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I was the first and only quadriplegic in the world to compete professionally Late on the evening of June 1, 1994, I was on a mountain road in Eastern Utah, when my motorcycle collided with two stray horses. I was flown via life flight to a local hospital where I was classified a quadriplegic, permanently confined to a wheelchair and paralyzed from the chest down with limited use of my arms and hands. In February of 2003, I started competing professionally in the extreme sport of rockcrawling and off-road racing. I was the first and only quadriplegic in the world to compete professionally in those sports. In February of 2009, I raced and finished the legendary King of The Hammers off-road race in Johnson Valley, California as the first and only quadriplegic. Although we finished 33 out of 92 teams, I never gave up and crossed the finish line in 9 hours and 56 minutes. It was the most physically, brutal race I have ever raced. Being able to inspire others as a Motivational Speaker, has definitely been the highlight of my life.

He can do anything! My son was born without a left hand, we found out at our 12 week scan. Since then life has been a great adventure of learning about being limitless. People have been quick to tell us what he might not be able to do, or ways he will have to 'adapt' but the reality is he is able to do everything, somethings just look a bit different. We had been told he may not crawl but he has proved them wrong recently by doing just that. He can do anything!

This resulted in me losing all of my 10 fingers Hi, my name is Mor Sapir and I'm 25 years old. On October 2014, I survived a snow storm and avalanche in the Annapurna ridge of the Himalaya Mountain in Nepal. Three of my expedition friends died there, and I had the luck to survive and come back. This resulted in me losing all of my 10 fingers in both of my hands due to snow freeze/burn injury when trying to save my own life in the snow. I made a list of all the things I want to do, and started planning with my friends how to tackle each of these issues This limb loss injury was very dramatic for a basketball player and bicycle rider like me…. After a long period of hospitalization and challenging rehabilitation, I started to search for assistance in trying to solve daily problems which there were no efficient solutions. I made a list of all the things I want to do, and started planning with my friends how to tackle each of these issues. This resulted in becoming a sort of inventor, that would end up not only helping me but others sharing the same limitations as well!

The diagnosis was that I was never going walk or move a finger or live a happy independent life Hi, I'm Misha. I was born with a rare condition, Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC). The diagnosis was that I was never going walk or move a finger or live a happy independent life. Joke was on them, I'm a 32 year old blogger that has lived in 5 different countries, traveled the world, got married, had tons of fun and live a very happy, independent life. Today, June 30th, is AMC awareness day. Please help us raise awareness by wearing blue, taking a selfie and using the hashtag #BLUEFORAMC on social media, let people know that AMC can defy the odds and be awesome! Your support can make a change the life of a child and help them find the support that is much needed in a rare condition like this one. Thank you so much!

I saw a flash and heard a loud BANG Before my injury, getting up to go to the gym or play basketball was almost a daily task. Believe it or not, the more active I was, the more relaxed I’d be. Some people would come home from work and watch television to unwind, whereas I’d change into some shorts and go to the gym. Unfortunately for me, that all changed on a Monday night in January of 2006. I had just pulled into my driveway, with my two sons, and was headed towards my front door when, unbeknownst to me, I would be met by a person holding a .40 caliber pistol. I saw a flash and heard a loud BANG….I fall to the ground and yell to my kids to run. Two weeks later, I woke up in a hospital with my brothers by my side. I ask them to help me up so I can go to the bathroom, but neither of them would move. Instead, they’d look at each other and tearfully tell me that I couldn’t get up because I was paralyzed. I refused to live the rest of my life in the house After spending 5 months in the hospital and going through a year of outpatient therapy, I told myself that I had to make my move; I refused to live the rest of my life in the house. I refused to have people treat me as though I couldn’t do anything for myself. I refused to feel sorry for myself and allow people to pity me and treat me any differently. I just can’t do it. But right when I got ready to let my front casters roll out of the door, I was hit with something I didn’t see coming, fear. I was no way near as strong as I was, and being a quadriplegic, I am unable to use my left hand. In addition, what if someone sees my leg bag or I have an accident while working out? Every bit of confidence I had instantly disappeared. What can I do? I literally had to “keep it pushing" What I did was thought about what my mom used to tell me when I was a child. She would tell my brothers and me to be the best at whatever it was we decided to be. Well naturally I didn’t decide to be a quad, but since this was going to be my new lifestyle, I was going to live it to the extreme. I literally had to “keep it pushing.” Day one at the gym felt strange. No matter how hard I worked out, my face and clothes were just as dry as they were when I arrived. Because of my injury, sweat is pretty much nonexistent. I couldn’t allow myself to get discouraged or push myself to the extreme, so I took some time off to do some research on different types of exercises I can do and to see if there was any adaptive equipment I could use that would make things easier for me. Go back to the gym....you got this! Thanks to YouTube and some help from my old therapists, I got what I needed. It was time for me to get busy. The more I went, the more comfortable and confident I became. Is it easy working out in a gym being in a wheelchair, no it isn’t. Is it challenging, yes it is. I have gotten back to the point where I’m feeling at home in the gym. I put in my earbuds, turn on my music and let myself go. Whether I’m working out alone or with a partner, I make sure to give it my all, but not to overdo it. I love the gym and I am glad that I am once again able to relax and unwind the best way I know how. Once you decide to get it going, keep it going because you will not only feel the satisfaction from being active, you will make things a lot easier for yourself. Go back to the gym....you got this!

