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Alexanders journey My name is Alexander Kal El, I am 17 months old. At the age of 7 months I was diagnosed with spastic cerebral palsy. I have mixed tones (hypotonia & hypertonia) and was recently diagnosed with CVI (cortical vision impairment). Since I was about 2-3 months old I have had to live with laryngomalacia which causes me to burn calories very quickly so gaining weight is a constant battle. I see many doctors, specialists, and therapists. I don't let any of my disabilities define who I am and stop me from smiling and moving forward everyday. I know there was a reason god wanted mommy and daddy to name me Kal El (after superman) because I am a fighter and many people see me as a hero!

I work out and I bleed orange and blue Shortly after my 18th birthday, I was a passenger in a car accident, leaving me a C6 quadriplegic. After almost 6 months at Shepherd Center and endless hours researching the internet for recovery options, my mom found Project Walk. We made several trips to California and then agreed with them to open up Project Walk Orlando, now NextStep Orlando. Because of NextStep Orlando, I'm not only in the best shape of my life but I've gained back so much strength, stamina and function since opening in 2009. I can independently pedal a spin bike, stand for up to 30 minutes with minimal assistance and take steps with a lift walker. NextStep Being active at NextStep Orlando has kept my muscles from atrophying and my bone density strong so I know my body will be ready for a cure when there finally is one. NextStep Orlando has also opened up so many incredible opportunities for me like... introducing me to handcycling, my new favorite hobby and adaptive surfing (with Oceans of Hope Foundation, another great non-profit organization) After almost 10 years of being injured, I've begun to drive and travel on my own... also if it wasn't for NextStep Orlando, I never would have had the confidence to enter a contest (and win) to be featured in a New York Mets calendar! The best thing about NextStep Orlando though is the friendships I've developed with the activity based trainers, other clients and interns. People from all over the world come to NextStep Orlando and it's so amazing to meet them and their families, to learn their stories and to share the same ultimate goal... to walk again!

Where it began... My journey started with a right hemisphere ischemic stroke on August 26, 2013. I surprisingly remember most of the day: being wheeled out of work on a stretcher; being in the ER; going under before they, excuse the crudeness, sucked the blood clot out of my brain. I had been administered tissue plasminogen activator (tPa) before the blood clot was removed and, per the stroke coordinator, it took my stroke from a level 9 to a level 6. I was lucid enough after the operation to ask non-stop questions. I remember irking the nurses because I kept trying to get out of bed. My stroke was on a Monday and I was out of the hospital that Thursday. No inpatient rehab, just a million standard follow-ups. My journey My brother was married a week later and I was there, in the wedding! My left shoe just kept slipping off, oddly enough. Two weeks later I was back in cardio kickboxing class. I started three weeks pre-stroke and wanted back at it asap. I noticed my left punch wasn’t as strong and my left kick wasn’t as coordinated, but I was there. I loved it…I miss it. On July 2014 I had walked myself into a stress fracture in Charleston, SC. I had to take myself out of kickboxing for a little while. I never made it back. I was scheduled for, and underwent, a tendon transfer in my left foot on September 2014. I am not sure if my stubbornness is biological (I am quite stubborn) or something happened during surgery that I will never know about, but it did not help. It made it worse. I could feel my foot turn inward in the hard cast, and the less the swelling the more the turn-in. And for those that do not know, spastic toes in a hard cast hurts a lot. A lot. I was not going through something like that again. I had the tendons in my toes cut to limit the spasticity, but they, in the orthopedics terms, turned from snapping turtles into reining horses. Hammer toes…not good. It didn’t take long to decide enough was enough. I tried botox injections and AFO bracing and neither worked. Fusing tendons to bone so the muscles could spasm against the bolts for the rest of my life was not the kind of future I was willing to accept. I made the decision to amputate my left foot. After my tendon transfer I finally had a diagnosis. Two neurological movement disorders; dystonia and spasticity throughout my left side. Know that I am typing this whole thing with my right hand because I have limited mobility from dystonia and cramping fingers from spasticity. I have developed functional scoliosis, as well. And my foot was past a point of no return. To make a long story short on the hardest part of everything, my mom was diagnosed with cancer two months after my stroke. She fought courageously for over two years and will forever be the golden standard of strength in my life, but she lost the battle December 2015. I postponed the amputation to remain be with her when needed. So, January 2016 I started looking for someone to amputate my foot. I found an amazing surgical organization to perform an Ertl amputation. On May 09, 2016, I had an elective Ertl amputation to continue with my life. And continue I did! I got my first prosthetic two months later and was running less than three months post-amputation. I am currently training for the Ragnor Relay and Rock & Roll Half Marathon in Nashville for 2017. I’ve never been a runner, but you (I, truly) never know what you have until you lose it. And, I start kickboxing next month (eek!). Life throws curveballs and you let them knock you down or you dodge them. Your choice. I don’t like to be knocked down. Two years of adversity and I can finally stand proud on my own 2 feet. Plus, I have backups!

