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Joe Mekan Joe Mekan is a 21 year old paraplegic who is determined to get stem cell treatment on his injured Spinal cord. Treatments are not available in North America, maybe bc of big pharma, maybe bc of the shouts of ethics? The stem cells are not embryonic. We're working to raise funds to get Joe to Thailand where others w Spinal cord injuries have had incredible success. Joe is an intelligent, compassionate, funny and fun loving guy. His injury hasn't slowed him down much! He has remained positive throughout the last three years and works hard to achieve his main goal of treatment. He is motivated to be a strong voice for stem cell treatment after he receives his, as well as continuing to advocate for better support to those who have spinal cord injuries. Join us in supporting Joe! www.supportjoe.com

Push the limits Hail hail! I'm Vilson and I'm 31 years old. At 29 I had a motorcycle accident and suffered a spinal cord injury at the height of my T4 vertebra. In the beginning it was complicated, but today I see that life still has so much to be lived and is filled with infinite possibilities. Today I practice sports including bodybuilding and swimming, and I'm always at a bar or party with friends. I do many things alone and I overcome many obstacles without needing assistance. This is what makes me want to go further and further in life.

Intro Hello all, my name is Chris Webber. I have been considering how I would best be able to tell this story and have decided to start from the beginning but keep it as short and sweet as possible. I firstly would like to acknowledge I was in the Navy, I have been in a wheelchair for well over a year now and I am an abuse survivor and still healing. I have 2 amazing daughters Rorrie and Abbie ages 6 and 4. So here it goes. Childhood I had a normal childhood... other than the fact I began racing Go-Karts at the age of 5. My dad Keith took me all over the west coast to race dirt Karts and IKF Karts. I wrestled and tried almost every sport you could think off that was offered. By the age of 14 I started racing 360 Sprint Cars, one of the youngest in the world. I moved up to 410 Sprint cars by 16 and continued this until I was 18. I did very well throughout my career but had always had the drive to join the military like many of my family members before me. Military I did in 2008, gave up my racing career and joined the Navy as a Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC). I got married to a girl I dated in previous years before this and all considered I had a great career. I did 2 deployments to the Middle East with Naval Special Warfare Group 4 and was stationed at Special Boat Team 12 in Coronado C.A. However, there was a physical price. I was in a major HMMV crash and as my friend Ariel says "That hmmv wreck is still one of the scariest things I've seen bro, so thankful y'all all made it out of that Vic!!" This was not too physically detrimental however due to the nature of my job and incidents like this I developed Injury Induced Levo Scoliosis as well as some compressed and fused discs. Marriage I would like to touch base and divert to my marriage. Since 2008, I had been hit multiple times but never considered it to be a long term issue. I was a man after all and in one of the most "elite" military organizations in the world, I could handle it I thought to myself. In 2012 she was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder. I always took it for granted and never realized the long term effects of being hit, yelled at constantly and covertly manipulated would have, not only on my psyche but also physically. In 2015 I was hospitalized from physical abuse. Of course never mentioning what actually happened I immediately began to have full body spasms. I had developed a neurological disorder from my military injury and the situation I was in. I was completely immobile and incapable of doing anything for myself, whether it be showering or even feeding myself. After working with the Veterans Assistance(VA) clinic in my hometown and the Combatant Craft Crewman Association I made the decision to swallow my pride and face the facts. I began to use a wheelchair full time and with medication I was able to reduce my spasms and pain to a reasonable amount. Wheelchair The first year I was in a wheelchair was hell. I used to be in theoretical great physical shape considering I consistently fought with back pain the last half of my Navy career. I regularly went rock climbing and repelling, hiking and just took for granted the abilities I had. I struggled with this and went through a horrible phase of thinking I was worthless and no longer who I was because I was now in a wheelchair. Once I faced it though I began physical therapy until no longer possible due to being abandoned regularly with my children at home and I don't want to delve any further than that. I sucked it up and enjoyed my time with my kids as I cared for them and myself a majority of the time. It was a lot to learn but I adapted and overcame. I was also going through a great deal of financial stress from quitting my job and the misuse of our income. The most intense part of this time was my current relationship. The abuse had increased exponentially from being in a wheelchair, I had become vulnerable and physically weak. I was thrown from a moving car twice, hospitalized twice and often had