I am dedicated to making myself better than I was before I was a runner, athlete and personal trainer all my life. When competing for a fitness competition in 2012, I got an infection that almost took my life and ended up taking my legs. I am dedicated to making myself better than I was before and using my challenges to overcome my perceived limitations and to help others do the same. There is nothing that we cannot be or do if we are simply willing to get up and fight for it every day. I am currently training to run once again and ultimately at an elite level along with writing a book and public speaking. Be your own hero and help others become their own as well. There is a hero inside all of us.

הכל אפשרי! היי! אני ויטל זינגר, בת 30 מישראל. מיד אחרי הלידה אובחנתי עם נוירובלסטומה - סרטן ילדות נדיר. בגיל 3, ניתוח בעמוד השדרה שלי הציל את חיי אבל השאיר אותי עם שיתוק חלקי. הרופאים אמרו שלא אלך עוד, אבל ההורים שלי לא ויתרו ולאחר 3 שנים של טיפול כימותרפי ופיזי אינטנסיבי, סוף סוף יכולתי לשבת ולעמוד באופן עצמאי, ואפילו לעשות כמה צעדים עם סיוע - כנגד כל הסיכויים! מאז אני חיה את חיי בידיעה שעם רצון גדול ועבודה קשה, הכל אפשרי! ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!! Hi! I'm Vital Zinger , 30 years old WheelGirl from Israel. Soon after birth i was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma – a rare childhood cancer. At the age of 3, an operation on my spine saved my life but left me with a Partial paralysis. The doctors said that I won't walk, but my parents didn’t give up and after 3 years of intensive Chemotherapy & Physical rehabilitation I was finally able to sit and stand independently, and even to make a few steps with assistance – against all odds!! Since then I live my life knowing that with great will and hard work, ANYTHING is POSSIBLE!! לוחמת מלידה כילדה השתמשתי בקביים כדי ללכת, אבל כשהייתי בת 12 גיליתי את החיים הנפלאים על כיסא גלגלים, מה שאיפשר לי להיות מהירה יותר ועצמאית יותר. תמיד הייתי נחושה להצליח, תמיד מחפשת את ההרפתקה המאתגרת הבאה ואף פעם לא מסתפקת בדרך הקלה. לאורך כל חיי נאבקתי על זכותי לחיות חיים מלאים ולקבל הזדמנות שווה לממש את הפוטנציאל שלי בדיוק כמו כולם, וסירבתי לתת לחוסר נגישות וחוסר מודעות להגביל אותי ואת היכולת שלי לחוות את כל הדברים המדהימים שהחיים מציעים לנו. שירתתי בצה"ל בטייסת בלקהוק. סיימתי תואר במשפטים וממשל במרכז הבינתחומי הרצליה והתנדבתי באגודת הסטודנטים, ארגון הלל, אחוות AEPI, יזמתי ופיתחתי פרויקטים חברתיים מדהימים נוספים, רצתי לכנסת להילחם למען זכויותיהם של אנשים עם מוגבלויות. זו לא תמיד משימה קלה להילחם, אבל אם רוצים לשנות דברים לטובה - צריך להיות פרואקטיביים. A born Fighter As a child I used crutches to walk around but when I was 12 years old I discovered the wonderful life on a wheelchair, which enabled me to be faster and more independent. I was always determined to succeed, I'm always fishing for the next challenging adventure, and I never settle for the easy way out. Throughout all my life I fought for my right to live a full life & to have an equal opportunity to fulfill my potential just like everyone else, and i refused to let lack of accessibility and lack of awareness to limit me and my ability to experience all the amazing things life offers us. I served in the IDF at a Blackhawk squadron. I graduated law and government at the IDC Herzeliya while volunteering at the Students union, Hillel organization, AEPI fraternity and initiated & developed many other amazing Social projects, I ran for the Knesset to fight for the rights of people with disabilities.. it's not an easy task to always fight, but if you want to change things for the better - you have to be proactive. יצירת השינוי שאני רוצה לראות בעולם בין היתר, אני מותחת את הגבולות שלי כל יום בתור אתלטית תחרותית; נלחמת למען שינוי חברתי כיזמית ופעילה חברתית ובעבודתי כעורכת דין; מעבירה הרצאות בנושאים כגון נגישות, כוללנות, העצמה, יזמות ומנהיגות, שבהן אני חולקת את מסע החיים שלי, חוויות ותובנות כדי להעצים, להניע ולעודד אנשים להתגבר על המאבקים שלהם בחיים. אני חיה את החיים שלי בניסיון מתמיד ליצור את השינוי שאני רוצה לראות בעולם ואתם יותר ממוזמנים להצטרף למסע שלי! creating the change I want to see in the world among many other things, I push my boundaries every day as a competitive athlete; I fight for social change as an entrepreneur and social activist and in my work as a lawyer; and I give lectures on issues such as accessibility, inclusivity, empowerment, entrepreneurship and leadership, in which I share my life journey, experiences & Insights to empower, motivate and inspire people to overcome their own struggels in life. I live my life trying to always create the change I want to see in the world! and you're more than welcomed to Join My Journey!! Insta: @vitaldance FB: @zinger.vital

