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You Win Some You Lose Some You win some, you lose some. It’s a cliché for a reason. Sports, dating (which is kind of like a sport), cooking (at least for me), and any social event where you have to put yourself “out there” earns this phrase. I get that. I can handle it…when it comes to me. But when it comes to Charlie, anxiety has me tightening my laces when he has to “perform.” Say Hello Take our most recent neurology appointment for example. We love his neuro. He’s funny and laid back. But we mostly love him because we only have to see him every six months. At each of these check-ups he asks me the rundown of questions about overall health, new interests, recent seizures (which luckily Charlie has not had in two years), and then he turns to Charlie and says hi. And I hold my breath. Charlie is watching trains on my iPhone. He does not look up. He prefers not to acknowledge the other human. When I take the phone away, he gives a smile, a small wave. But you can tell his mind is on the trains. Which leads the neuro, oh so casually, to ask me when our last speech evaluation was. I’m ready with the answers: “we’re working on using the iPad”, “his receptive language is perfect”, “expressive language is the problem”, “he’s so smart.” I fill in Charlie’s silence with all the words I can grab. The Show Must Go On Last week Charlie’s school had their Christmas pageant, a holiday sing-a-long. Music is Charlie’s love language. It’s his groove. The audience, however, is not. Last year, it went like this…Roll him in, cue the music, cue the tears. This year’s started off even more bleak, if possible. He spotted me hiding behind a post. The tears began BEFORE the pageant. So I slunk out from my hiding place and gave him a hug and my phone until his class went on. And then he did great. Weirdo. No, he didn’t sing. But he smiled and played with his santa hat. I’ll take it. That was a pageant I could breathe through. Great Expectations I don’t think I’ll ever let go of my expectations for him. Of my need to prove that there’s more to Charlie than a pretty face and some stellar wheels. But I want to learn how. I want to try at least. I want to sit back and enjoy the show. I think Charlie would be okay if I stepped back a bit…if the pageant mom in me took it down a notch. We’ll find a way for him to have more of a voice. And then he can really let me know what he thinks.

The Diagnosis: Spinal Cord Injury On the opening kickoff of a high school football game in Windsor Ontario, over 7 years ago I broke my neck. It was later that week declared that I had a spinal cord injury/ I was a "C5 quadriplegic, ASIA B." I was paralyzed from everywhere below my shoulders, no movement at all. Doctors told me an ideal recovery would include regaining some use of my hands, with little hope thought of recovery in the lower body. I was told I'd spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair. My Spinal Cord Injury Journey Skipping what I could write an entire book about, basically I started wiggling my left big toe three months after my injury. From there, a few other connections were regained and by six months post injury, my body was able to bear weight on my feet again. It took another 3-6 months to start taking little, uncontrolled, jerky steps. Through my whole spinal cord injury recovery, doubtful therapists and nurses told me movements like these were "just spasms" and "aren't really me"... they said the same when I started moving my legs three months after my injury. By 2010 I could walk a length of parallel bars with ankle braces which kept my foot fixed in to flexion. By two years (2011) I could walk about 20 feet with a two-wheeled walker (which had to be weighed down so I could pull on it for balance). By three years (2012) I was able to begin using my current forearm crutches. At the time I could only go across the room, and I needed a spotter for balance. After four years (2013) I began driving again, and without the use of adaptive aids, a goal I'd stayed true to for four years. I also began to experiment with walking outside. I was still heavily reliant on my wheelchair most of the day, and only walked as exercise up until this point. After five years (2014), I finally made the leap to leave my wheelchair behind. After weaning off of it (in terms of usage per-day) for most of the year, I moved out of my mother's house to live on my own. It was a rash move to prove my independence. My mother and brother both used to help me out with everything when I lived at home. I wanted to be forced to do things for myself. Year six (2015) began on the top of a mountain in terms of my recovery. I did what the doctors said I would never do. It took me five years, but they said I'd only recover for 1-2 years. I began to allow myself to live a normal life again. I started volunteering at my old physio clinic, went back to school for movement science, and started working as a personal trainer there as well. I'm on a new level: Helping People With A Spinal Cord Injury My first client was, in fact, a quadriplegic. Larry McRae, who I met through volunteering with my old physiotherapist. I went back to school to become a physiotherapist so I could work with quadriplegics, but I didn't think it would happen within three months of enrolling (although I'm his trainer, not his therapist, the whole motive was to help quadriplegics and others recover from paralysis in the most effective way possible). Since then, I've also trained a handful of other neurological patients and hundreds of athletes and even just ordinary people interested in moving better. Since I found myself already helping people the way I wanted to, and putting most of my time and energy into that, it was impossible to keep up the marks in school needed to be accepted into PT school. So I dropped out, and now I'm a full time, walking quadriplegic strength coach, helping as many people as I can (including myself) move better! And I couldn't be happier. My Story: https://www.google.ca/amp/windsorstar.com/sports/mccrary-walks-away-from-wheelchair/amp Larry's Story: https://www.google.ca/amp/windsorstar.com/news/local-news/mcrae-gets-back-on-up/amp

