Search

I started the Stand Up and Play Foundation to make my dream a reality Hi, I’m Anthony. I started playing golf in South Africa when I was just five years old. I turned golf into a business, eventually teaching the game all over Europe. In 1994, a drunk driver hit me while on my way, ironically, to a South African golf tournament. The accident left me a paraplegic, seemingly ending my days on the course. Not being the type to give up and stop doing one of the things I loved most, I started to work on a way to play golf again. After over a decade of research and development, I came up with the Paramobile. The Paramobile takes the basic function of a wheelchair, and adds a lift that puts the rider in an upright position. The chair makes it possible for paraplegics to enjoy sports as they once did. My goal is to get as many paramobiles on golf courses as possible. I started the Stand Up and Play Foundation to make my dream a reality and I invite you to reach out to me if you have any questions or are interested in getting a paramobile for yourself or your local golf course!

Although I was offered to be fitted for a prosthetic several times as I grew up, I refused every time I was born without my left forearm. Growing up, my parents and sisters supported me every step of the way. They shaped my attitude toward my limb difference, showing me that I am stronger than any obstacle that comes my way. My parents played a big part of this, never asking IF I could accomplish a new task, but HOW I would overcome it. Although I was offered to be fitted for a prosthetic several times as I grew up, I refused every time. Fast forward to High School. Through these four years I really found my confidence; I played Volleyball, Basketball, and both the Trumpet and Baritone in band. My senior year, I was crowned one of the 2013-2014 Waverly Ambassadors. Two years later, I was crowned yet again, as one of the 2015-2016 Wright County Fairest of the Fair Ambassadors. Finally, my biggest accomplishment, I was accepted into the Nursing Program at my college. With one semester down and two and a half years still ahead of me, I am more determined than ever to overcome every obstacle. I hope to inspire others who have limb differences to have confidence in themselves and their own abilities. Everything is possible if you have a good support system!

The main lesson it is important to take the good out of any situation life throws at you I was born profoundly deaf and with macrodactyly, a foot condition which meant the doctors thought it would need to be amputated, as well as struggling through other ailments, such as dystonia as a child. The doctors thought I wouldn't be able to walk or talk, but thanks to my determined family and countless of hours of therapy I proved them wrong. As well as wearing a cochlear implant which has enabled me to speak and hear quite well, combined with having five surgeries, with the last one being done by a fantastic surgeon from England, who was able to save the foot. I am now currently competing in dressage, both in the para and open events, aiming to be the best I can be, it's relatively early days in my dressage career but I'm looking forward to what the future holds. Alongside this I am finishing my final year of school and aim to study at university, with the hopes of having a career in business. The main lesson it is important to take the good out of any situation life throws at you, and often it is these challenges that hold you in good stead for the rest of your life, making you more empathetic towards others, as well as installing the grit one needs to achieve their goals.

About me My name is Yair! I am an industrial designer and the founder of Handy bag which is a brand that designs and manufactures bags for wheelchair users. The inspiration for the project came from my lovely parents, my dad is a war veteran and my mom was diagnosed with polio, both of them are using wheelchairs. Also, I am one of triplets and I have an older brother. The solution is called the Dynamic Handy Bag The problem is that Traditional backpacks for wheelchair users are not accessible for them because they are located in the back of the chair. And so, they are simply not designed well enough to fit the user's needs and they don't look so good. The solution is called the Dynamic Handy Bag- witch is a dynamic backpack that the users can pull from the back side of the chair to the front and gives them full access to their belongings with minimum effort. Its also branded and aesthetic.

Stay open minded, always smile and take each day as it comes My names Keeley. I am 24 years old. In 2013, I was diagnosed with a chronic illness called Multiple Sclerosis. I was just 21 years of age. Yes this is a common disease more so now than ever. I have spent the past 3 years in and out of hospital and rehabs due to the intensity of the relapses I've had along with the damage. I've been lucky in the sense that my spirits have maintained at a high level. Each day to me is a blessing and another chance to do what I love; designing, making clothes, and painting. I've hosted various charity events and have met some amazing individuals along the way doing voluntary work once a week at the hospital. I've recently started modeling after gaining my confidence back. My advice is to stay open minded, always smile and take each day as it comes.