to escape my home many many times. My disability was taken advantage of and I was not in a position to stick up for myself. I remember one of the fears I had was not the physical pain but trying to fight with threat of anyone else ever wanting to be with a man in a wheelchair. All the while staying silent to the outside world except the select few people I shared this with and multiple witnesses. I always thought I was a man of my word and when I took my wedding vows I meant them. However, late August of 2016 would be my last. Unfortunately I had to witness something no married man ever should, irregardless of me being in a wheelchair. I will not go over that night in detail however I will say we were both arrested and I was cleared of any prosecution or charges. The VA clinic patched me up and helped a great deal with my arm and shoulder that was badly damaged. Healing Here comes the healing phase, my favorite part. Now the first 5 weeks I was completely immobile. I didn't sleep, I didn't eat, I was barely human. No amount of medication could reduce my spasms. My children were taken from me due to accusations I am physically incapable of doing, attacking my military career as well as accusing my "inability" of caring for my children due to my disability. It was horrible and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy, not just from what was happening in my life but also how I was treated by my abuser after suffering for so long. One day I got a call from my attorney. The other party was willing to give me 3 days week for a few hours with my kids. I remember looking at myself, I hadn't showered for at least a week, my hair was greasy and my beard looked like a rats nest. I also remember skipping a week of class. Joe (CEO of Cloud Wise Academy) called me this week moments after my attorney and said "Don't miss this opportunity, if anything do it for your kids and just get your life together, no one is going to do it for you." It hit me so hard but it was so true and I will forever be grateful for such blunt straight to the point words. I bought a car the next day... after taking a shower. I went back to class, I started going to church again and just started taking care of myself. One of the biggest things I did was "self care." I went to a book store and bought every book on mental health, disability health, abuse survivors, Narcissistic abuse and Borderline Personality Abuse. I attended and joined abuse and disabled support groups and began seeing a therapist. That was one of the best decisions I made during this time. After researching the situation I began to stop feeling sorry for myself and taking initiative of my life, the one I felt I never had control over. I wanted to look my best and feel my best when my kids saw me. I wanted to be who they deserved their dad to be. It was wonderful. Opportunity A couple weeks after this forced motivation, I got a call from my friend Dallas. He asked if I wanted to do Voice Acting? I told him yes and he gave me a number to call. I called an amazing woman named Connie. We talked on the phone for about an hour and really built a friendship immediately, this had become more regular as I began taking care of myself mentally and physically. I asked my friend Carl who owns a local radio station if I could use his studio to do some recording. Not only did he provide a studio he provided a producer, edited my material and sent it to Connie, free of charge. Connie gave me a few more roles and I'm set to do more work in the future, it was one of the first things I found I could do in a wheelchair and thoroughly enjoy. It will also not be the last. After graduating from Cloud Wise Academy I got a call from my instructor Zach the next week. He asked if I wanted some work and of course I said yes! I have been working with him since. I built my own office in my home and plan to start my own freelance web design company in late 2017. I began to see my personality and work ethic coming back from before the abuse and wheelchair. Many of my old friends began hanging around me again and I started making a lot more new friends, great connections. To be continued.... So here I am in December. Well over a year of being in a wheelchair, surviving more stressful events at home then I ever did in the military, and finally being free of that situation. I feel confident in saying I have made great strives in recovering and healing physically. Within months of finally getting the support of family, friends and peers I feel I am living proof that anyone can do anything. I am still fighting a custody battle for my children but am so much more positive than before. I really do hate to present myself like this but if it helps somebody then it has value. I have been doing physical therapy regularly since being on my own with a car and have made great strides in using a cane to get around the house and short distances in town. God opened doors to me I never imagined possible and really did bless me during the recovery process. It just took a positive attitude and determination to succeed no matter the situation. Lastly I want to thank my family and friends and most importantly my children for being the anchor I always had. I also want to say to anyone reading this that anything is possible. I always thought that line was cliche for so many years but as I look back I really do think anything is possible for anyone and you can do anything!