Life I'm just a girl with a beauty mark and six black wheels. I have CP and yes, it is it a constant struggle. I have many friends and a supporting family. Despite my situation, I tend to make jokes and keep pushing myself forward. I have many hopes & dreams, I must keep pushing My dreams are not limited by this chair I sit in, they go beyond it. My dreams are to become a model & Disney's first EVER wheelchair princess so I can inspire more people with my condition. My other life goal is to meet the lady who told me "just keep swimming," Ellen Degeneres, ❤ but it won't happen. I can dream though, can't I?! Despite your situation, I advise everyone to keep going! There is light at the end of the darkest tunnels, but you can't stop until you reach it. Go beyond your limits, don't settle for "can't ", and most importantly, chase your dreams until your chair dies and then start over again.

Lifestyle Hey, I'm Domonique Foster. I'm 19 from Houston, Texas. I was born with cerebral palsy. I was not able to do nothing until my foster mom took me in at 11 months and took her time to make sure I was going to have a future. When I was 8 years old, I had my first surgery. It was a success. I started physical therapy for two years and started to walk with a walker. When I turned 15, I had 1 more surgery on my left leg. I was in a wheelchair for six months so the scars could heal, and went through physical therapy for two more years. I am now walking distance to distance without a walker and living life to the fullest.

Insight on my journey with CP The privilege of a lifetime is to be who you are, and I know this is in my entire self being. I know this because I believe 💚 & I have learned that there is nothing wrong with being different.🌟 DIFFERENT is who I am! My name is Jasmine and I'm 24 Years old with Spastic Quadplegia Cerebral Palsy With Hypotonia This is the most common form of Cerebral Palsy. I am Wheelchair bound and what the "medical world " refers to as a complete total care patient, which means I need help with every day life activities such as preparing meals, dressing, going to the bathroom, doing my hair, going out, etc. Basically anything you can think of off the top of your head that you can do without thought, I need help with. It could be simple like rolling over in bed or tying a shoe, which I cannot do because my hands curve in and my fingers ball up. I need help, no matter how simple or big the task is. Sometimes I am in a lot of pain and I can't feel certain parts of my body. I have muscle spasms all day everyday, which are very painful. One of the biggest misconceptions people have about Cerebral Palsy is that it is a disease, but Cerebral Palsy is NOT a DISEASE! It is a brain injury that usually happens during childbirth, but it can happen to anyone at any age from traumatic events like car accidents. For me Cerebral Palsy is a special battle scar I got from a premature birth. I was born 28 weeks early. There was bleeding on my brain and lack of oxygen. 🌟 Although that is true, understand that none of it stops me from smiling everyday. A Huge Majority of the Time I feel like people have really underestimated me because I have CP, but understand that CP does not define me. I have many big dreams I'm going to make my dreams happen. I'm going to be an actress, writer, and commercial Cover Girl 💁🏽 And yes, I have Cerebral Palsy.💚 I'm in this fight for life no matter how long it takes. I am going to work hard and fight to accomplish everything! Believe me, CP will never stop me from living a full happy life and making a difference in this world because giving up could never and will never be an option for me! I REFUSE to go down without a fight!! There are 17 million people in the world today who have Cerebral Palsy & I am one of them!! I always have been and always will be 💚 I'm Jasmine and I'm living strong with Cerebral Palsy. Get to know me and my journey. I promise you won't regret it.💚

Wheelchair model Hello! My name is Valentina. I am 21 years old and I am the first professional model in a wheelchair from Chile. I was born with spina bifida (a tumor in the spine to explain it more easy :)) I have had 13 operations and have used wheelchairs since then. However that has not been an impediment to me or my dreams! I was able to become a model and I am now studying fashion design. I have participated in parades in Chile, and I am part of the unique Academy of Models in Chile. I am very passionate for everything that I do and although this has been a difficult dream come true, I found friendship and a wonderful world that helps me to overcome things every day! I wanted to share my story and encourage everyone to follow their dreams and succeed- never surrender! Although some may say that your dreams can be stupid or impossible, they are yours so love them and strive to comply with them!

