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Just Dance My name is Sara and I am 24. I was born with Spina Bifida/spinal cord injury. As I was developing one of my vertebrae grew jagged and severed my spine in the T12 zone. I have no movement or feeling from the waist down. However this hasn't stopped me from living and loving my life. With the encouragement and love from family, friends and my Heavenly Father, I know I can accomplish anything. I am currently in my last year at CSUF and studying Human Services. I want to help others know that they can live a full and happy life. I am currently on the Rollettes Dance Team and we are an all wheelchair dance team. I absolutely love it. Dancing helps me express myself in ways that I couldn't imagine. The connections I have made with each girl on the team is something special. They are not only my dance team, they are my sisters. They have helped me realize that it is never too late to find something you love and discover new ways to express yourself. A whole new world I not only like to dance, I love to spend time with my friends. We are all avid Disney-goers and bowlers. I have had the amazing opportunity to travel and experience things that some disabled people find impossible. I have skied, camped, jet skied, white water rafted, have gone four wheeling, played on a baseball team, learned to play tennis and took music lessons. I have my amazing parents to thank for all of these amazing opportunities. My family sees no disability and never has. They give me all of the same opportunities my siblings would get. Fight for your place in this world Growing up I always seemed to be the first person in a chair to do something. For example in school, from elementary through high school, I was the only person in a wheelchair to attend those schools. My mom and I were the first people to fight the battles that administration had not had to deal with before. I paved many roads for others in hopes that they would have an easier experience. There were many times that I had to fight to be somewhere or do something. I made it a goal to be heard and not pushed to the side. Just this past year, I was a manager for Target. When I took that position I was scared that guests or customers wouldn't take me seriously. I worked hard to make my place and earn respect from my employers and customers. I've taken what I have learned from that job and have applied it to my everyday life. I now know how to stand up for myself and not stand back in the shadows.

About me My name is Patrick and I'm a 37 year old man who grew up in New Jersey. I was born hard of hearing and later would become Deaf-Blind and Bipolar. It's been a long and at times painful journey but I feel deeply appreciative of my disabilities. They've been the greatest teachers I've had in my life. To this day, I swear to you that if you offered me a cure for my Deafness, Blindness or Bipolar disorder I would turn you down. My disabilities have helped me to cultivate an extraordinary life and I am grateful for my lessons learned. It hasn't always been easy. There were hearing aid jokes, "what?" jokes and crazy jokes along the way. Little did I know that the things people joked about would become some of my tools for empowerment. ALWAYS get back to it I picked up some other tools that helped me along the way as well. I learned American Sign Language (ASL) and Tactile ASL, which helped me earn a Bachelors and Masters degree in Social Work from Gallaudet University. I've also been practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) since 2008. BJJ has helped me learn not only a martial art, but how to find truth within myself. It's helped me find physical and emotional health and embrace all of who I am which has allowed me to cultivate a positive, happy life. None of these endeavors has been easy. In fact I have failed repeatedly. I don't quit, I regroup and try again. I tell my friends, your goals are like a race and you are the only competitor. Sometimes go fast. Sometimes go slow. Sometimes take a break. ALWAYS get back to it. The only way to lose the race is to stop. As long as you stay in the race, you will cross the finish line. With the right tools, anything is possible. Pursue your greatness. Perseverance + Patience = Success

Each day I am getting stronger My name is Trey and on March 5th, 2014 I was riding passenger to work with a friend. About half way to the job, an icy patch of road caused the vehicle I was in to hit a ditch bank and flip multiple times. I crushed c5-c7 with c6 getting the worst of it. As a result it left me paralyzed from the chest down also affecting the use of my hands and triceps. I had trouble breathing and couldn't even lift a fork or spoon to feed myself. It's been 2 years since the accident and I can now cloth my upper extremities, feed myself and lift weights (with special gloves). Although I can not walk or feel much of my lower half I am getting stronger and becoming more independent. I hope my story helps you to see that #yooocandoanything.

#Tajiasjourney My name is Tajia and I am a 17 year old kid born with cerebral palsy. I'm a normal kid my age who just loves having fun. I always have a smile on my face no matter what. Although I have cerebral palsy I'm unstoppable! I have overcame so many obstacles in my life and will continue to do so! Life with Cerebral Palsy may sometimes be hard but if I had the chance to take my cerebral palsy away, I wouldn't do it because I'm perfect the way I am!! Cerebral Palsy is the reason why I'm the strong inspiring young girl that I am today! I'm an inspiration to many and proud of it! My dream is to be able to walk one day and everyday I work hard to get there! Everytime I fall I always get back up and keep trying! My family's moto is "nothing is impossible". I'm just so proud of the way Jesus made me! Follow #tajiasjourney as I continue to show the world that nothing is impossible! I believe that you can do anything!

