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I've Had A Disability My Entire Life I'm Kristy. I was born with a benign spinal cord astrosytoma, a rare tumor that grew inside of my spinal cord. The doctor told my parents when they discovered the tumor that I had a better chance of winning the New York lottery than having the type of tumor in the location that I had it. I've had three tumor removal surgeries due to the tumor growing back several times and a lifetime supply of radiation treatment to kill it and prevent from growing any further. I've had 19 surgeries total, including rods inside my back, a spinal fusion for scoliosis, two leg lengthenings, and a foot reconstruction. Due to all of the surgeries and complications from the tumor, I was told I would never walk again. I've beaten the odds several times, and have learned to walk all over again starting from a wheelchair, to a walker, then to a cane and now just a full length KAFO leg brace. I am physically disabled on the left side of my body and walk with a limp. Why I want to make a difference Over the years I’ve been ignored and made fun of, and still today, adults make insensitive and rude comments because of their ignorance of disabilities. I’ve learned to embrace my differences and want to change the thinking of disabilities/disabled people. Having Ability Is Stronger Than A Disability My idea came from my husband’s lifted Dodge Ram that we call “The Beast”. I’ve always wanted a lifted truck of my own but wanted to build it for a purpose and use it for something great. I decided to build mine to help raise awareness for disabilities and call it disAbled Beauty. The “dis” in disabled is crossed out, which was very important to me to show that having ability is stronger than a disability. I want to show disabled children and adults that they can have a positive attitude and not be ashamed of their differences. Being disabled doesn’t need to stop you from doing big things (literally). SEMA 2017 Truck Build I went to KEG Media, a major graphic design company in the lifted truck industry, for a rendering of what my truck would look like when it was all finished. I shared my ideas and plans with Robbie with KEG and from there, it turned into a truck built for the 2017 SEMA Show. I hope to share my story and my truck with others to empower them to keep going and not let obstacles stand in their way. Just because you've had a lot of bad things happen in your life, doesn't mean you have to live a sad life.

About me When I was 3 years old, I had a cold. My mom took me to the hospital right away. But the doctors there gave me a wrong injection, which changed my life forever. The day after I felt really weak and couldn't get out my bed. That day I fell into a coma for about 11 months. I couldn't see anything. I was held alive by machines and 10 days before the doctors wanted to switch the machines off, I woke up. Unfortunately 3 days after waking from the coma Saddam's gas attack war happened. I couldn't get the therapy that was needed for me. We couldn't rest long from the attack, because the golf war started and we had to get away from our hometown. I never got my needed therapy because of these two wars, where we lost 16 family members. 1991 a part of my family became refugees and we got to Austria where I finally got the needed therapy. I started a new life with a few of my family members and started to follow my dream as a singer songwriter. This is what makes me happy and makes me want to wake up strong every day. Music makes me want to live and this is what I try my best at. I dream loud, live life to the fullest and never ever ever give up. Because at the end we are all our own bosses, our own leaders. If WE don't do it, then who else? If not now, then when? Tomorrow? Tomorrow might never come, so please get up, love yourself, and keep your head up high even on the hardest days ❤️

Born with 11 birth defects Hello world! My name is Asher Liam. I am about to be a year and a half. I was born in the beginning of July 2015. My family knew from when I was 13 weeks in the womb that I was going to be different than other babies. The doctors told my mother that I could possibly have gastroschisis and 1 other birth defect. After I was born and further testing was done my mother was told that I had ELEVEN different birth defects. Of the eleven, one of them is a lifelong disability called Arthrogryposis. Arthogryposis Arthrogryposis means that my joints don't really move as much as they should. The positive thing about this neurological disorder is that it is at it's worst at birth, so I can only get better as the years go by. I had an MRI of my brain and they said it's perfect! My heart and lungs according to the doctors are extremely healthy & that made everyone happy. Month's later I found out that you have Coronary Artery Fistula which meant you have an extra artery pumping blood into one of your chambers. After multiple check ups, the extra artery is doing no damage and you have normal blood flow! When I was ready to be discharged from the hospital my mother thought it would be best to have me transferred to a Pediatric Center for a little over a month for Speech Therapy so that I can possible get off of the feeding tube. Since my family see's I'll need a feeding tube for a while they all