"...looking forward. You can only connect them looking backwards." I was riding my mountain bike when I broke my spinal cord. Sports have always represented a big part of my life, through good times and bad. Immediately after my injury I thought that if I couldn't get back on a bike, I would do anything to become a Paralympic athlete... I guess I have found the right sport! During my rehab, I had the opportunity to try a lot of sports and, luckily, I discovered to have a hidden talent in archery. In just one year of training I achieved great and unexpected results that led me believe that I can do something greater, something big! In the words of Steve Jobs, "you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something, your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever." Before my accident, I probably would have never shot an arrow. The next Paralympic Games is my first target.

Born with a disability and dealing with type 1 diabetes, I was bullied and self conscious... but never broken! My name is Chris Ruden (@chrisruden) and I am probably the only 7-Fingered diabetic powerlifter and motivational speaker you know! I was born with 2 fingers on my left hand and a shorter left arm. Doctors told me I wouldn’t be able to do much, but I’m too stubborn to listen. I struggled with body image issues, bullying, and self confidence growing up but I eventually learned to overcome my adversity through dance, martial arts, and even playing drums competitively. I got into fitness because I saw it as an impossible task given the way I was born, and I always loved a good challenge. Even though I started to love fitness, it was still just a hobby as my main goal was to become a lawyer. When I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes I changed my life around to help other people: "you teach best what you need to learn most". I earned my degree in exercise science and built a training business, large online presence, and started powerlifting, breaking 4 state records over 2 years. I am presumably the strongest diabetic disabled powerlifter today.

Unique From Birth I was born in 1989. I was unique from birth as I was born with Cerebral Palsy. The doctors did not give me much hope of living a “normal” life. They thought that I would never be able to walk or barely even sit up. However, I have accomplished a lot in my life with the help of my mother's stubbornness and refusal to give up. My mother always told me I was unique, valuable, and that I could do anything in my own way. Nothing is impossible In my adulthood, I was diagnosed with ADHD and Autism, which I’ve converted into two positive forces. Contrary to the doctors' diagnosis, I am able to walk short distances with assistance and/or with an aid. I am a personal trainer, nutritionist and aromatherapist. I have a Driver's license, run a kennel, and last summer jumped out of a parachute. Life Goes On Last spring, I was photographed in fancy underwear in a wheelchair. I was told that I am very photogenic and that I take powerful photos. I became famous overnight in both Sweden and international media. My images were everywhere! I really enjoyed the attention for being myself, and want to be a role model for others to not be afraid to show who they are. Differences enrich people Everyone is born with differences. According to the norms of society, everyone should be super slim models. Why can’t differences fit in the media? People should be themselves. I want to show that even with my disability, I have enormous potential and drive to make a difference in the world. Everyone should be proud of who they are. I am available for interviews and lectures - please contact me via e-mail synligfastosynlig@gmail.com & follow me on Instagram: @frikraften

Part 1 Our story starts off a little traumatic, but I promise it gets better. My pregnancy with Carter was a piece of cake. No complications, no problems, no concerns. My biggest worry was if I would get an epidural during labor or not. After a completely normal delivery, Carter entered the world September 15th, at 4:05 am 2.5 weeks early. Everything seemed pretty standard. His vitals (oxygen) were a little low but there wasn't much worry at this point. His pediatrician came and took Carter to do the newborn assessment. After about an hour he came back in the room alone. He sat down and said he had some concerns. 1st, Carter was struggling to keep his oxygen levels up so they wanted to keep him on oxygen. 2nd, they heard a murmur in his heart. 3rd, they were concerned he may have fluid in his lungs. He then went on to talk about how his blood pressure was different on the top and bottom of his body. He literally breezed through all of these topics in about 5 minutes flat and then said, "we have some concerns he may have Down Syndrome. Were you tested?" Part 2 Knowing nothing about DS I was so confused. I was 29, had no family history, no weird ultrasounds. I can only imagine the look I had on my face. This was not in my "plan". The doctor proceeded to tell us Carter had to be flown to a local children's hospital to be seen by specialists. And oh ya, they were taking him in 10 minutes. I had to stay at the hospital for the mandatory 24 hours. After finally being released we went to see Carter. Upon arrival, we met with a geneticist. She was confused and said that she couldn't tell for sure, but he definitely had some characteristics of DS and a blood test would confirm either way. While in the nicu we continued to be hit with more bad news, jaundice, pulmonary hypertension, a valve in his heart wasn't all the way closed, Hirschsprung disease which required immediate surgery, a feeding tube had to be administered due to aspirations, possible pneumonia. The list seriously went on. At one point I started to wonder if he was deaf and blind. To add to the stress, every nurse and doctor commented on his possible diagnosis of DS. The majority said no, they definitely didn't see it. After 48 hours in the NICU we received a call that the geneticists wanted to meet with us. Part 3 It's never a good sign when you're called into a family counseling room. My husband and I walked in, and it felt like we were in trouble with the principal. There were a few geneticists waiting for us. We sat down, and one of the men said, "we received the results. Your son has Trisomy 21. How do you feel about that?" Again, I am sure my face was priceless. Who asks how we feel so cold heartedly?! As soon as I heard the news all I could do was cry and say, "I don't want kids to be mean to him". The truth is, I don't care that he has Down syndrome. I don't look at Carter and feel bad for him or feel bad for myself. He is my son, end of story. Is it different than how I thought life would go? Yes. If I could change things would I? No. You take one look at that sweet baby and your heart melts. He is going to hit milestones. He is going to have a great life. He is a rockstar. A Down syndrome diagnosis is not the end of the world, and that is exactly why I created this account.