Life Long Learner I attended Sullivan University from 2007 – 2012. Sullivan is like a second home for me, if you walk down the admissions hall, you can see photos of me on the walls. I know every teacher and often come by just to visit. I want to share a quick story that I will always remember. It was Graduation Day for my Masters in Conflict Management. That year I had been fighting with a lot of medical issues, and had been very sick. When I was called to walk across the stage, I started crying happy tears. I had overcome and pushed through so many hard times. As I was being hooded, Dr. Marr said to me “Why are you crying? The hard part is over, and you did it!” This put a big smile on my face as he has always been one of my favorite people at Sullivan. Dr. Marr is kind and very understanding. When I walked off the stage, I had to be assisted with walking to the lobby so that I could relax until the ceremony was over. While I was at Sullivan, there were days I had to come in my deputy uniform. Working, school, and medical problems were difficult, but I grew from the struggle to become who I am today. In 2010 I was diagnosed with a brain tumor on my frontal lobe. The doctors advised against surgery because it could cause memory loss. (To be honest, I was not about to go through something where I could just lose all of the education I had spent so much time working on). So, without surgery I started treatments and radiation. As the tumor grew, I started having seizures. I still fight the seizures with medications, and some days I lose the fight. Last week I fell from my wheelchair having a seizure, and landed on my hardwood floor. I broke my nose and herniated 4 disks in my neck. I continued to work with the Sheriff’s office. I was on the rapid response team and honor guard, standing watch over a deputy we lost was one of the most emotionally challenging things I had ever had to do. Spinal Cord Injury On September 17, 2013 I sustained a spinal cord injury and am now paralyzed from my chest down. I have been unable to work since then which it’s hard for me. I am very active, so I found a way to be part of my community again, but have enough flexibility for doctors’ appointments and bad days. That is when I started a 501c3, called “Block Out: Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries”. The program originated as a way to get therapeutic blocks that work on fine motor skills out to children since the blocks aren’t covered under insurance and can be pricey. We grew fast, going to help children in; Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Texas, and of course right here at home in Kentucky. We expanded our services to help families get medical equipment they need and physical and occupational therapy resources. We also try to encourage families to work together for support and bond building with someone that understands. We have pot lucks, we are in parades, and the families and children couldn’t be happier. I didn’t feel like this way enough for me, I wanted to reach out more to the community. I used the business classes to help me know the proper ways to reach out to people and places and speak about disabilities. In November 2015, I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky it is part of the Ms. America pageant but exclusively for wheelchair users. There was some intense judging, 3 days with judges and we got asked a little bit about everything in the closed door interviewing. My favorite question was “If you had to sing about the Ms. Wheelchair pageant and what it would mean to win, what would you sing?” So being as hyper as I am I started singing to the judges even though I truly can’t carry a tune it went something like this “I’m going to advocate, and talk about acceptance and accessibility.” As I spun my wheelchair around and flung my arms around until I got them all to laugh. As Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky, my life got crazy real fast. Before I could get home with the crown on people were calling me to set up events. I have been on every news station in Louisville (WDRB twice), the newspaper ran 5 different articles about me this year, and I was on the radio 4 times. People seemed to know me, better than I knew myself. I once got stopped by a stranger in Walmart – I was not dressed for the occasion, no make-up on and my hair a mess. She insisted on getting a picture of me so I went along with it. She tagged me in the picture on Facebook, so everyone saw my Walmart photo. (It’s funny now, but I was a little embarrassed) . I have done several speaking engagements: I have visited 14 elementary schools, was the Commencement speaker for the Galen College of nursing graduation, and did much advocating and speaking about transportation for those with a disability, because in Kentucky there aren’t many options. My platform became; Acceptance, Accessibility, and Advocating. Acceptance finding the way into the hearts and minds of others. Accessibility finding a way into community involvement. Advocating finding a way to educate and change the world. I had an opportunity so speak and teach at the Kentucky Department of Emergence Management, about winter weather with a disability, independent living, and controlling opportunistic crime. (I learn a lot from Dean Christopher Hughes, in my under graduate of Justice and Public Safety) I have also gotten to do a lot of fun stuff this year like: take toys that McDonald’s raised to the UK children’s hospital and Home of the Innocents. Helped encourage a summer reading program with children in Bullet and Hardin Counties in conjunction with the county libraries. I wish when I was young that someone would have spent time with me reading, learning, and connecting with me. I didn’t learn to read until 5th grade and no one noticed. I ended up have to go to a reading class instead of recess every day. Interestingly enough her name was Ms. Reading, and I can still remember the first book I actually read “The Hounds of Baskervilles”. From that point on I loved to read. Now as a 15 year old, I was volunteering at the Nursing Home my grandmother worked at. I would go play games, visit with those that didn’t have family, and pass out books and magazines. One day I walked passed a room that said, Mary Reading. I thought surely not, and I had to check. She remembered me, and in a tragic turn of events she was in the home because diabetes had taken he vision. The woman that taught me to read was now blind, she asked me to read out loud to her and how could I not after what she had done for me. We read the newspaper, magazines, books, anything I could get my hands on. For months I did this until she passed away in her sleep. I was heartbroken, and loved her for the opportunity she had given me in life. Because of her actions I was first in my family to ever attend college. Sullivan was that perfect place for me. My cousin then decided if I could do it she could to. Jessica Rodger-Powell attended Sullivan University Lexington Campus for Medical Assisting. She is raising 5 children and without college there would be no way for her to support them all. Sullivan is my family and my family has become Sullivan University. My medical situation just keeps taking turns for the worse, I think that is why I want to give my Thanks to Sullivan for what I was able to accomplish. With a Brain Tumor, Seizure, a Spinal Cord Injury, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and on May 28th of this year being diagnosed with Essential Thrombocythemia which is a pre-stage acute leukemia. My life has been hard, but no short on amazing either.