They would build a canoe By the early 1970s, many native Hawaiians had watched for decades as their way of life was slowly torn from their grasp. There were naysayers who failed to believe the original Polynesians were capable of navigating the seas unaided by instruments. The Hawaiian language had been widely replaced by English. The island of Kaho’olawe was caught in a tug-of-war between the U.S. Navy, which used it as a bombing range, and islanders who fought to defend their hallowed ground. Faced with the impending decimation of everything they held sacred, a bold group of men made a decision: they would build a canoe. "Malama Honua" The construction of Hokule’a, a 62’ long double-hulled Polynesian voyaging canoe, was the focal point of a cultural renaissance on Hawaii. Although the original intent was to see if Hokule’a could be sailed back to Tahiti without the use of navigational instruments (she has been several times), Hokule’a has since 2013 been on a worldwide voyage to share the message of “Malama Honua” (care for Island Earth). The present captain and crew sail as did their ancestors who discovered Hawaii aboard similar watercraft over one thousand years ago. They navigate the seas by reading the stars, interpreting clues from the wind as it blows across the sails, deciphering messages whispered by waves that slap the hulls, and calculating speed by counting how long it takes bubbles to float between measured points on their canoe. The notion that we are all interconnected While images of Hokule’a gliding across the open sea, her enormous sails reaching for the heavens, make the journey look romantic, in truth, the individuals who leave their jobs and families for weeks at a time to learn their ancestral ways are making extraordinary sacrifices. They risk life and limb in an effort to encourage all of us to be a little more kind, a little more thoughtful, a little more respectful. A little more like them. The notion that we are all interconnected, and that we all can “Malama Honua”, is present in the ceremonies and conversations and music and dance that accompany Hokule’a when she stops to visit cities and towns around the world on this inspiring voyage. The Aloha spirit Last weekend I met Hokule’a when she arrived in Alexandria, Virginia, and I learned that Hokule’a is not simply a canoe. She is a proud symbol of all that it means to be Hawaiian. She is tangible evidence of Hawaii’s reclamation of its core identity. Her journey is a reminder of struggles and challenges; a testament to those who ultimately prevail and triumph. Should you find yourself in the presence of Hokule’a or her sister canoe Hikianalia, don’t be surprised if your life, too, is touched by the Aloha spirit.

The accident I was injured in a car accident in 1980, because I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, my back was broken at T7. When that happened I thought my life was over, I’d never enjoy the things I loved. I was a bit of a wild child, loved adventure. I’d get a lot of that wild feeling while riding horseback as a young woman. Galloping bareback along the green pastured path with the wind in our manes. I always thought I must have been a horse reincarnate. Getting back into it The first time I rode again after the accident, it was pretty much a pony ride. I was lifted to the saddle, then led around the pen; I wanted to cry. Years went by before I heard of a “special” riding program near me; I started taking lessons. We would go for trail rides and to be out and off the pavement was invigorating. I sat tall in my saddle feeling the footsteps beneath me navigate the ruts and dirt. There is no describing the long lost feeling of walking, riding horseback is the next best thing. I need to ride Since then the road has been a slow but progressive one. I have tried different programs and learned so much from everyone. There have been favorite horses that passed away. My enthusiasm and dedication have never waned. Once when I fell off and it scared the heck out me, I remember driving home crying. I thought to myself, “What am I doing? I can’t even stand up and I want to ride horses? It is so dangerous!” My second thought was, “It all boils down to this: my world without a horse in it, is very small.” That day I made the commitment that even though it is a dangerous sport I need to ride. Thankfully therapeutic riding centers have my safety foremost. Sometimes I get agitated because of the safety measures, but at the end of the day I understand. Taking it to the next level No matter what the weather was outside, I was content to just ride around the arena, walking and stopping, and walking again. I enjoyed the companionship of the horse while the walking gently exercised my whole body. About five years ago I was inspired (pushed) by my riding instructor to take my riding to the next level. I thought she was crazy until I saw our US Paralympic equestrian team. Something inside me snapped I wanted to be part of that! Not too long after I flew down to Del Mar to watch the USDF National competitions. There I met coaches and riders who were getting ready for the 2012 Paralympics in London. I still wanted to learn more so I volunteered for the 2010 World Equestrian Games in Kentucky. I was in horsemanship heaven! Eyes on the prize Not too long ago, I was awarded a therapeutic saddle by the Challenged Athletes Foundation. My saddle that is made by only one company in Argentina has all the aides I need to ride well. The saddle is modified with a sturdy handle bar, leg straps, stirrup leather positioning straps, and a padded seat. After years of precarious balancing while turning and maneuvering, this saddle has enabled me to ride to the best of my ability. I still have a long way to go, but I still keep my eyes on the prize.