What fitness has done for me being an amputee I'm sure we have all been in that place where we have been depressed, on medication and confused on how to live a normal life. That was me when I was sitting in the hospital on the holidays trying to figure out if I should give the doctors permission to take off my leg. I had no idea about what I should do about picking a prosthetist, a prosthetic or rehab. Everywhere I went it seemed like no one had any answers for me. I enmersed myself in the field until I had as much information as I could get. My very first meeting with other high level amputees saved my life. For the first time since I lost my leg I felt a sense of community and hope. I knew at that point I wasn't in this alone and that I would be ok eventually. After learning that I can do things and teaching others I found my calling. This year I lost 60 pounds and got into crossfit. l completed a tough mud, Spartian, CMC and Terrain race. Everyday I'm learning new things so that I can help teach and inspire others. I'm also able to talk about different prosthetics and their function. I love my life now and am so happy that I can make a difference.

Be positive My name is Marc Cronin. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at the age of 29 and was put on medication to combat the illness. After a year of being diagnosed I had to have 2 operations on my eyes (vitrectomy) and had a bad foot ulcer. The ulcer went undiagnosed and I had to have my toes amputated. The surgery didn't go as planned and over a year and a half later I developed eqiunos in my foot (foot and ankle turned in and fused in 1 position). I was given a 50/50 chance of the corrective surgery working and due to the complications of what had happened previously I decided to start again with a new leg. The photo is me with my lego leg which me and my daughter decided to build while I wait for my real prosthetic to be made. Since having the amputation I have felt so positive and I say that all the negativity was cut out when my leg was cut off. Amputation might not be the right choice for everyone in my position, but it definitely was for me.

My story after 2 years Today is that day that reminds me of many bad and good things in my life. Today is two years from the situation that changed my life forever. I tried to carry this in the best way possible. I am not a perfect person and clearly I have made many mistakes which have taken me to the hospital again, but I have also tried to do things well for those people who have never left me. My family is the most important especially my son and I give infinite thanks for all the support and to the friends that stayed in any situation. They show loyalty. Also to the new people who entered my life- thanks for holding me and never to judging me because they really know who I am. 2017 This 2016 has been the most difficult year of all. 22 tickets to the hospital, 6 operations in 2 months and until now, little by little I have been managing to leave. I am sorry that it had to be on a very important date for others, but for me this date is set on my heart forever. I have to be grateful because I'm alive, of course I am, but it has been very difficult to carry this and always go o with a smile. Of course not everything has been bad and I have managed to do things little by little such as walk with prosthesis. The best feeling of all is being able to help others with my story. I thank my parents, brothers and babies. I thank GOD for giving me the mentality to carry this. I hope with all my heart that this disease will end in 2017, and that there are many good things to come!