The goals Create a solution for electric propulsion of a manual wheelchair with a range of about 10 km (about 7 miles). Try to stick to existing technology and keep the cost down as I personally pay for everything :P. If this solution works, the plans for it will be made available free of charge, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY-SA). This license enables everyone to construct their own, for personal use as well as commercial use, and allows for everyone to add their own improvements. Current status I have bought: - a wheelchair - an electric scooter The first meeting of those two is captured in this story's headline photo! The electric scooter now has enough battery power to run for about 6 meters (about 20 feet). The intended range is more like 10 kilometers (6 to 7 miles). So we will need new batteries! I have also been building a (wheelchair accessible) workbench, to be able to work on this and future projects while sitting in my wheelchair. Find photos of that on my Instagram! Next steps Now we will have to find new and better batteries for this scooter, to get the prototype up to speed and range. The scooter's original batteries were very, very small lead-acid batteries. The first step will be to replace these with newer, better batteries. The wheelchair will need a (simple) connection to the scooter. This connection should also lift the caster wheels (front wheels) off the ground, so they do not interfere with the ride. This connection should ideally be built with off-the-shelf parts, so it will be easy and cheap to build your own. The connector should use the scooter's seat attachment, so every scooter with this type of seat (ie many) are compatible. Want to help? So you want to help? That's so cool! You could help think about a solid, easy to use and cheap to build connection. I will be uploading a number of photographs, check out https://www.patreon.com/heycrip for more information about the project. And to find more technical info, see the tech project page at heycrip: http://heycrip.com/scooter If that seems to complicated (or you just don't feel like thinking technical stuf at the moment :P), check out https://www.patreon.com/heycrip for others ways to help out! You will get our undying love and eternal gratitude, as well as mentions in heycrip's videos and website! And once the plans are available, everyone who uses them will be in your debt, and you will know that you have helped many achieve a greater level of independence. You cannot put a price on that, now can you? If you have an old but working electric scooter that you care to donate, get in touch with us so we can arrange it's journey. If it all works out, we can hook it up to a wheelchair and then give it away, either in a raffle or maybe to someone with the needs for one, but without the means to get it! So this is not a finished story but it is not just a call for funds either. I don't like begging for money so I won't, and I will go on with the project regardless, just with my own money and it will take longer :P. If you can help in any way, that will be greatly appreciated! Keep an eye on heycrip to stay updated with the project (and other projects that promote independence for us crips). If you have any questions be sure to find us on https://www.patreon.com/heycrip and ask us anything!

Author of book series featuring special needs characters Romeo Riley Teacher, author and guest blogger, April M Whitt, takes us on her journey with ‘Romeo Riley’ and his wheelchair. There are no limits to the trouble this private eye encounters! The day the writing appeared on the wall was the day…Romeo was born! On August 31st we celebrated Romeo’s birthday! That was the day he was delivered to me by my publisher. (I told her she was also now an obstetrician!) But the idea for him, and the beginning of the book actually happened at school one day. I’d been writing silly stories about some of my students (many of whom have CP.) The kids loved hearing the stories I made up about them. Also, we’d been reading a popular funny book in our class. The students enjoyed the humor—but I wondered how much they could identify with a character whose life was so much different from theirs. I began looking for funny books that had characters who were like my students–but I didn’t find many. So I wondered if I could create one. I didn’t want it to be a teaching tool; I just wanted it to be fun. I wanted my kids to have a hero (even if he’s a comical one.) And I wanted the world to see that kids with disabilities are still kids who have fun and live fulfilling lives. The character of Romeo is sort of a mixture of students I’ve known over the years. Fellow staff members have also shown up in the books. But in a way, I think Romeo represents all of us. People identify with him because he makes goofy mistakes. And like most of us, he really tries to do the right thing. I’m just starting my 20th year of teaching this school year. The majority of those years, I’ve worked in the exceptional student environment, and particularly high medical risk. Most of the kids I’ve known and loved use wheelchairs for mobility and eye gaze or simple signs and/or communication devices to express themselves. Fortunately, I’ve been able to keep some of the same students for several years, which is valuable because sometimes it takes a while to know someone. It takes time for students to open up and time to develop relationships with families. I think trust is the biggest issue. I may not always do the right thing for you or for your child, but I hope I can be an encouragement. I’m so impressed by the courage of parents and grandparents who give so much of themselves in the care and well-being of their children. And I can only guess at how hard it must be to walk away and leave those precious kids in the hands of someone else to care for them each school day. Or, if you, yourself have a disability, I hope something like the “Romeo” series can bea positive and bring more acceptance to our communities. When “Romeo” first came along I was worried I might offend someone. I didn’t want to make light of someone having a disability. What I really wanted to express was this “joy” in living—a thing so many of our kids possess in spite of their problems. I wanted to express that “thing” that keeps us laughing and keeps us coming back for more. I know my kids understand a lot more than they can tell me. And when they laugh at the punchlines, that’s when the sun breaks through! Over this past summer I worked on a project I hope will become a new series. It doesn’t have a special needs hero this time; instead, it has animal characters. This series will be for all abilities (just like The Romeo Riley Series.) But if people keep enjoying the series, I plan to do a new “Romeo” book in the future. It is my hope that Romeo will continue to have birthdays and keep making people smile. And if Romeo can bring a bit of adventure-or invite a distant world to into his for a moment—then Romeo has done what he set out to do. After all, he’s Private Eye, Romeo Riley isn’t he? And there will always be mysteries for him to solve, and loved ones he’ll want to protect.