Abilities Are Greater Than Disabilities Anything is possible. I don't have disabilities, I have abilities to do things differently. I have been in a wheelchair for 19 years due to a car accident which occurred when returning from my sister's wedding. I was a restrained passenger when the driver, my father, fell asleep. He and the other passengers, my mother and daughter, walked away with minor injuries. I was airlifted to the University of Michigan Hospital as a high functioning C7 with use of my hands. Three months later, after combating a variety of hospital born diseases, I was discharged as a C5 quadriplegic, barely able to shrug my shoulders. While in the hospital I made the conscious decision not to allow my paralysis to destroy my life or that of my family. I refused to accept the "normal" protocol for a C5 quadriplegic, believing that "normal" is a setting on a washing machine and not a lifestyle. Navigating life My children, then ages six and eight, needed a mother and I refused to relinquish this role. I wrote a book, Behind the Curtain, to share my story and experiences when dealing with attorneys, insurance claim adjusters, hospital bureaucracy and home healthcare providers. Becoming my own best advocate, I learned that no does not mean no, it means negotiate. Using unconventional tactics I found pathways to navigate the bureaucracy. Behind the Curtain also recounts my experiences of moving to a Caribbean island, dancing with a Russian dissident, and skiing the Rocky Mountains. I have had the privilege of attending two high school graduations, one college graduation and my daughter's wedding. Believing that my abilities are greater than my disabilities, I have moved forward in unimaginable directions in my journey in a wheelchair. I am an inspirational speaker on navigating life and turning roadblocks into scenic detours.