decided it was best that I come home. It is very hard for me to swallow liquids because I have laryngomalasia but as I learn and grow I am hoping I can drink thin liquids and eat solids! I have been having therapy since I was in the NICU and I am enrolled in Early Intervention so I have therapists that come to my home and also receive outpatient therapy in a hospital for my splinting and casting! Because of the amazing therapy I am receiving, prayers and the grace of God I am only now down to 2 birth defects! Of course the Arthrogryposis will be with me forever but can only get better! Guess what else? My laryngomalasia is almost gone as well! THANK GOD. My family really does consider me a miracle and a gift from God! I am hoping you guys will continue to follow me through my journey and see how much progress I will make with all your love, support and prayers! Please follow me on my journey on my website AsherLiamOurBlessedWarrior.Org and my mother's website SecretLifeOfASpecialNeedsMom.Org

Endless Ability: Ability Jeans for Wheelchair users Our mission is to help those living with a disability understand that their abilities really remain endless. Through dedication and faith, all their goals can be reached. One starts this process by establishing a positive mind set. We provide peer support and mentoring to those living with a disability, as well as to provide products that make their life more enjoyable. Our clothing brings comfort and accessibility, and yet remain fashionable, allowing those who wear our clothing to feel great. We wish to provide products that enable the user to gain a strong feeling of confidence and independence. Endless Ability Jeans offer anybody who uses a wheel chair the most comfortable jean as well as the best fit possible via Endless Ability's modified and adaptive high-rise rear, lowered front pockets, butt pocket removal, and catheter zipper (optional). If you've ever had a spinal cord injury and were left paralyzed, whether a paraplegic or quadriplegic, Endless Ability Jeans adapts to your cathing needs. Whether you need to access your foley catheter or to allow for self-cathing without of removing your jean, Endless Ability Jeans are a adaptive jean that will solve your new or existing modified lifestyle. Endless Ability Jeans are a brand of jean adapted to those who use wheel chairs. With both styles for her like modified high-rise rear and comfort fit and also styles options for Him with lowered front pocket, removal of rear pockets for comfort and an option of a catheter zipper, there is not a better jean on the market anyone who has experienced a spinal cord injury injury or uses a wheel chair. Visit www.endlessability.com for more information.

Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come. My name is Jami Goldman-Marseilles and I am 48 years old. I am a Mom, Teacher, Author, Athlete, Mentor, Motivational Speaker, Challenged Athlete Foundation Ambassador & OSSUR ambassador. In December of 1988 at age 19, I was stranded in a car with a friend, during a terrible snowstorm in a desolate area of Northern Arizona for 11 days. Finally rescued by snowmobilers, I lost both of my legs due to frostbite. Exercise was, much to my dismay, but the key to my recovery. I realized that exercise was also a key to life and I eventually excelled in running sprints, and spent years on the US Paralympic Track and Field Team breaking the 100m, 200m, 400m World Records. In 1999 I was featured in a National Adidas Commercial running on my prosthetic's. Distance running called, though, and in 2001 I became the only double amputee woman to complete a half marathon. Up & Running Since then I have written my "UP & RUNNING" The Jami Goldman Story, competed in The San Diego Triathlon Challenge race 5 years in a row and have finished (5) 1/2 marathons. On October 11, 2015 I became the first bi-lateral below knee woman amputee to finish a marathon in the City which I was born (Chicago). On April 18, 2016 I became the 1st and only Female Bi-Lateral Amputee to Complete the Boston Marathon in Honor of the Boston Bombing Survivors, some of whom I mentor. Following the Marathon I got to throw out 1st pitch at Fenway & gave a motivational speech to The New England Patriots at Training Camp for FOXSPORTS "Mission Possible". My goal in Life is to pay it forward & show others that No Matter what obstacles we face, with determination & a NEVER QUIT attitude we can Conquer Anything! In October of 2016 I was diagnosed with Early Stage Breast Cancer, Another Life Battle which I will Overcome and Conquer. I reside with my Husband & 2 children in Huntington Beach,CA..iamjami.com #yoocandoanything #nolegsnoproblems #amputee #athlete #nevergiveup #impossibleisnothing #believe #iamjami #kickcancersbutt #marathonrunner #lifewithoutlimitations #teamcaf #Bostonstrong

Softwheels Hi All! This film clip may seem like an ordinary film but you will be suprised to learn I am going over very rough pathway up on the moors in Lancashire England. What is remarkable is that I have broken vertebrae and was able to travel two miles on very rough terrain all because #Softwheels took all the impact . It means I can join my son & his family in their favorite pastime of walking the moorland in Great Britain. There is absolutely no way it can be done on ordinary wheels!