Our surf-able story My son Teo (12) has a muscle disease that prevents him from running or walking like other boys of his age but there is one environment were he thrives, the ocean. Since early age, he loved to enjoy the sea, playing in the waves, diving under the white water. Although not being able to stand on a surfboard he soon realized how fun it is to just boogie board. And how fun is that, lying on the board and be pushed into head high waves. Travelling around the world Being myself a surfer I wanted to let Teo discover the world and beautiful waves of Biarritz, Zarautz, Canaries or South Africa. But as we struggled to easily find accommodations that really suited his needs, we decided to launch Handiscover, the first online booking website dedicated to us with limited mobility! Now we enjoy surfing as an entire family all around the world. Search, book and enjoy! Now, we can finally take Teo and the whole family to Cape Town, Reunion Island, Guadeloupe, France and many more destinations. Check it out: www.handiscover.com

Cerebral Palsy When I was born, I did not breathe for 30 minutes and as a result, I was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. In my early years, I was told that I would never walk or talk. However, I was also born with incredible determination to achieve my goals. Sport has always been a huge part of my life Growing up I always had a passion for sport, and was always involved with any sports going on, often resulting in bumps, scrapes and bruises but I'd just keep getting up. I have been able to represent my state in 3 sports, Athletics, Tenpin Bowling and Football (Soccer). In addition, I have completed 7 marathon events. I'm very proud to be able to represent Football Queensland at a national level and am working hard to obtain a spot in the Pararoos (the Australian Paralympic Football team). Education and Career After leaving high school, I was determined to start tertiary education, although I had no idea if I could achieve this goal. But, with determination and plenty of support, I completed my Bachelors degree and graduated (probably the proudest moment of my life!) Happily, I obtain a full time position in the industry that I love. My Dreams and Future I'm lucky enough to be a volunteer coach and mentor at the Brisbane Paralympic Football Program, this is the highlight of my life, being able to share my experiences to improve young people's lives. I dream big and I believe that I was put on this earth to teach, inspire and help other achieve their dreams and goals! With hard work and commitment, I dream to be an inspirational speaker and share my story with others who have different abilities. My Message Never give up on anything you believe in! Always work hard, even when it's hard work, because there is always success when hard work and dedication are present! Dream your own dreams and believe in yourself. There's no one that will ever push you harder or give you more courage and strength then yourself! If someone doubts you, prove them wrong because you are the one that can do whatever you dream of! I truly believe the biggest 'disability' in the world is the perception of someone with a different ability! So go out and change society, prove that there is NO disability in this world that we live, only different abilities!