Reece defeated the odds and proves himself everday Reece is an 8 year old active boy who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 2. We were told by all his doctors that we would face lots of challenges throughout his life including social skills and that communicating with others might be difficult. Ha...! Reece defeated the odds and proves himself everday, and especially this day out on the field! He was able to listen, look, and get on first base by himself! My other son’s 10 year old baseball team took Reece in as one of their teammates and treated him like every other boy! They never made fun of him because of his speech nor did they judge him for who he is. Autism can't define him. He defines Autism.

Nothing in this world can prevent me from doing such beautiful things I am Emir and I am a 3 years old munchkin. I love to play, to dance, to swim and to paint. I also will start Kindergarten soon. Nothing in this world can prevent me from doing such beautiful things. There is this thing called Cerebral Palsy in my life, which slows me a little bit down but it aint stopping me! Mom tells me to look on the bright side of life. One should better follow mommy's advices :)

I struggled thinking I needed two hands to play anything I really wanted to My name is Brian and I was born without the lower half of my left arm. All my life I have loved music and wanted to play it. But I struggled thinking I needed two hands to play anything I really wanted to. I started playing the trumpet, which only took one hand. I finally worked up the confidence to try drums. That’s when my music teacher told me “you can’t play drums, you lack two movable wrists.” My mother’s response to her was “oh what does she know, you can do anything!” That was all I needed and 15 years later I am still hitting the drums harder than ever. I've played all over the country and hope to all over the world. Music is a universal language you can show the world regardless of what you were given you can make it happen. Rock On.