Wheels on Wheelz: The Roller shows that ones Bike Life can continue after injury. August 31st 2008, while riding one of my motorcycles on a sunny San Diego day, I was forced from my lane while exiting. My bike violently hit a center divider throwing me over the handlebars onto the pavement. My bike landed on my chest and nearly crushed the life out of me. I suffered numerous broken bones thoughout my body including my ribs, collar bones, shoulder blades, arms and fingers. I also collapsed both lungs which caused me to nearly suffocate within minutes of my accident. The major damage that would have a lasting effect on my life was the Spinal Cord Injury I substained at the T-4 level. Motorcycles were my life In the weeks that followed my injury I was told by doctors that I would never walk again, let alone ever be able to ride a motorcycle. I dont know which news I took harder. Motorcycles were my life. I had been riding motorcycles since 2nd grade and even before that I rode quadrunners since preschool. I guess you can say I have always had a "Never Give Up, Never Quit" attitude, so it didnt take long for me to brush off the harsh reality that I would forever continue in life with a disability. But one thing I promised myself was that I would do all I could to see that this "disability" had the most minimal effect on anything and everything I choose to do. Endless Ability It did not take long for me to decide that I would find a way to get back on a bike and not only ride again, but be indepentant, and also look badder then I ever did before in the process! With lots of hard work and dedication I started Endless Ability Enterprises. A company that sells fashionable denim jeans for wheelchair users as well as many products that help improve the daily lives of those living with a disability. And through Endless Ability I with the help of family, fabricated and built these awesome bikes over the years. We adapted custom controls and a way to mount my wheelchair so that I can be completely independant while out enjoying what we like to call "Wind Therapy". I have been blessed with the ability to ride my custom motorcycles to hospitals, rehabs centers, and support groups throughout California over the last 6 years showing many newly injured patients that Life After Injury is possible. -Stay Rollin'

Dreams of Zoos What does that mean, life without limits? Does anyone truly have that? Body limits, money limits, time limits… and so on. Do we all want that, life without limits or do we need those limits to keep from killing ourselves. What are my limits, not even sure I know where my stopping point is. So with school/college I don’t think I have a stopping point there, I love to learn new things although I cried through the last math class I took so … maybe if I can’t study my way through it, I would toss in the towel. Body limits, that’s out of my control really, since my spinal cord injury and seizures but I press my limits there too. I teach had to hand combative, I got a tattoo this year, and I made some wheelchair work out videos with the University of Kentucky. Money limits isn’t that a funny one, $735 a month to live on and $120 in food stamps. That gives me $4 dollars a day to eat on. $630 for rent …. And over $100 dollars in utilities so I have learned to joggle. Time, we could all use more time, I want time where I am not tired. I want time where everything is at peaceful. If money was unlimited, I would totally build a zoo and camp accessible for everyone. Here is the idea, a giant zoo for animals that need rehab, have been injured, or need special breeding. Around the animal park there will be cabins in strategic places, these cabins will be wheelchair friendly and will allow for people to listen to the animals at night, something most have never experienced. I have thought this out so much that I know who will be working what areas of the zoo. I would allow cabin renters to experience the zoo by it becoming interactive. They will attend a class about animal safety and how the animals need help, after that they will go with a zoo keeper for which ever animal they choose and get to assist the keeper; with cleaning out the pen, feeding, and play time. It would be a place where people learn that they can overcome bad days, smile, and help life in a new way. I don’t know about the time limits, I kind of like to organize when things need to be done. And along with time I would make people I love live at least one day past the day I die so I never have to be without them. So if you live to be 100, I want to live to be 99. If I had no body limits, well that would be scary cause I am an adrenaline junky God only knows what I would be doing: maybe becoming a trapeze artist, an elephant trainer, a clown wait a minute everything I can think of is in the circus. Funny short story, I once ran away with a traveling carnival and so did my best friend. I didn’t stay long but she was there a few years. Sometimes you just have to sow your oats at the fairgrounds. What are your limits in life? How can you change them? What would you do without them?