Nothing will hold her down.. not even Spina Bifida! We went for our 20 week anomaly scan expecting to come out frustrated we wouldn't find out the sex of our baby because he/she would have their legs crossed. When we actually came out we realized tgere is more to pregnancy than knowing the gender of your baby and sometimes those things you never think will happen to you.. really will happen to you! Lucky "There's something wrong with baby's brain, spine and legs." Those are words I'll never forget. That day I felt like my world had come crashing down! My partner and I went through a rollercoaster of emotions after finding out our baby would be born with Spina Bifida. We weren't prepared for this! The rest of my pregnancy was the usual antenatal care and additional ultra sound scans to make sure the baby hadn't developed hydrocephalus (fluid on the brain) which normally comes with Spina Bifida. We were lucky that Rubie never did develop hydrocephalus and as soon as she was born we knew she would be a fighter and she was absolutely beautiful! We couldn't imagine our lives without her Rubie was born with Spina Bifida, bilateral hip dysplasia, hyper extensive knees and bilateral talipes. Her first operation was at 1 day old to close the lesion on her back and she had had a further 4 surgeries on her hips, knee and feet. I wish I knew back then what I knew now because I wouldn't be worried at all! Rubie has exceeded all of her expectations.. she sat unaided at 6 months, she army crawled, learned to self-propel in her zip zac! She then graduated to her big girl wheelchair and took to it like a duck to water! More recently she was given a standing frame with wheels which she loves and managed to take her first step with me holding her arms! Rubie loves playing, especially with dolls & she loves her iPad! Her big sister Lillie is great with her and does all she can to help care for Rubie! Rubie brings so much light to our lives and is an absolute delight. She lets nothing stand in her way and is an absolute pleasure! We couldn't imagine our lives without her! ❤

Samuel Cisneros Navarro Hello, my name is Samuel Alejandro Cisneros Navarro I am 9 years old. I have Cerebral Palsy and microcephaly. I was born at 37 weeks by caesarean section, with many complications. I was hospitalized for about month and a half and connected to a mechanical ventilation for 22 days. No one knew if I would live, but I was baptized in the clinic, and I decided to live. With the help of my parents, relatives and therapists I have managed to move a lot and keep active despite the difficulty. I like play a lot and mom says that I'm am an angel to earth. Despite my condition I am a very happy child and I am an example of life, of faith and hope. Thank you yooocan for allowing us this space to tell our story. Hola, mi nombre es Samuel Alejandro Cisneros Navarro tengo 9 años de edad; estoy afectado con una Parálisis Cerebral Infantil además de microcefalia. Nací a las 37 semanas por césarea, presentando una sepsis neonatal complicada con candidiasis cuyas consecuencias fueron una dificultad respiratoria, neumotorax derecho, deficiencia renal y una hemorragia ventricular grado II. Estuve hospitalizado poco mas de mes y medio y conectado a ventilación mecánica por 22 días, los pronosticos de vida para mí eran reservados, fui bautizado en la clínica, sin embargo, decidí vivir. Con ayuda de mis padres, familiares y terapeutas he logrado avanzar muchisimo en medio de mi dificultad. Me gusta jugar y que me consientan, mamá dice que soy un angelito terrenal, su pedacito de cielo. A pesar, de mi condición soy un niño muy feliz. Soy ejemplo de vida, de fé y esperanza. Gracias yooocan por permitirnos este espacio.

From Flying To Walking Who am I? Well, let's just say I'm that guy. The guy that never let anything stop him. The guy that always made the unlikely possible. The daredevil, the badass. The one who would never let anything stand in his way, and conquered all his fears. The one who always dreamed of greatness no matter how far it seemed or difficult it'd be. The one that would laugh when others said, "the sky is the limit", knowing that it was just a step in his journey. That's me. Ignacio Montoya. A fighter pilot & combat systems officer select of the United States Air Force who died for almost 15 minutes four years ago. Today I am the Executive Director of an unbelievable facility called NextStep Atlanta Paralysis Recovery Center and I am on a fierce mission to get not just myself but hundreds and thousands out of wheelchairs and back to chasing their dreams.

New vision Four years ago during my duty as a biomedical Engineer, my team's task was to install medical equipment (1300 kg) in a hospital. The machine fell down on to my right leg during the transportation. After two weeks of suffering in pain with the doctors trying to save my leg, amputation was the best solution for my condition. I just smiled and took this decision knowing that god will stay with me. After my operation, I am really proud that I have changed the idea of amputation for many people; it is a new beginning in my life. I go out and shop, swim, travel, drive my lovely car and I am enjoying my life. I have come back to my career and even have a new friend, (my metal leg) or my lovely prothesis. Now my dream is to share my story and my journey with people all over the world to tell them please don't stop your life because of an accident or any other difficulty you face. Smile and be positive. I feel proud and happy... my life vision now is changed and I want to be a man who can give all the hope for all.