I can’t wait to see the terrible things the Bellacourts get up to in Season 2, which will be like in a month. <g>

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by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Priscilla Hedlin

After our injuries we’re all worried about different things – going back to school, doing things you love again, providing for your family and for many women with spinal cord injuries – will I be able to have children? The answer is a resounding yes, as the renowned Wheelchair Mommy blogger exemplifies.

Priscilla Hedlin is one of the most well-known bloggers for mothers with spinal cord injuries. Priscilla began sharing her story shortly after it happened by starting a Geocities website. She’s officially been blogging on WP in 2008 and her blog covers every aspect of parenting with a spinal cord injury. The depth of information she covers is some of the best out there.

If you’re newly injured and worried about parenting, you can’t get better than The Wheelchair Mommy. Read her journey, from her injury to how she became a blogger, here.

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Andy Hensel

“It’s not too bad, it’s just different.” This is how Andy Hensel from Port Pirie, Australia, one of the world’s most accomplished paraplegic motocross racers, now describes what riding is like. A former top 20 freestyle motocross racer, he’s now making records as a paraplegic, discovering the far reaches of what is still possible as a paralyzed motocross racer.

Injured only a few years ago, this 20-something had already had a difficult past. He went to jail for drug charges for 1 year in his late teens. But after his injury, he knew he had to stay on-track. And within a year, he had already figured out how to return to motocross.

Some might think he’s crazy for returning, but that’s why he’s a SCI Superstar in our book. Andy refuses to let his injury win. Read more

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SCI Superstar: Mary-Jo Fetterly

“If you can breath, you can do yoga.” This is one of the awesome quotes Mary-Jo Fetterly likes to share when she’s teaching yoga. A yoga teacher for over 20 years and an adaptive yoga teach for nearly 10, Mary-Jo, of Vancouver, Canada, came upon the world of spinal cord injuries from a skiing accident 10 years ago.

Since her accident, she’s decided to look at her injury as a project in healing, something her background in natural therapeutics could potentially heal. Initially a C4-6 ASI A complete spinal cord injury, Mary-Jo’s techniques have helped her regain use of her arms and even her hands, when doctors were sure it was impossible. Read on for her incredible story