Making a difference and helping others My name is Linda Beale. I am a special needs mum and wife. My youngest son Tyler has autism, global development delay and sensory processing disorder. My middle son Jayden also has autism and sensory processing disorder. My eldest son James has an auto immune disease, motor tics and other neurological issues under investigation. My husband Joshua also has autism. I work part time as an Exercise Physiologist for people with brain injuries. Journey My journey has been a very tough one especially as I suffer from a dizziness condition called POTS, I also have chronic gastrointestinal issues and I am very sleep deprived. I have learnt that my difficult and challenging journey has changed me into a better person. We grow and learn through tough times. I feel like I am getting stronger and stronger. I feel like I can do anything because of my tough journey. Sharing It's my destiny in life to help others. So I share my family journey on instagram @tyler_n_jaydens_journey. We share therapy videos, nutritional information, autism education, massage videos, brain training exercises, sensory based exercises and loads of cute and funny pictures. Helping others going through a similar journey is so rewarding and joyful. Positive attitude No matter what you are going through in your life. A positive and never give up attitude will help you move forward. Look for the silver lining in every situation or circumstance. Plus you can bring more joy to your life through helping others going through a similar journey.

Wheelchairs and a New Year Hey hey hey, Alena back with some more of my crazy life! I got some really awesome news today I was awarded a $2,000 grant for an Action Track Wheelchair. I still have a lot of money to raise but this is a good start. If you haven’t heard of Action Track they make extreme our door wheelchair, to be honest they look like a mini tank. You can use them to go hiking, fishing, on the beach, across gravel, and so much more. I once got stuck in the mud took 4 people to drag me out. With an Action Track I would never have to worry about that again. Me and my mom use to go hiking together but I chair just can’t do it. My mom has congestive heart failure and I am always scared something is going to happen to her, I really can’t wait until we can spend that time together again. I have about $10,000 lord that is a lot of money…. Maybe I will hit the lottery, I guess that means I have to start playing. I have set up a go fund me, but I know that everyone is have tough times, and it’s around the holidays so we are all broke together. (I’m roman noodles broke but if you stir fry them they are awesome) My mom is my best friend, we talk all the time and I don’t know what I would do without her. I hate that she is getting sick and down in her body. She likes to think she is super woman and does more than anyone I know. Works, takes care of the little ones in our family, and you never hear her complain. She had heart failure, Lupus, Raynauds, several herniated disks, and her knee replacements aren’t working any more…. Oh yea she tore her rotator cuff and had to have surgery on that. After typing this it really dawns on me that she has a lot going on, and lots of stress. If I could take it all away I would, she’s my mom even when we disagree and try to kill one another. That is what is going on now! Oh, and surprise I made it awake till midnight Happy New Years. Don’t give Mariah Cary to hard of a time how many time have you sung to a song, screaming the lyrics in your car while stuck in traffic, until the car next to you makes eye contact with you. If you are like me I dance more if someone is watching. She owned her mistake as well, buy staying on stage and letting the crowd sing with her gold plated mic. It’s the new year can 2017 be themed “Just Chill”. Little fact: It is 584 million miles for the yearlong journey around the sun.

