Kick Ass
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Slip, sliding (and swimming) independently
Three sweet H20-inspired videos to finish off the week from SPINALpedia! Watch a quad go on an inner-tube waterslide ride at the Atlantis resort in Dubai, a paraplegic give an indoor wakeboarding machine a go, and my favorite - a C6 quad who's figured out how to swim completely independently (and with no floaties!).
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SCI Superstar: Briana Walker
She's been an Overstock.com spokesperson, a founding member of the Colours InMotion wheelchair hip-hop dance team and she can't stay away from extreme sports. Read everything Briana Walker on SPINALpedia, a fierce platinum blonde who's been loving life since her car accident 11 years ago.
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SCI Superstar: Rep. Jim Langevin
The only quadriplegic elected to the U.S. Congress - meet Rep. Jim Langevin (D-RI), a C5-6 quad who's been a dedicated public servant since 1986. Read his amazing backstory and find out why he's one of the greatest politicans supporting disability rights in the world right now.
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SCI Superstar: Darius Glover
He is the *only* person with paralysis to be cleared by the AMA, making him one of the coolest motocrossers EVER. Learn all about this badass 21 year old who has refused to give up his one and only true passion.
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SCI Superstar: Tiphany Adams
Perhaps the bubbliest paraplegic on the planet, my bio for SPINALpedia on the fabulous Tiphany Adams - one of the lovely ladies from Sundance Channel's reality show (following women in wheelchairs), Push Girls.
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SCI Superstar: Rick Hansen
One of Canada's most beloved athletes, Rick Hansen at age 25 pushed 40,000 km around the world. Now 55, discover what Rick Hansen has been up to since his legendary 'Man in Motion' tour (fun fact- did you know he met his wife on the tour?).
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SCI Superstar: Esther Vergeer
This 31 year old from the Netherlands (paralyzed at 8 in a botched surgery) went on to become the reigning queen of wheelchair tennis - was unbeaten for over 12 years and won over 660 matches. Read all about Esther Vergeer (and her recent retirement plans).
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SCI Superstar: Francesco Clark
Francesco Clark, a very hip C4 quad (injured 11 years ago), who went on to found his skincare company, Clark's Botanicals (and he's undergoing some exciting stem cell treatments too).
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Paralyzed speed racers hitting the big time
Michael Johnson and Matt Speakman, two men with paraplegia are the only two in the world with a spinal cord injury racing right now at a professional level. The younger of the two, Michael Johnson (pictured above) has dreams of making it to the Indy 500.
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Do You Mind When People Ask?
Being in a wheelchair, you just can’t get away from the inevitable question – “What happened to you?” Out to eat, at school, even in the parking lot, no matter where you are, there will always be someone who will want to know ‘why’ (oh you pesky human curiosity gene). It won’t happen every time you’re out, but it sure happens a lot. How do you feel when it happens? For me, it’s all about context and where I’m at specifically.