by Tiff -

New SCI Podcast! True Wheelchair Life: SCI Life Uncovered

It’s been way too long since I’ve had a regular podcast, which is why I’m extra excited about my new SCI podcast series with SpinalCord.com! We’re calling it – True Wheelchair Life: SCI Life Uncovered. In the first episode we’re talking about stem cell tourism. Is it worth it? World you do it again? We talked to three people with paralysis – Allie Leath, Gabriel Rodreick​ and Caleb Bartlett​ – all who’ve undergone experimental stem cell procedures in various locales worldwide. We get every angle from these fine folks who decided to be the much needed guinea pigs for the rest of the SCI population. Listen now

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Holiday Cooking: Must-Read Tips

Can you believe the holidays are just days away? Here’s SPINALpedia’s newest blog post to help you get ready – Wheelchair Holiday Cooking! From putting dishes in the oven to a low-cost accessible stove idea, here’s a list to help you get cooking just in time for the holidays. Read more

by Tiff -

SCI Health Series: Paralyzed? What You Eat Matters

Read the next post in our SCI Health series: SCI & Nutrition! Eating and drinking right can transform your life, especially if you’re paralyzed. Our skin, bones, bladder health, how we feel everyday and more is all influenced by what we eat. We’ve compiled important nutrition tips for people with SCI. Check them out here

by Tiff -

SCI Health Series: SCI & Pain

Check out the fifth article in our SCI Health Series on Chronic Pain. Pain unfortunately is a common side effect of life with paralysis, whether you have neuropathic pain from nerves misfiring, or muscle/bone pain from years of wear and tear. Please read out advice on how to best manage it here

by Tiff -

Really, no need to be embarrassed for liking us

cuteI recently wrote a blog post on the bizarre subject of people feeling embarrassed for being attracted to wheelchair-users, as if it’s akin to finding a child or corpse attractive. I have been countlessly taken aback by backhanded compliments since my spinal cord injury stemming from this. Eg: “So and so found you hot, BUT he was too embarrassed to say so…to anybody.”

*Sigh* Having a SCI can be way too complicated sometimes. Read the entirety of my thoughts on this subject on Easystand – “Embarrassed for Being Attracted to a Disabled Person?”

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: Kevin Saunders

No it’s not Chuck Norris in a wheelchair, it’s Kevin Saunders; one of the greatest US wheelchair athletes of all time. The first person with a disability to serve on the President’s Council of Physical Fitness (under President George Bush), and reelected by President Clinton, Kevin Saunders has been like a phoenix since his spinal cord injury nearly 34 years ago.

And that’s not all. He went on to become a Paralympian in track and field, an all-star athlete in wheelchair racing and he even worked with Oliver Stone as a consultant on his famous film, Born on the 4th of July.

Now one of the most well-known speakers in the world, read on for Kevin Saunders’ unforgettable story. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Paraplegic flies 16,000 miles from UK to Australia

Clearly not afraid of heights, British adventurer and pilot Dave Sykes is a paraplegic you’ll never forget. Famous for his epic 16,000 mile journey in a microlight aircraft from the UK to Australia, he has taken up flying post-injury in a most fearless way.

Also an author, an active supporter of the British military and a rumored fabulous boyfriend, Dave is the latest SCI superstar we’re excited to share with our followers.

His story is all about perseverance and flight, and is sure to change the way you think about who’s in the sky overhead. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Video Evidence: Taxi Wheelchair Discrimination a Worldwide Problem

Are you familiar with this similar dreadful scenario? You use a wheelchair but you gotta get somewhere, so you park on the curb patiently waiting for a cab to stop.

But you wait, you wait and you wait some more, realizing no cabs are interested in stopping. And the reason? Your wheelchair.

All cabbies see when they see us? A lot of work. It’s blatant discrimination and it happens all around the globe, even sadly in London where nearly every cab is wheelchair accessible.

Here are three videos highlighting this serious issue. Get ready to be appalled. Read this entry