A New Beginning Like most people out there, my life is hectic. It’s a non-stop circus of work, chores, travel, entertainment, eating right, staying fit, going out with friends and then collapsing onto the bed each night, wondering where all my 24 hours went. The difference is, I'm a C5 quadriplegic. According to the hospital my injury is 'complete', my spinal cord is completely cut and there’s no chance of recovering. It all started 13 years ago, I was young and high, on a road trip with my friends during my last university break before graduation. One minute I was chasing pelicans by the lake, the next I woke up in ICU, hooked up to all these tubes. Our rental car rolled on the slippery road, and somehow this 1 year old almost brand new car wasn’t equipped with any airbag. The rain was so heavy they couldn’t send me a helicopter, so I laid in the mud by the country road on the border of Victoria and NSW for hours before an ambulance took me to a nearby medical centre with my broken neck. It then took another 24 hours before I reached a Melbourne hospital where I was seen by a specialist doctor. Somehow I didn’t die! Just in a coma for weeks. Remember that moment when the doctor leans over and say this to you? "You are in whatever whatever hospital and I'm Dr. Blah Blah.... I'm afraid you've been in an accident... " My doc didn’t beat around the bush. The death sentence came quickly. "You have sustained a spinal cord injury, we have tried everything we can, but I’m afraid your condition is likely to be permanent..." There aren’t enough swear words in the world for that moment. I was still hallucinating from coming out of the coma, at the end of my bed stood the mom and dad I haven’t seen for years… I was numb, so numb I couldn’t feel any sadness. I couldn’t speak, because I was on life support. I couldn’t swallow, because my throat was slit. I couldn’t move, except for my face. I couldn’t feel my body, like it was never there. Time stopped, at that very second. Everything I ever knew, there ever was… was no longer. Everything I loved in life became no more than a slide show of my memories. All my hopes and dreams for the future slipped away in front of my eyes with every drip that went into my vein and every beep on the heart monitor. But then I thought: ‘Well, I’m alive. So it can only go up from here...’ That was the start of my "second life". This is my journey. Hopefully my stories could help you navigate your new life. Most people don’t get the chance to start again, but you do. And maybe, my stories and tips would help you get to where you want to be in life just that little faster and easier. 2 Minutes of Death, 3 Minutes of Inception "Dreams feel real while we're in them." - Cobb (Inception, 2010) For years and years I've often wondered: What if I never woke up from that coma? Would I live in that parallel universe for ever? Would I be forever young and not disabled? Would that, in fact, be a better life? That parallel universe was sunny and warm, much like our world. It had the same streets, people and buildings… but I was different. I was still a teenager there and never broke my neck. I remember there was a grey building on top of the hill where I escaped. I ran. Desperately running away from a group of people whose faces I still remember. I ran for what seemed like 3 weeks from street to street, place to place, trying to get back into reality and couldn't find a way. I somehow knew I was dreaming. I thought it would be all over if I couldn't wake up. I tried to slap myself on the face, stomped my toes really hard and scream from the top of my lungs in the middle of a busy street. If Inception had been out back then, I would have tried to jump off a building and jolt myself back. But nothing worked. So I kept searching the streets for 3 long weeks. Behind every door. Inside every house. There were no nights in that world. And I was too frightened to be tired. In that other world I needed water, in the real world I was thirsty from dry hospital air. In that other world I was running and feeling hot, in the real world I was on life support with fever. The faces of the people chasing me turned out to those of the doctors and nurses trying to keep me alive. And the grey building on the side of the road was in fact Austin Hospital where they took me to perform procedures. While in the coma, I didn't know any of this stuff. All I knew was the desperation of trying to wake up from a long and terrible nightmare. Little did I know the nightmare playing out in my real life would last even longer and many times more terrifying. When this becomes your new reality, you have some pretty dark thoughts: if I knew, would I choose to wake up? If that was my new reality until eternity, who's to judge what’s real or not ? I later learned that somewhere in the midst of this nightmare, my vital signs stopped for two whole minutes. I look out of the window at the crystal blue sky, the blue sky I was given a second chance to see, I know, for that... I'm forever grateful! The Darkest Hours Come Before the Dawn If there is a gateway to hell, the intensive care unit is definitely it. Every day, a few people make it back to life, but many don't. The ones that 'make it' are on life support, unable to eat, sleep, breathe, move or talk. To an onlooker, we are as good as dead. You have to endure constant fever and chills, a mind boggling combination of drug induced sleepiness and perpetual sleep deprivation from round the clock routine procedures. Nourishment comes through a feeding tube in the nose, bags and bags of milky mixtures are dripped into the stomach. You couldn’t imagine how constantly hungry and thirsty this make you feel. Three weeks in the ICU feels like three weeks of fasting and a lifetime of suffering. Your lungs are constantly filled up with liquid so bad that you crave for your hourly 'suctions', where