This Little Girl of Mine This little girl of mine, Abigail, has come a long long way. Born at 25 weeks, she was immediately intubated via endotracheal tube, sustained a stage 1 introventricular hemorrhage, born with practically no airway, severe trauma to her vocal chords, oral aversion, bilateral hernia, chronic lung disease, a PDA (hole in the heart), and a tracheotomy. She overcame the doubts and expectations doctors had about her. I left the traditional workforce to tend to her full time as her life depended on someone being with her 24/7. I'll never forget pulling off the freeway on Interstate 696 in Metro Detroit numerous times and having to do an emergency trach change because she was suffocating. I wasn't getting the right answers from doctors and so I spent endless nights trying to find the best in the world for her no matter what it took, even if it was the last dollar that I had. One night I wrote a letter to the pioneer of pediatric reconstruction airway surgery in Cincinnati and he told me to bring bring her in. He was a surgeon from the UK practicing in Cincinnati. That visit change the course of her life. He not only saved her life but improved her quality of life by reconstructing a brand new airway for her and getting rid of her trache. She's now five years old and a bright little girl at Keith Elementary.

My Life, My Terms with Short Bowel Syndrome I was born with Short Bowel Syndrome. I am one of those awkwardly blessed human beings that has had the opportunity to grow up with my illness. Oddly enough, I don't consider myself to have a disability. In fact, I don't consider myself to be disabled. In my eyes, I'm normal. I'm ready to face anything that comes my way just like any other "normal human being". Although my life hasn't been the easiest- plagued with hospital visits and surgeries, I've managed to be on top of my condition and ahead of the game. With that being said, I have managed to play contact sports, run track and field all with an ostomy. I have performed 8 shows a week Off-Broadway while rehearsing and living in a community center on 63rd and Broadway. I've never had the easiest life but I've also never allowed my condition to define me. I've never allowed it to be all that I am. I've had to take extra precautions with, but who hasn't? My goal is now to encourage people to take their illness or whatever you want to call it and don't let it define you. You define it. Many times our symptoms and the outcome are beyond our control. However, As long as we can remain in control, live our lives to the best of our abilities. I now spend time advocating for arts in education. When you look at me, you would never think that I'm sick. I pack my day full of influencing people, giving smiles, advocating for arts in education and playing music of all kinds for many different age levels. Along with music, I'm very fortunate to visit a gym, run, and occasionally play soccer with the kids I teach. Throughout the years I have tried hard to stay focused on all the things I do and want to achieve. I've performed in many major cabaret venues in New York City and have traveled the country using my voice and platform to inspire and educate doctors, nurses and other medical personal. I've tried to set myself up for success with all I do.

Living Life To The Fullest I grew up with a disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It weakens my muscles so that I am immobile on my own and pretty limited in my independence. But I also grew up with two amazing parents who believed in living life to the fullest, no matter what disability may lie in the way. They encouraged my wild heart, to go big and never give up, and I've been blessed with friends who love adventure too. So, when I decided to visit Europe this year, my friends were onboard right away. But the places we wanted to go were not wheelchair friendly. Not a problem! We left my chair at the Atlanta airport and my friends carried me in a backpack all over Europe for three weeks! The Trip We explored Paris and London; hung out with gypsy by the river; trekked through the woods of Churchill's hometown; and hiked an island to reach the 1400 year old monastery at its peak. Different Cultures Our culture tends to associate accessibility with independence, but I have found that the world opens up to us when we help each other out. It is more fun, more thrilling, and more fulfilling to pour into one another's lives than to try and go it alone. Friendship My friends and I are home, now, from our journey, but the adventure has just begun. We have more trips planned, and we are helping other disabled folks live out their dreams too.