Little did she know that this medicine was classified as a part of the thalidomide family that left hundreds of thousands of children with birth defects My name is Steve Howe. I was born with a birth defect that left me missing my right hand. When my mother was pregnant with me the OBGYN MD gave her some medicine to subside her prolonged nausea called Benedictine. Little did she know that this medicine was classified as a part of the thalidomide family that left hundreds of thousands of children with birth defects. I grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada with my father, mother, brother and sister. My brother raced motocross every weekend and that is where my love for motorcycles began. When I was three years old, I remember my father bringing home a blue ItaliJet, a yellow pair of Suzuki riding pants, an open faced DG helmet and a red chest protector. As I anxiously waited to ride my motorcycle we had to overcome a few obstacles first. One of the obstacles was switching my throttle to the left side and making it twist the correct way. That didn’t pose too much of a challenge as my father and one of the local rider’s father (Tom Hart, Carey Hart’s dad) fabricated a throttle for me. The biggest obstacle was more of a challenge. How was I to hold on? This was more difficult to solve as we tried several different devices. One of the contraptions was a holster that allowed me to buckle my hand into it. The problem was, when I crashed, it would drag me along with the bike. As we tried several different concepts none of them seemed to be effective. I eventually just put a wristband on and shoved my right wrist through the handle bar and front break assembly. This seemed to be the most sturdy and safest way to hold on. As I raced motorcycles from age 3-16 years of age, I accomplished many goals that seemed to initially be unachievable for a kid missing his right hand As I raced motorcycles from age 3-16 years of age, I accomplished many goals that seemed to initially be unachievable for a kid missing his right hand. I was a nominee for the top youngest riders in Las Vegas, I was sponsored by Team Green Kawasaki and ranked number 3 in the Western Region. I placed in the top three in my motocross class multiple times throughout my racing career. When I was 16 years old we moved to Colorado, which did not allow me to race anymore, as it was not a local sport in that part of the state. I stopped racing for approximately 16 years. As I grew older, I focused on college, a career, getting married and starting a family; however, my desire to ride never diminished. At the age of 32 I started riding again and I grew even more passionate about the sport. As I started to get more comfortable and confident, I started racing in local races. I was winning the intermediate classes that grew my confidence. The more my confidence grew, the more I raced and loved it even more. In 2012 I raced Mammoth and qualified in 6th place out of 40 riders in the first heat. My journey along the way with my handicap has been a journey that I am proud to say I would not change a thing Now at the age of 35, I am a Registered Nurse with my Master’s Degree in Nursing and Healthcare Education. I am in a position to help others during vulnerable times in their lives. I knew motivating and helping others was something that I wanted to do from an early age. With some encouragement from my patients, family and friends, I won the 2013 extremity games which are extreme sports for people that are missing limbs or are paralyzed. With a broken scapula I also raced the 2013 X-Games in which I placed 5th. In 2014 I raced the “Rally and Race of Heros” which supported disabled veterans that lost limbs while fighting for our Country. During this race I placed 1st in the upper limb loss category and placed 3rd overall following close behind Doug Henry and Mike Schultz. My journey along the way with my handicap has been a journey that I am proud to say I would not change a thing. I have learned so many things, met so many inspirational people and have been able to inspire and motivate others myself. I feel we all have a special place in life and I have found mine. Being a father, husband and avid motocross racer. I have been able to walk with my head held high continuing my journey to be the man I was brought here to be.

Looking at the glass half full despite having a rare disease My name is Yoav. I am the co-founder of yoocan and the father to Erez, an amazing boy who was born with a rare disease and complex disability. When Erez was born, we didn’t know what to expect. The odds were against us and the doctors were pessimistic. We understood that we needed to focus on his quality of life rather than try to fix him through uncertain surgeries. Once we started looking at the glass half full and searching for his small accomplishments and positive strengths, his beautiful soul came out and also his abilities. Today, Erez learns in a high-functioning class in a special school. He is also a helpful carpenter to me and I see that this passion helps him develop his motor skills and enforces muscle use and cognitive understanding. This activity also helps him feel a sense of accomplishment each step of the way. You can see in the photos that we are building a chair. We take each day slowly with a consistent pace. Like Erez, there are over 1 billion people in the world living with some kind of cognitive or physical disability, striving to live a better, more inclusive life, and fulfill their dreams. There are solutions and opportunities around the world that can help, so no one feels alone. That is why we created yoocan! We invite you to share your experience and knowledge and take part in our global collaborative community. Find out more about Erez on Instragram: @yoavgaon.