by Tiff -

Meet the World’s First Paraplegic BASE Jumper, 50 Year Old Lonnie Bissionette

Lonnie Bissionette is as a stubborn as they come, and we love him for it. The first paraplegic BASE jumper in the world, he is the only paraplegic to BASE jump off of four objects, and the fact that he was paralyzed BASE jumping hasn’t stopped him one bit.

Lonnie is also a pioneer in the brand new sport – para-bobsleigh. He represented Canada earlier this year in the World Cup and made one heck of a showing.

To learn more about this adrenaline junkie who’s also dedicated father and an ambassador for the Rick Hansen Foundation, read on.

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Stephany Glassing

A former sit-n-ski water skier with several adapted water ski titles under her belt, Stephany Glassing is one of the few licensed female paraplegic pilots in the country. And that’s not all. She’s also a mother, an artist, former Ms. Wheelchair Georgia 2003 and a lover of monkeys. Yes you heard us right – monkeys.

The recipient of a Capuchin monkey (she requested one to help with depression), she’s become a huge disability service monkey advocate since receiving Tracy, speaking on behalf of the organization that gave her her monkey whenever she can.

To learn more about Stephany, an amazing woman and dedicated single mother who refuses to let her chronic pain win, read on.

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Charles Krauthammer

A conservative political analyst for the Washington Post and Fox News, Charles Krauthammer is a quadriplegic you’ll never forget. The thing about Charles however is that he doesn’t want you to focus on his quadriplegia, and he’s been amazingly successful in this goal.

Out of the thousands of Charles’ dedicated fans, most don’t even know he uses a wheelchair. It’s not that it’s a secret, it’s just that his opinions and views on American politics are so engaging that they make you forget his disability.

From working as a Harvard-trained psychiatrist to becoming a Pulitzer Prize winning columnist all post-injury, read on for the fascinating story of Charles Krauthammer. Read more

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Dr. Susan Harkema

We have many heroes in the spinal cord injury community, notably the rockstar SCI researchers. One of the most promising researchers is Dr. Susan Harkema, Director of the Neurorecovery Network, Rehabilitation Research Director of the Kentucky Spinal Cord Injury Research Center at the University of Louisville and the Director of Research at Frazier Rehab Institute.

Dr. Harkema is the researcher who discovered that electrically stimulating the spinal cord can help us move our legs again. Yes, she has one amazing mind. From Katie to the Today Show, she has been featured all over the media and is the leading SCI researcher to know.

But research wasn’t always on her radar. From a career she thought was headed towards athletic training, Michigan-born Harkema was lured to the warmer weather of California where she discovered a passion for spinal cord injury research, and the rest as they say is history.

Read on to see how Dr. Harkema’s determination to find a workable cure may just land her in the history books

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Senator Tom Kennedy

After a spinal cord injury, we all find our own way of moving forward, and for Senator Tom Kennedy his way forward was through politics. His hometown mayor recruited him after his injury where he found politics and a sense of purpose; something he was aching for.

But he didn’t decide to run right way, he was just happy to help out, learning and observing, but soon this quad became a State Representative in the House for his home state of Massachusetts, making disability history. Read more

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Dorine Bourneton

The people of France have long been obsessed with aviation. From sponsoring the Wright Brothers to perfecting the hot air balloon, the French love to take to the air.

This is why it should come as no surprise that Dorine Bourneton, a paraplegic and French woman, made history as the first woman with paralysis to receive her acrobatic pilot’s license in the world.

But it wasn’t easy getting where she is today. From her injury that also occurred in the skies to receiving her professional pilot’s license post-injury, Dorine has one indomitable spirit. Read on for her amazing story

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Pieter du Preez

The first quadriplegic in the world to complete an Ironman triathlon, South African and Paralympian Pieter “Supa Piet” du Preez has been busy showing the world anything is still possible after a spinal cord injury, and boy does he make it look good.

Also fully independent despite a C6 injury, as well as an actuarial analyst by day with a company that also sponsors his training, this married man hasn’t let his injury stop him from reaching for his dreams. Read this entry

by Tiff -

SCI Superstar: Anna Turney

Not just another Paralympic athlete, Anna Turney is a lifelong athlete who’s more self-aware than most.  Injured nearly 10 years ago in a snowboarding competition, she transformed herself into a top mono-skier representing Great Britain in two Paralympics. And that’s not all.

This year she transformed herself again, leaving her Paralympic career behind and focusing on the next chapter of her life – journalism and motivational speaking -something she never dreamed she’d be doing before she was hurt. This is why Anna is a superstar and more. Read on for her awesome story

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 -

SCI Superstar: Angela Madsen

A former Marine with one impressive athletic resume, Angela Madsen is a Paralympic rower who’s now passing on what she loves to others. Also in the Guinness World Records six times for her rowing prowess and a record holder in her other favorite adapted sport – shot-put – she’s a natural fighter.

Uncannily, rowing and shot-put weren’t sports she played pre-injury (basketball was her favorite sport), but these sports transformed her life post-injury, helping her move on and see that a fulfilled life was still possible. Read this entry