a plastic tube is reached all the way to the bottom of your lungs then wiggled around to suck fluid out, it irritates your body so much that you violently convulse, even after the procedure is finished. But then, you get the precious temporary relief of breathing through the machine, just for that little while before your lungs are filled up again. Here, the nights are dark and never ending. It's cold, so cold, I could never sleep. So I stared at the ceiling and listened to the loud noise of the air vent. The in and out of my breathing machine, the ticking of my pulse and heart beats on the equipment. Time passed slowly. Apart from my hourly blood sample and the blood pressure machine that squeezes my arm, nothing else happened. I soon realised the scary fact that my only lifeline is the nurse. When something bad happens, there's nothing I could do and no one I could alert. That was a horrific night with nurse 'Tracy'. She spent the whole night in the cubicle next to mine gossiping, while I was desperately trying to get someone, anyone's attention. I was in excruciating pain and dead thirsty. When you can't move to push the buzzer and can't make any noise, there's nothing, nothing you can do except living the horror of desperation and helplessness, with your eyes wide open. The following morning she told the nurse that I'd 'had a great night sleep and didn't wake up once'. It's not until life takes everything away from you that you realise you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. That night with 'Tracy' had taught me that no matter how dark and long the night seems, morning will come. And when it does, so comes another day of opportunities for something great: to have a good nurse putting water soaked cotton buds on your lips, getting wheeled out of ICU for the first time, to see the sun, see the clouds, to feel the warmth on my face and breeze in my hair. In the sun, I morphed into someone else, someone more like myself. I closed my eyes and saw my face with my bright red hair rising above the ashes of my past, into the dark sky, it is dark, and will be for a while, but someday the morning will dawn, and I will still be here. To Be Continued..... Part 2 to be published soon

Feelings From A Lonely Soul Sitting recalling events from a life long passed, I wonder how life became so cold, almost unbearable. My words and thoughts are rarely heard by others. Only by writing, can I feel truly free without judgment or criticism. Pity was neither welcomed or needed, only a familiar face that was a close friend. Long days and even longer nights, have allowed me to reflect on memories of happier times. An abundance of friends, fearless in groups and always ready to meet new people. You never anticipate the loss of a personality trait, the realization of your new reality leaves bewilderment and fear. Fear of never regaining the zest for life and confidence once held. Wondering if and when communication and laughter, would flow so effortlessly and meaningfully as before. The ability to connect with others, seems daunting even impossible. A new day I struggle daily to convey my thoughts verbally, as I'm ashamed of this fearful, feable, weak person I've become. Unrecognizable passing time until I'm reborn, and ready to start living! Self acceptance was never my strong suit, but I'm trying. All my girlfriends are mothers now, and busy nurturing their children. I now have phone friends, since most have moved far away. I've been on long term disability for eleven years now, so meeting new people, and socializing is foreign to me. For many years I didn't want to leave my house, because I felt so horrible with the devastating effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Now I feel better than I have in years, and wanting desperately to feel comfortable in social situations. I feel like I'm the new kid in school, who has zero social skills and drowning in her fears. This is a turning point in my life, as I need and desire the interactions with new people. I should be amazed at how far I've come, especially when considering where I've been. About five years ago my words were very muffled and inaudible. I was tired of my friends and family, asking me to repeat myself. Not talking was just a better option, or one word answers that were gaurenteed not to require more explanation. I knew at this point spoken words, we're difficult to say, let alone my word processing and retrieval were noticeablly impaired. I spoke very slowly, and I was frustrating to others who were obligated to listen to me. I basically could not carry a conversation, so I lived like a hermit in solitude! It felt like I was imprison in my own mind, speaking to select friends, family and my husband. I understand that I was stubborn, it's a wonder that the remaining people didn't give up on me. Like the saying goes, "you find out who your true friends are, when going through the toughest times"! That is very true, just hard to accept/understand. Now I'm finally feeling better, needing and wanting to revamp my friends and start over. It's going to be the hardest to overcome my comfort zone (my home), but I'm tired of the same daily routine. Change is seldom wanted, but in this case required. It's time to start living again, I'm just not sure where to begin. Trial and error will be my new normal until I can feel comfort in my own skin. This is challenging, being 40 and realizing that everything is new and different than before. I never understood people with MultIple Sclerosis that say, "I have MS but MS doesn't have me". In my case MS has had me for the past 11 years or so. In all honesty, I feel MS has definately changed me. I can't say for certain if it's a good or bad thing, just different. I can say, I have experienced true pain and impossible situations, but I'm stonger for it! My life is very different than the