Every Warrior Matters!-The Team Diego Story Diego Mercado was born as a congenital Amputee with the absence of his right Tibia and a deformation of his right hand, however this has never stopped him from being an average kid with above average dreams of being a Soldier just like his Father Jason who has served in the US Army all of Diego's life. "The challenges were probably more difficult for us as parents because we were always compelled to run to our baby whenever he stumbled and fell it was heartbreaking watching all of the other kids stare or point at him" Said Jason. But every time he fell, he learned how to get up and eventually he learned how to be proud of his limb difference. I'll never forget this incident Jason describes one incident, "I'll never forget when I took Diego to the park and as I was talking with another parent I saw a crowd of kids huddling around the area where I knew Diego had been playing, I immediately thought the worst!... I expected all out bullying and I rushed over."..."but when as I walked up close enough to hear the kids talking, I heard them say things like "That's so cool! and I wish I had a robot leg! ". Diego had a game of show and tell as he adjusted the liner in his prosthetic leg and he was totally proud of his leg. The kids curiosity was satisfied and they diverted their attention to a game of tag lead by the Diego. It's only natural that a boy aspire to be like his Dad and for Diego, being a Soldier just like his Dad has been a dream of his for as long as he could remember. Truth Jason, an Army Soldier, didn't want to hide the truth about his son not being able to join the military and wrestled with how to break the news to Diego. "You raise your children with the idea that they will grow up to be whatever they want to be, but I know how selective the military service is when it comes to being physically and medically qualified." All of that changed one day as Diego's school was asked to cheer on Veteran cyclists on their path through Fort Hood. Mrs. Marybeth Mareau, Diego's then Kindergarten teacher thought it would be a goof idea to have Diego ride tricyle up front where the cyclists would be rounding the corner. This would be a decision that would ultimately change then 6 year old Diego's life. The excitement filled Diego's face as sat on his red Ambucs tricycle and waved an American flag and he could see off in the distance, a large group of motorcycle riders lined up in a row. His excitement grew as the motorcyclists rode past, revving their engines loudly. Diego began looking over as someone shouted "There they are!". He looked over and saw the silhouettes of people riding bicycles, some seemed to be much lower to the ground than others. Finally the first wave past and as they past Diego, each one of them made an effort to high five the kids as they rounded the corner. Diego began noticing something was different about the cyclists with the fancy tricycles--They didn't have legs. The second year a 7 year old Diego got another opportunity to see those same cyclists again out in front of his school, but this time Diego wanted to show his support in his own way. He asked his Dad to buy him his own kids sized military uniform and he decided to wear it for this particular occasion. Again he saw the motorcyclists and the first wave of riders. But this time the cyclists began noticing Diego. As they rounded that very same corner they did the year before, one by one each cyclist began slowing, then stopping. One cyclist even presented Diego with a memorial bracelet of a fallen cyclists in hopes of passing the torch of inspiration. They all wanted to stop for a brief moment in time to meet the patriotic young boy in the Army uniform waving an American flag and proudly sporting his prosthetic leg. It was a day that Diego actually stopped an entire race just by being out there to show his support. Like Diego This time his Dad was there to see it all unfold and Diego quickly pointed out "Dad they have legs like me!" Immediately Jason saw the connection between the admiration Diego had for him, and his dream of being a Soldier. "At that moment, after I saw his reaction, and the connection he felt to those service members, I realized that maybe I didn't have to tell him that he couldn't be a Soldier." A Soldier in his own rights, Diego suited up in his Army uniform and began riding his red bicycle in 5Ks one event after another to help raise money for veteran organizations. In 2015 Jason organized a gofundme page that raised over $600 to purchase Diego his own AMX recumbent bike which was presented by an Air Force Veteran amputee. He was also given an updated Trooper Clothing uniform and everyone from his Dad's unit attended, including the Commanding General. In 2016 Diego and his family began Team Diego, a 501 C(3) non profit organization that seeks to bridge the same connection between injured veterans and children with disabilities. Their motto "Every Warrior Matters!" simply means that you can be a warrior in your own rights, given your own sets of challenges. "It's our mission to bring awareness to the unmet challenges of injured veterans and children with disabilities" but Jason points out that they are more than that. "We hope to inspire kids to overcome their challenges, just the same way these service members do and conversely we hope to reconnect injured veterans back to the community by showing them that there are kids out there that still hold them in such high regard." Diego has progressed from riding his red trike and now runs with the help of his Ossur running prosthetic that he received in early 2016. He has had the opportunity of working out with many Veterans, Paralypic athletes and His story has been featured on the Todayshow.com, TDJakes.com, Miami Herald, Huffington Post, Pop Sugar, World Star and many other media outlets. Among all of the mental health conditions that service members face concerns such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Team Diego is an ideal source of motivation that gives them a source of hope and purpose. More information about donating to Team Diego can be found at www.teamdiego.org or by searching Diego4warriors on social media.

About me My name is Jwan and I am from Saudi Arabia. I'm 5 years old and I was born with Spina Bifida. My family is my main source of inspiration and strength. I have big dreams and capabilities and I will be a great person when I'm older (remember that). I would like to give a special thanks to my family and doctors for all of their love and support.