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

SCI Superstar: Lyena Strelkoff

A performance artist since the day she was born, let me introduce you to the special soul that is Lyena Strelkoff.

She would say she’s first and foremost a dancer and actress, and that goes without question, but now days she’s best known for motivational speaking, and she’s becoming one of the most sought after motivational speakers in the country.

From discovering the joy of storytelling when she was in rehab (and finding self confidence she never had before) to developing a one-woman show that toured the country, check out the fascinating story of a woman who’s transformed her talents into a compelling art form aimed at helping the world understand the spinal cord injury experience. Read this entry