by Tiff -

Laundry From Your Wheelchair: Managing the Chore Solo

It can be tricky doing all the chores you did before you were paralyzed. Even if you’re a T12 paraplegic, there’s tough things you’ll encounter – dusting ceiling fans, wiping bathroom mirrors, vacuuming stairs; boring chores no one wants to do but must be done. And one of the toughest, doing the laundry.

People with disabilities however tend to make rather mundane things more interesting, and these videos showing some of their best laundry tricks prove.

There are loads of issues you can run into doing laundry sitting down – reaching into the washer/dryer, using stackable machines and so much more. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Scott Rains

Dr. Scott Rains may not hold a doctorate in magic, but he might as well, considering how he was able to transform his career post-injury. His doctorate is in ministry, but after some wise pondering post-injury he realized an opportunity presented itself to meld two worlds he loved – travel and the world disability community.

A true traveler in his soul, Scott has had the travel bug since his teens despite a spinal cord injury that could have easily waylaid him. And the career he’s been able to forge for himself – an international accessibility consultant – has helped millions of people worldwide. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Tatyana McFadden

They say our early years have a strong effect on who we become, and this is certainly the case for US Paralympian Tatyana McFadden. Until the age of 6, Tatyana was living in a Russian orphanage walking on her hands because there were no wheelchairs available and was known by the orphanage’s staff for her stubborn “I can do it on my own” personality.

A grim future no doubt, but her entire life changed in 1995 when her future adoptive mother Deborah McFadden, who was working for the United States government and was in Russia to disburse aid, met Tatyana while visiting her orphanage. She fell in love with her spirit, and even though she wasn’t thinking about adopting, she adopted Tatyana in hopes of giving her a true future.

Deborah was temporarily paralyzed for a year with Guillaine Barre Syndrome, so she personally understands the life of someone with a mobility disability, hence her desire to help Tatyana. To find out how Tatyana went on to become one of the most decorated wheelchair racers in the world after settling the United States, check out our post below. Read this post

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: “Hollywood Quad” Jim Troesh

Born with a truly wicked sense of humor, Jim Troesh was one of the funniest quadriplegics alive, if self-deprecating humor is your thing. Known as the “Hollywood Quad,” Jim was a C3-4 quad and is a legend till this day in Hollywood for being the first at many things in the entertainment industry as a quadriplegic.

The first quad to be a SAG member, the first quad to join the actors union and the only quad to star in a network television program in the 1980s, Jim Troesh is deserving of a Hollywood star himself. He was also an improv humorist, screenwriter, disability advocate, adventurist and a great friend to many, including several celebrities.

Read on to learn everything about Jim Troesh. He may no longer be with us physically, but what he’s left behind – leaving the door open to others in wheelchairs wanting to get into the entertainment industry – is his true legacy. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Let’s Make Some Melodious Sounds

We’ve blogged about music before here at SPINALpedia, but there are always new musicians to profile. So many of us love music and find ingenious ways to create it  after our injuries.

It can be easy to just walk away from the instrument, but don’t fall prey to such an action. Our videos below prove you don’t have to.

All it takes is to realize that it’s not going to be like it used to, and that that’s okay. You can still enjoy making music even if it’s different. You just can’t let your injury or disability take away your love of music, along with so much else.

Check out our three videos below that will certainly inspire you to try to get back into music. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Meaghan Rose Gallagher

Growing up, all Meaghan Rose Gallagher – a fashionista, comic and actress – dreamt about was becoming an actress. She even made it as far as being called back by Juilliard’s drama division, making herself standout among 400 other hopefuls. But the usual path in hitting the big time was not meant for Meaghan. A spinal cord injury would soon have other plans in store.

After her injury however, she refused to let it take her out of the arena of performing. Restructuring her career and becoming a director and comedian instead, read on for the determined and color-coordinated backstory of the flawless Meghan Rose Gallagher. Read this entry

by Tiff -

The Ever-So Important Wheelchair Bag

When you become a wheelchair user, there a TON of things you need to get in order to make your everyday wheeling as comfortable and user-friendly as possible. The right seat, the right backrest, the right everything; oh and don’t forget the right wheelchair bag. The tote, the backpack, the purse, whenever you want to call it; having this item is a must.

The able-bodied world may think the topic of a wheelchair bag couldn’t be more boring, but it you use a wheelchair on a daily basis, you know how crazy important this seemingly blah object is. It carries so many important things. Being able to access it, get one without spending a fortune, and making sure it looks pretty cool, are some of the top things you need from a bag.

For some fresh ways to look at the wheelchair bag, from DIY to a clever way to get your bag out from behind you, check out three of some of our best wheelchair bag videos. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: David Constantine

It’s not always easy looking outside yourself. It’s challenge for every human. And when you have a disability, it can be even easier being consumed by your own issues, but none of that stopped David Constantine, MBE (short for “Most Excellent Order of the British Empire don’t ya know).

One of the co-founders of Motivation, he helps run an award-winning charity that creates and donates low-costs wheelchairs to developing countries. And Motivation is no small charity. In 2012 alone, they donated over 26,000 wheelchairs.

Read on to learn more about this fascinating Aussie-Brit quadriplegic who’s dedicated his life to helping others just like him, but are in greater need. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Drifting – Turning Lemons Into Awesomeness

Made popular by The Fast and the Furious movies, drifting is the art of your car’s back wheels gliding after gaining momentum. This is done by turning to the side real fast, and it can be pretty awesome to see.

Not surprisingly, wheelchair-users are getting in on the drifting action (it was only a matter of time).

Drifting however is all about surfaces. From blacktop and tile to natural surfaces like ice, how well you drift (and impress everyone around you) is dependent on it. The “vehicle” as well is just as important.

Powerchairs are the  easiest to drift, however I have seen manual chairs drift on ice. Check out our three sweet wheelchair drifting videos below showing how it’s done on all surfaces. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Kristin Duquette

Long before American Paralympian Kristin Duquette became disabled, when she was 6 years old she had a dream – to one day become an Olympic swimmer. Growing up near the ocean in East Hartford, Connecticut, Kristin loved to swim, but her dream was in danger when she was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at age 9.

Kristin however refused to look at her diagnosis as the nail in the coffin to her swimming career. Despite doctors telling her to not swim to preserve her muscle strength (she was diagnosed with a form of Muscular Dystrophy that is progressive), she went back into swimming and shocked everyone by showing it’s possible you can get a stronger through training even with progressive muscular dystrophy.

Read on for Kristin’s some awesome story of perseverance, athleticism and her new passion that was ignited while studying at Trinity college – her commitment to making disability rights a true human rights issue. Read this entry