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T7 complete T7 completely fell off a roof on the farm in 2019. I am still working on the farm just in a wheelchair, I have a son, a wife, and 3 dogs still loving life. I am not giving up.

Meet Ian! He is 3.5 years old with a diagnosis of HIE (hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy) and cerebral palsy. He is also non-verbal and g-tube-dependent. Ian suffered a stroke in utero due to cord entanglement, which caused a lack of oxygen. Despite his diagnosis, he is one of the happiest little boys and lights up the room wherever he goes. He loves to play outside and spend time with his gait trainer. He is constantly showing us that he is capable of anything he sets his mind to and getting stronger every day!

Goals: Hi, my name is Tara. When I was 16, I was a passenger in a car accident that paralyzed me at T11/T12. In the beginning, I had no feeling or movement, but I wished that wasn’t the case. I missed walking to an extent, but I mostly just wanted to gain some sensation and movement back. And that’s what I got. I went from an ASIA A complete paraplegia diagnosis to an ASIA B sensory incomplete paraplegia diagnosis (although I also have some level of muscle control). I would’ve been content with a complete paraplegia diagnosis too, but that’s beside the point. I’m satisfied with where I am when it comes to ‘recovery.’ Walking isn’t important to me. What IS important to me is raising awareness for Spinal Cord Injury, limiting ableism by educating the public, and building a more accessible world. Walking is not better than rolling, and I love my wheelchair & disability! My wheelchair frees me, and I think it’s cute as hell! Ramps, curb cuts, grab bars, and elevators make cute accessories, don’t you think?

My joy to live is what makes me win I am Gabriel Paiva, I am 17 years old and I have Down Syndrome. My mother is a physical therapist and from an early age recognized the importance of stimulation for my maximum development. I was born in Cabo Frio and have always loved the ocean. I started surfing in 2019 at @instituto_somar. In that same year, I participated in several presentations at championships including the important WSL in Saquarema. I also participated in the statewide Cabo Frio Surf Pro in the adapted surf category, obtaining the 2 maximum grades and ultimately ranked first place. At the beginning of the pandemic, I really missed the ocean so, in August 2020, I started private lessons with the champion @victorribasoficial. I grew a lot as a person and as a surfer. To enhance my performance, I sought out alternatives to improve my skills. Today I skate, do Pilates, and exercise. Additionally, I train with teacher @chico_salgado, who just gave me my first custom-made surfboard! In surfing, I get to show that I face the challenges of my life with great passion. My biggest dream is to participate in championships and spread the joy I feel when I am surfing. Check out me riding the waves.

Meet Silas When you first meet Silas, or “Si Diggy,” as his family and friends call him, you can’t help but love him. His warm smile and sweet demeanor fill the room. He was born on September 10, 2016. His birth, however, was not free of complications. Because of this, Silas suffered some brain trauma, due to the lack of oxygen he endured. As a result of his birthing complications, Silas has a condition called mixed Athetoid Cerebral Palsy. Silas is a sweet, loving, and social five-year-old. He brings joy everywhere he goes with his bright smile. He is a very smart little boy, and he proves daily that nothing in this life is going to hold him down. Silas is currently learning how to use a Tobi Dynavox eye gaze talker and enjoys going To school and hanging out with his friends. He also has a passion for art and music 💚 Our family likes to encourage others to see with your heart 💚 it will see what the eyes can not.

