by Tiff -

Doing the Amazing: Wheelchair Crowd Surfing

For a lot of people who use wheelchairs, one of their favorite pastimes is going to concerts.  It’s something you can still do whether you’re standing or sitting.  As long as your ears work, heck even if they don’t, concerts can be one of those universally accessible things that is fun for everybody.

What I love most about concerts is that as a wheelchair-user, you’re not getting a pared down version of the experience or anything like that, which is so often the case. It’s a harsh fact of life we kind of get used to, but not with concerts.

We’ve uncovered three sweet videos of wheelchair-users enjoying concerts to the hilt.  Check out some wheelchair crowd surfing, and another musical gem you’ll never forget below. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Samanta Bullock

Brazil is home to some of the world’s most beautiful women, and you can count Samanta Bullock as one of them. Born Samanta Almeida 34 years ago, Samanta Bullock grew up modeling and playing tennis. Being taller than girls her age, she was invited to try all kinds of awesome things.

But her world of youth and perfection got an abrupt wake-up call when at the age of 14, she became a T12-L1 paraplegic in an accidental shooting. Determined to not let her injury cast a shadow on her hopes and dreams, and definitely not put a damper on her bubbly fun Brazilian personality, Samanta Bullock has gone on to prove everyone wrong, returning to both of her life passions, and smiling every minute of it. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Lex Frieden

When it comes to one of the brightest SCI Superstars we could profile, you can’t get more significant or note-worthy – heck this guy will have a chapter on him in history books one day – than Lex Frieden.

One of the architects of the ADA and a big time policy-maker, Lex Frieden is dedicated to helping people with SCI and other disabilities live as independently as possible. A college professor, husband and a dog-lover too, read on to learn about one of the most important figures in American disability history. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Retro and Awesome Wheelchair Exercise Videos

Getting in shape and staying that way is one of the hardest things to do when you can’t walk. Diet modification can only do so much. We can try…eating low-cal foods, swearing off regular soda, no more eating past 8am, but that can only do so much.

If you’re really serious about really getting in shape, adding a workout regimen to your weekly schedule is key, but sometimes…….it can be hard figuring out what to do. That’s where the videos below come in. Read on for three intense videos of wheelchair exercises created by tough-willed people with a spinal cord injury. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Ann Yoshida

Maybe it was the energy of the Hawaiian islands that permeated her bones, or maybe she can take a cue from Lady Gaga and simply say she was born this way, but wherever it came from – Ann Yoshida has one unstoppable spirit, and her spirit definitely has an inclination for the physical side of things.

Ann Yoshida, 34, is a woman to get on your radar. She’s the #1 female adapted paddler in the US and the newest member of the 2013 USA Canoe/Kayak National Team; already cleared for the Paralympic trials with her eyes set firmly on Brazil 2016.

And she’s traveled throughout Asia, exposing villagers to adaptive athletics and documenting it on video. Really awesome stuff. Read on to learn all about this Hawaiian lady who is the very definition of fierce. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Rob Summers

In an alternate universe, Rob Summers would’ve been playing a major league baseball right now. Most likely practicing as we speak. That was where his life was headed. After turning down the MLB draft in high school and wanting to go to college first, he helped Oregon State University win the College World Series.

And in 2006 he was ready to move onto the next phase of his life – major league baseball. But a hit and run accident on July 21st, 2006 changed everything in an instant, breaking his neck and paralyzing him from the chest down. Baseball was no longer in the cards, but Rob Summers wasn’t about to accept his injury as permanent, even if he wouldn’t never again be able to compete in baseball at a competitive level.

Here’s how Rob Summers made history becoming the first person to receive a groundbreaking spinal cord electrical stimulation implant. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Amanda Boxtel

“Hope and acceptance can co-exist” – my favorite quote from Amanda Boxtel, the first ambassador for Ekso, makers of the cutting-edge robotic walking suit, and co-founder of Challenge Aspen, an adapted skiing organization.

Amanda has no problem intertwining two different ways of dealing with disability – moving on AND hoping for a “cure,” proving you don’t have to choose a side. Read on for a peek into the life of Amanda Boxtel –  an ambassador, motivational speaker and accomplished mono-skiier. Read entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Michael Johnson

The only paralyzed driver to be sanctioned to drive in the IndyCar series, Michael Johnson at 20 years old is one of the most interesting and soon-to-be famous race car drivers in the world.

He’s actually almost there, and if the wins the Indy 500 (his ultimate goal), or gets close, you watch – his name will become as household as Danica Patrick.  If you’ve ever wanted to gaze at someone with undying strength, read on, because you can’t get any stronger than Michael Johnson. Read this entry

by Tiff -

Channeling Your Inner Lawn Guy

Mowing the grass is definitely one of those love it or hate it things. For those who find it unendingly satisfying and refuse to walk away from it just because they can’t do it how “they used to” anymore, those are the people who invent some pretty spectacular stuff.

It’s summer, the grass is growing like crazy and you’re still paralyzed. What better way to show a handful of awesome wheelchair grass mowing videos? Check out four unforgettable ones. Read this entry