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Little did I know that this trip was going to change me forever My name is Lior and I am 42 years old (SCI C6 Tetraplegia). About 12 years ago I took an outdoor cycling trip vacation with my brother and some friends. Little did I know that this trip was going to change me forever. As we were riding one day, I fell off my bike, and my spinal cord was severely injured due to the fall. This was especially tough, as it happened at the beginning of my PhD studies. After rehab and hospitalization, I decided to continue as planned and I graduated in biophysics mastering all of my scientific professional courses. Currently, I am involved in many ventures that are combining my experience in both science and people with disabilities and innovation developments. I understood that I have to leverage my technical abilities to contribute to this "new way of life". When I look back, my biggest accomplishment has been the blossoming of my family, my beautiful wife and amazing four children, who are the joy of my life.

Look at our boy walk without aids We were told when Jett was born he'd never walk! Boy how he loves defying those doctors. Since his last operations in November/December he has recovered extremely well and can now take about 8 steps without his aids. It brought tears to my eyes to see this the first time. He is a determined child with alot of go about him. Since Jett has been born he has made me look at life differently and changed me for the better. Jett has his own Facebook page JETT THE SUPERBABY. Please go follow his page to raise awareness of his diagnosis SACRAL AGENESIS meaning the bottom of his spine is missing and effecting all the lower part of his body. My Instagram page is @aimzelizabeth05 and follow Jett's journey on that too.

She has the kindest heart & loves everyone This is my daughter, Alissa and… SHE CAN! Alissa has sacral agenesis. Despite this, she taught herself to swim. She also enjoys hand biking, playing baseball and bowling. She has the kindest heart and loves everyone! Here she is crossing the finish line in her second triathalon!

I am the first Jordanian who has gone diving and climbing Hello everyone, I'm Abdel. You can call me “ABOUD”. I'm a wheelchair user and I consider myself proud and happy that God choose me. I have been with my wheelchair since 1998, and I have never been sad since that time. I believe that my wheelchair has made me a stronger person. I am the first Jordanian who has gone diving and climbing. I am now a tour guide who takes people with disabilites to Petra and Wadi Rum. They are the first group to ever do this! If you are interested in going, please message me!

Cancer took my leg but it didn't take my mobility and strength Hi, Im Asha. At age 21 I was diagnosed with Oestoscarcoma, a bone cancer which later took my foot above the knee. Before I was diagnosed with cancer it was hard mobilising because my knee was swollen and bent which took my confidence. By the time I was diagnosed, the cancer had already spread to my lungs but luckily it was caught early. I had nine months of chemo-therapy and four surgeries. I have been in remission from February 2016. Cancer took my leg but it didn't take my mobility and strength! I'm happy as can be and grateful for my supportive family friends. I can do whatever I put my mind too... so can you. Don't let your disability limit or discourage you!

Empowering crutch users to carry essential items Daisy Bermudez had recently broken her femur and found herself using crutches for 8 weeks. She was living alone at the time and noticed that whether someone is using crutches or a walker, there is no easy way for the user to carry food or drinks without spilling. The US Census revealed that 4.8 percent (11.6 million) of US population uses a cane, crutches, or walker to assist with mobility. Her team of makers, developed a cup holder that can attach the crutches and carry hot cups, cups of beer, or any other beverage she is interested in drinking.

A specialized wheelchair for children with disabilities. Phuong Uyen is beautiful little 4-year old girl with severe cerebral palsy living in rural Vietnam. Her limbs are very weak and she’s unable to move. She can’t control her head and neck which causes scoliosis. She can’t sit, self feed, or walk. She has to completely depend on her mother and grandmother. Uyen’s family came to the TOM community looking for a chair that would be suitable to support her spine, adjust its size (height, width) for her growth, be flexible for different usage, and be made from a material that would provide good air circulation for extended sitting. A wheelchair costs $2000 on average and must be replaced every two years, the family currently only earns $300 a month. Uyen's team of Makers designed a special wheelchair that can support her body and expand as she grows.

Mobility and independence Born without arms, Kim struggles to grab objects outside of her reach. Kim is extremely independent and works full time as an administrative assistant. This simple and elegant mouth-controlled mechanical Grabber designed at the Bay Area Makeathon extends her mobility and independence. Since the Makeathon, the Grabber has been adapted to various uses such as: typing on a laptop, playing chess, gardening, operating puppets and more…

A small machine that turns pages using an office rubber band Sefi Udi, is an Industrial Designer and is also quadriplegic. He reached out to the TOM community to ask for help in developing a system that will allow him to turn pages in a book. Makers working with him offered to “hack” a kindle so the pages could turn with a blink of his eye, but we can all agree that reading from a kindle is not the same as reading from a book. The Accessi Book is a small machine that turns pages using an office rubber band wrapped around a wheel and a small holder that was 3D printed. This product costs less than $50 and can be self manufactured by any maker.

I'd say I'm very lucky to be here today My name is Ailsa and I have Cerebral Palsy. I wouldn't say that my disability is severe because I can do a lot of things. Here's one thing that I can do: I can use my feet to operate my computer; I find this quite easy. My type of Cerebral Palsy is called Quadriplegic (affects all four limbs) Athetoid (uncontrollable movements) Cerebral Palsy and affects every muscle in my body, apart from my heart, luckily. My right arm is affected more than my left. I can hardly use my right arm because my muscle tone is worse in that arm, and I have more involuntary (uncontrollable) movements; also it has become weaker over the years. I like to be as independent as possible, but there are some things I need help with. If you asked me, I'd say I'm very lucky to be here today. People often feel sorry for me and that makes me feel unhappy and awkward because I am who I am and I can't change that. I don't want anyone to feel sorry for me just because I have Cerebral Palsy. If I didn't have C.P. I wouldn't be the person I am today and I wouldn't have met some of the awesome people I know! So please don’t feel sorry for me. My blog: http://ailsas.wix.com/brainsonwheels

I chose to no longer be the victim I was an active 21 year old college student when I began experiencing symptoms of Spinal AVM for the first time while out for a run. I had my first resection surgery only weeks later. We were told it was a success but shortly after, while pregnant with our second child, I began to experience symptoms again. Surgery was not an option until the pregnancy was farther along. By the time surgery was safe for the pregnancy, too much damage from the Spinal AVM had been done on my spinal cord. After two major surgeries, a new "disability" of paralysis, a new born baby, and two years of rigorous physical therapy I was left feeling defeated and broken. After hitting rock bottom and plenty of time spent pitying myself, I chose to no longer be a victim. I began to see my wheelchair as a tool that I use to accomplish my goals, instead of an embarrassing limitation I was burdened with lugging around. I'm now competing in local triathlons, volunteering in the local rehab hospital with new spinal cord injury patients, working towards a degree in counseling, and raising my two very healthy toddlers with my husband!