מחוץ לאזור הנוחות שלי שמי איילה כץ! חליתי בפוליו בגיל חודשיים. תמיד הייתי האחות הקטנה והחצופה (מבין 6 ילדים שנולדו בתימן). אף פעם לא יכולתי לשבת בשקט. כך הצלחתי לזכות בכמה וכמה מדליות במשחקים הפראלימפיים. זה התחיל ב-1968 במשחקים הפראלימפיים בישראל בהם זכיתי במדליית ארד בסיף ובזהב בכדורסל נשים. בברלין 1972 שוב במדליות כסף בסיף ובכדורסל. בהמשך בטורונטו 1977, בהולנד 1980, באנגליה 1984 ולבסוף בסיאול 1988 שוב זכיתי במדליות. כשכל זה נגמר, רציתי להמשיך לגלות, לטייל ולראות את העולם, אבל התאכזבתי מאוד. איבדתי את התקווה לנסוע. נסיעה לבד לא באה בחשבון עקב חוסר בנגישות בבתי מלון וברוב היעדים. פחדתי לעלות על טיסה שלא היה בה צוות מלא של עוזרים. יצרתי קשר עם מספר סוכנויות נסיעות בתקווה למצוא סיור נגיש לבעלי מוגבלויות, אבל גיליתי שזה לא קיים. אז נשארתי בבית. אבל, בשנת 2010 נתקלתי באקראי בחברת סיורים מונגשים ושם החלה ההתגברות האמיתית שלי וחזרה אליי שמחת החיים. הטיול הראשון שלי עם הקבוצה היה למרוקו. מאז לא הסתכלתי לאחור - היינו בירדן, תאילנד, הונגריה, קרואטיה, הודו, אתיופיה וב-4 נסיעות שונות לאיטליה. כן, זאת השמחה האמיתית. הסוכנות טיפלה בהכל עם הצוות הטוב ביותר והכל היה אפשרי - שטנו בקיאקים, רכבנו על פילים, אומגות, רפטינג, כדור פורח, רקדנו עם שבטים באפריקה ועוד דברים מגניבים אחרים. אני מכורה לסיורים האלה ולגילוי העולם, זה אפשרי עם החברים המדהימים שאני פוגשת בכל סיור ועם האנרגיה שאני מקבלת לאחר כל סיור כדי להמשיך! Out of my comfort zone My Name is Ayala Katz! I was struck with polio at the age of 2 months. I was always the young and cheeky small sister (of 6 children born in Yemen), always defying the house rules and expectations of me, until this day. But I could never sit still… this is how i got to win a quite few Medals in the Paralympic games. It started in 1968 in the Paralympic games in Israel I won Bronze in Fencing and Gold in Women’s Basketball. In Berlin 1972 Silver Again in Fencing And yet again in Basketball Silver Medal. continuing Toronto 1967 on to Holland 1980 then to England 1984 and Finally in Seoul 1988 again winning Medals... When all this ended, I want anted to continue to discover, Travel and see the world, but was up for a huge disappointment. I had lost Hope in travelling. To travel alone was out of the question due to Inaccessibility at hotels and most destinations. I was afraid to get on a flight that was not with a full team of helpers… I approached several tour agency’s hoping to get on a Handicapped accessible tour, but found out it was non existing. So i stayed home. BUT, In 2010 I stumbled across a life saving Handicapped tour operator and then began my true overcoming and joy of life was resumed. The first trip I took with the group was to Morocco. From then on I never looked back, We have been to Jordan, Thailand, Hungary, Croatia, India, Ethiopia and 4 different trips to Italy. Yes, this is the true Joy. This agency took care of it all, with the best staff and most important everything IS POSSIBLE, we do it all.. Kayaking, elephant riding, ziplines, rafting, hot-air ballooning, dancing with the tribes in Africa and many many others cool things. Im hooked to these tours and discovering the world , it is possible with amazing friends i met on each tour, and the energy i get after each tour to continue!

Mom, I want to eat my ice cream without your help ! My husband and I are parent of 4 adorable children. Ely, the firstborn, has the most severe kind of Cerebral Palsy. The diagnosis we got from the doctors was very negative… Due to the severe brain damage, Ely probably won’t be able to live in a regular way and the interaction with the rest of the world should be very limited. Indeed, during the first 3 years Ely seemed to be very passive front of the world and his communication very limited. Because of his motor limitation he was unable to move alone, to get dressed alone, to play alone, to eat alone… As parents we were worried about the situation and we didn’t know how to help our son in his challenges. Ely grew up and especially lunch time became very complicated at home… He didn't want us to feed him as his little sisters. At school too, front of his friends, Ely was ashamed to be fed… He wanted to pick the different food in his plate in the order and rhythm he decided… but he wasn't able to… Soups, yogurt, ice cream or mash potatoes were the kinds of food that were easier for him to swallowed but difficult and even impossible to eat alone. Every time he was trying to use a spoon, the food was falling on the floor before it arrives to his mouth… He was very frustrated... As engineers, we decided to create a special spoon that would enable our son to eat independently. Counter weights and rotation axes keep the spoon bowl level no matter what the user's arm position or level of tremor, preventing food spillage. Elispoon works without battery or charger; it is very easy to use it! Ely is now 8 and can eat alone. This autonomy gave him self-esteem and strength to other fights!