Insurance Tango I'm terrible at titles and naming things. I was referred to this website, from my Instagram feed, to tell my story. It's a long one, and I am sorry for that, but I feel it does need to be told. At 15 I had dislocated my knee and had fallen hard. Aside from the damage to my knee, I noticed a lot of back pain. At first it was just shrugged off, and told it'd be fine. Through out highschool I still had that pain and soreness. As an adult in 2007, my hips and back went out. I was told to lay on the floor, and "That it happens, and everyone hurts." So... I laid on the floor, and it seemed to be alright after. Then about a month after, it went out again. So I went to a chiropractor, because everyone I knew said that would help. It did, for a little bit. What was wrong That's when I found out my hips were displaced, and that caused the back pain, and my back to go out. He told me I needed to see a doctor, and I made an appointment. I eventually had to quit my job because I couldn't deal with the pain in my back and hips. I couldn't just keep popping Tylenol and ibuprofen, and paying out of pocket to see the chiropractor. I'll never forget the horrible experience of my first doctor visit. Dr. Palladino. An older, squat kind of man. All business. At the time my health care was county aid. Because I was under 32 hours a week. This was back when minimum wage was about 8.50. The man jabbed me in the back, to see if I felt pain. I keeled over against the bed table thing in tears. Then he told me to pick up a pencil. I couldn't do it without using the chair to squat down to get it. At the time I didn't know this was some sort of "test". After that, he flat out told me I was" Overweight and Lazy". No answers I had only been off work for a month or two, and had applied for disability, that I paid into, so I could get help and get better. He refused to sign my paperwork, even when my rep wanted him to sign that he at least saw me and I was out of work for a month. I have a lot of nice, fancy words that probably aren't suitable on a public website for him. I never went back to that office, and toughed it out for about 9 years. Spasms, sharp pains, and discomfort. Every now and then it'd go out and I'd be I bed for about two days, and soaking in hot baths every night. Then, April 29th, my back finally gave out and that was it. I was incapacitated. I hurt so bad that I was shaking uncontrollably and nauseated. I was taken to the ER, thinking they could find out what was wrong. Dr Shawn Brady. I'll never forget, and I make sure I tell people to refuse to have him see them. All he did was tank on my legs, and treated me like I was some sort of junkie. At the time, I couldn't handle most opioids. I didn't even ask for narcotics. I was begging to find out why I couldn't move without excruciating pain, nor move my left leg. I had to be lifted from the car and put into a wheel chair, and the assistant nurse had the audacity to ask me how I was going to manage at home, after the doctor dismissed me after making me lie there on a bed, in tears. I never cry. I've always been taught that tears and pain are weakness. Finally So I always sucked it up and walked it off... But I couldn't walk this off. I had to go into work, asking for medical leave because I didn't know what was wrong. I was scrambling to get a hold of my favorite doctor. His assistant got me in, and they both told me I had herniated a disk. It was a classic case. So we planned on a three month recovery time, x-rays, and an MRI. My insurance denied everything except the xrays. Four times. So, my doctor asked for every single shot of my hips, lower back and upper back. He didn't want to miss anything. In the meantime, I slowly forced myself to walk. I was running out of time for my medical leave, and I was getting nowhere with my insurance. My doctor put in an immediate referral to a pain specialist outside of my mediCal network, and she was shocked to see me moving about and back to working. I had an awful limp and my foot dragged. I needed a cane, and the pain was unbelievable. We tried all sorts of nerve meds, oxycodone, shots, and finally hammered in an epidural shot to see if that'd help. It did not. In fact, it did not change anything at all. FINALLY I was approved for an MRI. I had three herniated disks. Two not so bad and would recover on their own. The middle disk of the three, so so badly extruded I had to be sent to a surgeon. The pain had gotten so incredibly bad, that I stopped eating and drank very little because it hurt too much to get up and go to the bathroom. I would get sick just standing and shook so bad that I couldn't hold anything. I dealt with this pain, in total, for seven months. Finally, I had relief. The procedure was more aggressive and a little complicated. But, in a nutshell, I was opened up and part of a vertebre was cut off to get to the damaged disk. Then it was removed and all scraped out, and a new disk put in. I have to say though, I felt wonderful after. I had to stay overnight, but I had never felt so good in my life. And the staff was amazing. The surgeon, Dr. Fox, was so impressed at how fast I had regained my strength. Progress Now I'm about 3 weeks into recovery, chugging along just fine with my walker. I'm learning how to walk again. Since I had lost function in my left foot and leg. My nerves are starting to heal, and that pain has been ebbing away. I can lift and move my legs more and more each day, wiggle my toes and rotate my feet. I'm still trying to get my balance and strength back, but I know I'll get there. Baby steps, and patience. I can't believe how much agonizing hell I had to go through, but I stayed strong, kept pushing, and I had a wonderful team of doctors on my side for once. That kept me positive, and I did my best to smile and keep myself occupied with texting or messaging friends. I knew if I didn't, I'd have folded and dropped out of the insurance tango. I missed Thanksgiving and Christmas because of this little charade. I have a long standing reputation for being stubborn, and spiteful. I guess this time it worked in my favor. Hah. I win. Also, I got a cool new stuffed animal thing out of the whole ordeal. And my favourite pharmacy tech sends me get well notes. I also rigged my selfie stick to my walker. For Facebook, Instagram, and of course, Pokemon Go. I'm housebound and walking back and forth for 10-20 minutes everyday is a drag without music and games. Thanks for taking the time to read my story. I appreciate it.

X-Files Hello friends, my name is Richard. Since 1987, I am a Quadriplegic from a gunshot to my neck at c5c7. Paralysis wasn't something I thought would be part of my life. Learning how to adapt and adjust was definitely a physical and mental challenge. As the years went by I wanted to help educate others. In 2004 I had a lot of help from family and friends to help me educate the world. We made a documentary about my life with paralysis and shared it with others. Please view the video by clicking the video above.