by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Kelley Kalafatich

A born and bred explorer and river rafter who’s even worked in Hollywood, Kelley Kalafatich is one of the world’s most talented female rafters. Having been all over the world exploring rivers, her carefree life was sidelined by something she couldn’t even see.

Kelley has not only managed to move on after a permanently debilitating illness, she’s figured out she has a lot more inner strength than she ever realized; that’s right the “tough river rafter lady” with no fear.

For a peek at this incredibly inspiring woman, here is the story of SPINALpedia’s SCI Superstar this week, Kelley Kalafatich. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Skydiver Jarrett Martin

In Jarrett Martin’s world, the place he loves to be the most is in the sky – free-falling at 100 miles an hour with the wind in his face. But after his injury five years ago, he feared the one thing he loved the most would no longer be possible.

Jarrett grew up in a family-run skydive business; skydiving was and still is in his blood. The notion of no longer skydiving was never something he was willing to accept, and he never had to. Within months of his injury he was back skydiving, but the AMAZING thing about Jarrett’s return isn’t just the fact that he’s back in the sky, it’s everything he’s also done and making history in the process.

Photo courtesy of Max Haim

To find out all the things Jarrett has been up to since his spinal cord injury, read this post

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Football American-Style, Take II

Last year we first blogged about the American-version of wheelchair football, and it’s been growing in popularity. There have been several new videos made on this sport over the last year too, and we’d love to share them.

Your NFL team may not have a chance this year, but wheelchair football could definitely use your support. For a look at an adapted sport that allows both manual and powerchairs on the field, read on for the latest videos from the hut-hut world of wheelchair football, and don’t forget your helmet. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Sang-Mook Lee

You’ve likely heard of Stephen Hawking before, but have you heard of Sang-Mook Lee? Called the “Stephen hawking of Korea,” Sang-Mook is a world famous oceanographer and professor from Seoul National University. He’s been studying the ocean on the earth beneath it for years, and he’s only been paralyzed since 2006.

Sang-Mook’s story is one of the ages. He may have been injured at the height of his career, but he fought hard to get back to his everyday life. Within six months he was teaching again, if that gives you any idea of the dedicated and true scientist that Sang-Mook truly is. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Tresa Honaker

Teresa “Tresa” Honaker, of Grass Valley, California may have only been paralyzed for 2 1/2 years, but she’s already made history as the first wheelchair aerialist. A lifelong dancer and gymnast who became passionate about aerial performing later in life, she founded the aerial group Air Aligned in 2002 to foster her new love.

An injury however two years ago while doing the very thing she loves the most – experimental aerial work on silk ropes – injured her, taking away her ability to use her legs and forever changing the way she does aerial work (keyword “changing,” and not taking away).

Tresa’s now back at it, and she’s learning how to do what she loves in a brand new way. Read on to see how Tresa is balancing her new life with her life’s passion. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Barry “Bazza” West

Barry “Bazza” West, a C4 quadriplegic from Framfield, UK, may be the most active quadriplegic in the world. With no movement below the shoulders, he’s racked up an impressive list of extreme sports he’s done since his injury.

Mouth darts, downhill skiing, flying with just his head, kayaking, skydiving, paragliding, SCUBA diving, mountain climbing, even trimming bushes using a robotic arm, Barry refuses to waste time he still has on Earth. “We have only one life,” as Barry likes to say, and he definitely lives by his words.

Above all, Bazza is an unforgettable motivational speaker who’s all about “getting cracking” with life; a mindset we absolutely love. Read on for the absolutely awesome story of Barry West

by Tiff -

SPINALpedia Back to School Video Challenge!

spinalpedia-back-to-school-video-contest

Want to earn some back to school cash? SPINALpedia.com, a social mentoring network and video archive, wants to assist those with spinal cord injuries going back to school and we need your help.

If you have the ability to create a video (your cell phone is just fine) and have advice to give on the topic of going to school with a spinal cord injury, we’d love to hear from you!

Anything you would like to share ranging from how you take notes in class and what accommodations you request and/or receive to how you make it to and from school and what’s it like living on a college campus and/or dorm room, to even what software programs and technology you use, you can share any and all school-related advice.

Winners will be announced next Friday and the deadline is Sept. 16th! First place wins $100, Second place wins $50 & Third place wins $25.

To submit your video: Please upload it to YouTube and send us the link of your fabulous video either to spinalpedia@gmail.com or via our Facebook page.

All videos will be judged on the following criteria. In no particular order:

– How engaging is the person in the video/ability to connect with the audience?

– Is the video easy to view (lighting)?

– If explaining a task, is it given in clear step-by-step instructions?

– Is the video easy to follow?

– How clear is the audio?

– Is the picture clear and steady?

– How creative is the video?

Good Luck! And remember, everything we do is to help those with new injuries. Join our mission – SPINALpedia.com

by Tiff -

Spinal Cord Injured & Grilling: How to Stay Safe

Everybody loves tasty grilled food, but for many people with spinal cord injuries, they get too worried about burning themselves and just don’t even bother. Barbecue and paralysis may not be two peas in a pod, but they can coexist safely, and that is the purpose of our end-of-the-summer post.

You don’t have to live in fear of your grill any longer. Our videos will prove you can use your grill without burning yourself. All you need are a few handy tricks, like the right grill to purchase.

In honor of Labor Day, we present you with three of our best barbecue videos. Read this post

by Tiff -

Wheelchair Maneuvering in a Crowd

rock concert

Wheelchairs may be incredibly handy devices, but in one area they completely fail is getting through crowds. Wheelchairs are low to the ground and square, meaning they’re terribly difficult to get through crowds full of tall upright beings.

The main reason being is well, people rarely look down and notice us. It’s a terrible state of affairs, and you don’t have to be in a wheelchair long to experience this. Just spend 5 minutes in an area thick with humans and you’ll see just how invisible we are (to some).

Unfortunately…this means anywhere that’s crowded – concerts, festivals, work events, school events – we have a tough go at it. But there’s good news. We can learn how to get through a crowd without being frazzled.

To become a connoisseur of crowds on wheels, check out our three videos. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Claes Hulting

Considered by many as the Christopher Reeve of Sweden, Claes Hulting since his injury has dedicated his life to promoting enhanced rehabilitation and research of spinal cord injuries. And what he’s created, Spinalis, a cutting edge rehab facility in Sweden, is admired around the globe.

Being the founder of an amazing foundation is just one thing Claes is known for too. He’s also a physician (he worked as an anesthesiologist before his injury) and is in the history books for being the first person with a spinal cord injury to have a child via in-vitro fertilization (a son who’s now turning 18!).

To learn more about a man who can be credited for helping thousands of people with spinal cord injuries live healthier and fuller lives, this is the story of Claes hulting. Read this entry