Changing the way the public views different. In no way do I find myself disabled. Just different. I was born a twin missing my right arm just below the elbow. The way my parents raised my sister and I we grew up living a completely normal life. Or as normal as it gets when you live on a farm with 14 horses at any given time! I have worked with, taken care of and trained horses for as long as I can remember. Growing up showing horses, competing against able bodied competitors, and winning multiple awards and championships I was never viewed as disabled by my friends and family. Now that I'm older and am working as a scuba diver at an Orlando aquarium I meet a lot of people from all over the world. A very commonly asked question is "how have you been able to cope and do so many things with your disability?" And I usually direct the word to my "limb difference". To me growing up this way I have learned to adapt and let nothing stop me. Except maybe the monkey bars... But whatever people tell me I can't do, I have a fire to prove them wrong. Aside from horseback riding I was a dancer for 7 years and competed at a national level. I also am scuba certified and love to dive and the ocean. I hope to one day be a motivational speaker for limb different children and adults and make a positive impact on my community and people around the world!

Of course there are days I struggle but I'm grateful for everything in my life Hey I'm Carissa! I am 24 years old from Alberta, Canada. I was injured as a passenger in a car accident at 16 during a school field trip. I sustained a C6/C7 complete spinal cord injury. After 6 months in the hospital, I returned to high school to graduate on time with my class. After taking some time to figure out what I was interested in, I then took the Education Assistant program in college and really enjoyed it. Being 7 years post injury, I feel like I wouldn't be the same woman I've become today if this injury hadn't of happened to me. Of course there are days I struggle but I'm grateful for everything in my life and hope to inspire people, with or without a disability.

I am a proud amputee I am Jhonna Von, 27 years old and a proud amputee! (above and below knee). I've been an amputee for the past 13 years. It is due to a vehicular accident involving a motorbike and a container van. Life isn't easy. I've been through ups and downs, struggles and difficulties. I've experienced a lot of pain (even until now), disappointments and frustrations. But that didn't stop me from moving on, continuously fighting and living this life. I surrounded myself with great people; family; friends and workmates who always encourage and empower me to be what I am today. And lastly, I'm always putting my trust in God's hands, because His plans are far better than mine. His great love and amazing grace are what kept me going on. I am Jhonna Von. I am a child of God and I am an overcomer. To God be the glory! :)

I believe we can cheer people up by setting an example as a fighter Hi, I'm Angel. I am 31 years old originally from Mexico, but now I live in Toronto Ontario. I was injured 5 years ago on a trip to my hometown in Mexico. These days I enjoy being active. I am a sports guy- I play tennis on Mondays and bike three times a week after work. I also enjoy going to the gym. I have a 5 year old baby boy who is the love of my life. I believe we can cheer people up by setting an example as a fighter. I try to do this each day.

My final year at school School has never been my favourite place, often as some of you guys may know having disabilities can often be very isolating and it can be very hard to find your place. Personally I have always struggled socially and in boarding school I felt I never really had anyone to turn to. However I used this adversity to drive me to excel academically. I managed to do well enough to get my Academic Half Colours (You need to get a B+/A average and maintain this for at least six months) and I managed to win the prize for being the top student in Global politics, this has also helped me find a hidden passion for politics! I am working towards getting a score high enough to get into the Bachelor of Arts (Hummanities) at Melbourne University, which is a fantastic university. Year 12 has been a whirl wind and there are many things that I would do differently, but shout out to my amazing family and some of my lovely friends, who have enabled me to be finishing school up well. However I learnt that you really use adversity to achieve success and more importantly gain a respect for yourself that you may not have had before.

Campaign to Change Sex, romance, and dating are hot topics in our culture. While I was getting my Ph.D. in clinical psychology, I noticed that they spread across race, gender, age, and various other demographics, but for some reason people with disabilities were almost completely excluded from this topic. When I began to date, I noticed myself stymied in a host of negative stereotypes. Asexual, physically unattractive, unmasculine/unfeminine, weak/dependent, and infertile are just a few. But, the other part of me felt like Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City but just in a wheelchair. I had no role model to talk to or ask advice from to help me through this discrepancy and this is what has driven me. We, as people with disabilities, have the exact same dating and sexual needs as the rest of the population. But we are highly likely to have been restricted in finding fulfillment in these areas. While there have been many campaigns designed to improve the lives of people with physical disabilities, very little attention has been paid to improving their romantic relationships. My mission is two-fold: change society’s antiquated perception of disability through major media. I started by winning the Ms. Wheelchair New York pageant. I went on to be the first model in a wheelchair to “walk” the runway at NY Fashion Week. Along with the many speaking engagements, modeling events, and interviews that I have done, I also had the honor of doing a TEDx Talk. This is the only TED Talk on disability and sexuality. Secondly, I built a therapy practice where I practice telepsychology, or seeing my clients over the Internet with Skype. I started my practice with the intent of making it easier for people with disabilities to attend therapy sessions. But, I have found that telepsychology makes it easier for all my clients, both with and without disability. My specialty lies in the areas of dating, relationships, sexuality, and disability. To read more about my campaign to change the negative image of people with disabilities and have our sexuality recognized by society, I welcome you to visit my website: daniellesheypuk.com