way I had envisioned it, but I really believe it's how you handle negative situations that will make or break you. Yes I would have loved to have kids, and that feeling of life growing inside me. Realistically, MS has stolen that opportunity. I don't want to admit this, but that is my one wish, that I could have been a mother. Adoption is the only way, but my own biological child is out of the question, since having had a bone marrow transplant. It was done to halt the progression of MS, a decision made, at the time, as it was my only alternative. I guess I can't blame MS for the inability to have a child, in hindsight I would have protected my eggs for future use. I am very grateful for having had the BMT, but sad that I will NEVER have any biological children. That contributes to the loneliness I'm so familiar with. I am slowly dealing with my emotions surrounding my biggest hurdle; loneliness! I never anticipated being so young, and being in a wheelchair. Reality is, people do not want to associate, socialize, let alone being true friends with a person in a wheelchair. That's been my experience. I don't understand how so many friends I held for years, progressively dwindled as my MS progressed. It is challenging to reveal these feelings I buried for an eternity. I thought things would change, but nothing has! I'm brutally honest, as I know that these feelings are all to common amoung wheelchair users. I try focusing on the future, rather than being stuck in the past. Only facing my truth and acknowledging my faults, will things change. The first thing I must change is my perception of who I am. I will not accept MS as being my fault, its only my reactions to my unique circumstances that are my "fault". MS will always be a part of me that will never change. Today is a new day, where I promise to live the life I want, regardless of my diagnosis. I will stop apologizing for my health and things I can't change, I will choose to say I can and I will, I will set new goals starting today, I will not sweat the small things and be greatful for what I have. I will learn to laugh again, and feel comfortable around others. I will stop thinking that others are judging me, some might but I will not care. I am me and I embrace the future, with MS as my sidekick, rather than MS defining me as a person. For all the naysayers out there, never assume I can't because that just fuels me even more. I consider myself to be an advocate for the disabled and strive to make everyday count. I am not perfect by any means, I'll have bad days (like everyone) but make it my mission to carry on living the best life I can. I choose to be happy, resourceful and independent. For many years I lived like a hermit, but those days are gone. I am trully living, creating/inventing to hopefully make a positive impact on the world, specifically with disabled individuals. Advanced Freedom Currently I am working on an accessible, functional swimsuit line called Advanced Freedom. Swimming is my absolute favorite activity. As I progress with this disease, I realize that swimsuits were definitely not created to include all abilities. I've had bladder issues from the onset of MS. The typical one piece swimsuit is just not practical to dress/undress, especially for a disabled individual. When the swimsuit is wet, it creates an almost impossible task when needing to use the washroom. Since I go to the washroom frequently, one piece swimsuits presently are just not an option. Once all women reach a cerrain age and/or having had children, coverage of the mid section is of top priority. Shouldn't there be an accessible one piece that provides coverage, while accomadating the need for going to the washroom? To tackle this issue I've invented a "one piece, two piece swimsuit". It's a beautiful one piece swimsuit, that is actually two! The top and bottom portions are held together by magnetic buttons on each side of your waist. The magnets are waterproof so chlorinated or salt water doesn't effect the srength or condition of the magnets. It works beautifully and can be worn by all women. Women of all abilities, sizes and ages can now find their one piece transformed into the new, more convenient, two piece. Unlike ragular tankinis the swimsuit will not ride upwards in the water. It is considered a one piece to everyone else. Tankinis can also stay tankinis with the magnets going down the back/side of the upper portion of the top. It resolves two problems, one being it keeps the tankini in position when in the water, and two being more accessible for people who cannot raise their arms over their head. It also adds an extra element of style to existing tankinis. It is my mission to make disabled people feel more comfortable in their own skin, while feeling included in society. I'm starting with swimsuits because I feel disabled people have been forgotten when designing bathing suits. It's especially close to my heart, as I myself almost gave up on a sport I loved so much. Not to mention the benefits of swimming for a person with disabilities. It is also a project that I will be proud of, regardless of my circumstance. Multiple Sclerosis has not and will not change my mission in life. While loneliness is still my biggest hurdle, in time I hope that changes. I think through making inclusion a priority, things will fall into place. Society as a whole will not change, if there isn't people with disabilities fighting for the greater good. It's all about trying to keep busy, and providing something that will help others. The swimsuits are only my first idea, my thoughts are never ending. Others won't hire me, so I'm hiring myself. If it can help me, it will help many others in similar situations. Life has altered my initial plans, but I'm creating new ones. Life is not measured by suffering, but rather by giving your outlook and positive reach to others.