My own kind of Water Dance :) Hi!! I just came back from an incredible weekend in which I finally got the chance to FLY on the water, despite my spinal cord injury that has left me in a wheelchair. I am so happy that this dream of mine to water ski came true! It's already 3 days that I roll around with a huge smile and a sense of satisfaction that fills my heart even as I write these words… What a crazy feeling it is to succeed and overcome the challenge that you have set for yourself… I'm SO proud that I dared and succeeded in spite of all the physical difficulty… It was so worth it! I absolutely love this amazing feeling of accomplishment, and I KNOW that I'll never forget the sense of freedom and the wind in my hair on the first time that I danced on the waves! True, it's scary, it's challenging, it's physically difficult, but with the right guidance - it's an amazing and empowering experience that you simply can not miss! Go try it!

I have overcome many obstacles and each day of my life is challenge but I keep pushing Hi, my name is Tayone. I am 23 years and I live in Maryland. My life hasn’t been easy... From the day I was born it was a challenge because I was born with Cerebral Palsy. I was not able to walk until I was 6 years of age, and I have had over 18 surgeries and long days of physical and speech therapy. It was hard and extremely tough. Growing up, I received many looks like I was a monster and would hear people call me nasty names. I was bullied several times which led me to have many suicidal thoughts. All of this while being raised in a single parent home. I say this because everything I been through just made me more determined. I have overcome many obstacles and each day of my life is challenge but I keep pushing. My faith in god has helped me with this. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Computer Information System this past December. Always remember never give up, and to all the people with any disability, you are all in my heart and we walk this path together. I am looking for a job or to gain experience in the Information Technology area so if anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear from you.

The first no finger paddle breaks In 2015, I met a great group of industrial designers and makers that were gathered by the TOM Makers organizations. Their mission is to help people with disabilities find tailored made solutions to different causes. I really wanted to ride my bicycle and be independent again; the only problem was that I didn’t have fingers in both hands to stop break the bicycle and change up or down my gear. I pitched them, and in a 72 hour hackathon we designed the first no finger paddle breaks and paddle gear switcher prototype! It works really simple like our car driving paddle break. When I press down with my arm force the break works- same thing with the gear switcher. This new invention allows anyone with a limiation such as mine to enjoy riding their bicycle again and it's a really great feeling knowing that my limb loss is helping to spark ideas and create world wide solutions.

About TOM We're a global community of Makers helping people with disabilities (aka - 'Need Knowers'), develop open source technological solutions for their challenges! TOM Makethons Armed with a challenge, a makerspace, and 72 hours to find a solution, Makers and Need Knowers hit the ground running. TOM Makeathons are popping up around the world with a singular vision - to bring all the players together to create accessible and affordable solutions for everyday challenges. 10 STEPS TO ORGANIZING A TOM 1. Understand the TOM movement 2. Recruit volunteers and staff 3. Choose an accessible venue 4. Set the date 5. Secure local partners and event sponsors 6. Send out a call for challenges and Makers 7. Hire caterers, videographers, and photographers 8. Prepare the complete “TOM experience” 9. Assign Makers their challenges 10. Host a successful TOM Our partners Our partners represent a diverse range of leading global corporations, philanthropies and government agencies with a vested interest in technological innovation and rehabilitative resources. For the first time in history - we are collaborating worldwide, bringing together social activism, open innovation, and open source to develop solutions where market forces fail people with disabilities.

About A3i A3I Accelerator is dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurs that improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. Our purpose is to expand inclusion and participation by accelerating innovation of assistive technology. What makes A3i special? In A3I we believe that access to innovative assistive technologies and products can have a powerful impact on the independence and quality of life of people with disabilities. There are many accelerator programs in the world but none in the field of assistive technology. A3I is the only accelerator offering professional knowledge and guidance in this field, as well as connections to pilots and assistance in the implementation and integration process. Our Goal A3I will continue to innovate, engage more entrepreneurs, investors, companies and government to make assistive technology available to any person with disabilities in Israel. Our Partners The accelerator operates in partnership with PresenTense, Beit Issie Shapiro, The Ruderman Family Foundation and The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.