Towards Grace As my father has said many times, “Good thing we didn't call you Grace.” As well as never knowing quite what to do with my lanky body I have also found it hard to find grace in other ways. “Grant me the grace to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” I have never been too good at the first part. I have spent most of my life learning to be strong and tough, which as it turns out can both be a strength and a weakness. This has carried over into my climbing. My determination to never complain, be the most enthusiastic, be cheerful at 2 am, remain level-headed no matter what the situation, prove to myself and the male-dominated climbing community that I was good enough, and make people want to climb with me. It seems to have worked – I am seldom without a climbing partner! This level of determination and energy has gone into everything I do, from my school work to my relationships. To always be in control. To always be self-reliant. A couple of years back I hurt my back climbing and could barely walk. One day I was in an op-shop in Wanaka and sat down on a couch while a friend was shopping. When I tried to stand up I was in such pain that I was unable to rise. An older gentleman saw me and helped me up, calling me “Flower”. I was mortified – I was a tough and independent woman, not a delicate flower! Later when I had recovered from the injury somewhat but was still unable to climb or carry a pack I walked up onto Fox Glacier with some friends who were going ice climbing. I felt highly embarrassed that I was not carrying a pack or climbing. I was desperately hoping to not be spotted by any climbers! I did not want to be seen as the 'useless' girl who made her boyfriend carry her stuff. Over the past year, I have been suffering from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and have been struggling to care for myself on a day-to-day basis let alone climb. A month or so ago I was having a sifting (relaxing) weekend in Arthur's Pass with a friend. I decided I was up to a short walk and we chose to go to Punchbowl Falls. After multiple breaks, I got to the top of the first small set of stairs and knew that was as far as I would make it. My friend offered to piggy-back me the rest of the way and I enthusiastically agreed. I did not even think about what other people would think if they saw us. I just enjoyed the ride. It appears that Grace may be slowly sneaking up on me. I am not a climber I am not a climber, though I really, really enjoy climbing. I am not an ecologist though I study ecology. Being sick for the past year and thus being unable to climb, and now unable to study, has highlighted this important distinction for me. I have found these limited definitions of myself to be quite damaging and constricting. It has led me to feel inadequate and a lesser person for being unable to fulfill the criteria to realize these identities. I have spent many months just waiting to get well so that I can go back to my old way of life instead of enjoying the present moment. I read recently in an old Climber magazine an article by a woman who had injured herself climbing and seriously struggled with being incapable of climbing to the point of depression. I have similarly seen myself and others become lost when unable to fit into a specific identity. Parents feel lost when their children leave home, and retired people become depressed after quitting their jobs. I have friends who have told me they would rather die than no longer be able to climb. It scares me. What am I? I am a living being composed of millions of other beings, histories, and happenings that took a whole universe, 14+ billion years of history, to come out just the way I am. Isn't that enough? I think so. Of course, I miss climbing. And I very much hope to climb again! I have routes planned for when I get well. But I also know I am able and will continue to be able to live a happy, fulfilled, and meaningful life even if for some reason I never climb again. So, what are you?

Scared and afraid June 29, 2021: My first Rituximab infusion. I cried myself to sleep the night before, I cried on the ride over to the infusion center, I cried entering the room, I cried as the nurse set me up for my 5-hour infusion, I cried as my dad left the room, I cried when I woke up from being knocked out by Benadryl, I cried when I realized I was the youngest one receiving an infusion in the room, I cried when I registered I would have to do this all over again every 4-6 months for at least 2 more years. I still cry to this day. Hopeful Honestly, 2021 has been a shit year but I am relieved that my kidney biopsy results showed what was causing my many symptoms. On June 8, I was diagnosed with Microscopic Polyangiitis (a form of vasculitis) and Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, both rare diseases. MPA is a condition that results from blood vessel inflammation, which can restrict blood flow and damage vital organs and tissue. MCTD is a rheumatic disease that has features shared by lupus, scleroderma, polymyositis or dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis. Although there is no cure for either of these diseases, I am thankful to have a treatment plan consisting of immunosuppressant therapy that will hopefully allow me to live a more functional and pain-free life and put my vasculitis into remission.

Living with Severe ME Hi, I’m Katie (@katie_andm.e), I’m 17 and I live with severe ME. Since birth, I have been easily susceptible to infections and viruses. At 13 I caught shingles and never recovered. I was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, an illness affecting many systems causing a wide range of debilitating symptoms. Doing too much can cause huge setbacks due to the lack of energy production at a cellular level. There are no treatments, only pacing which is the act of staying within your energy limits. My illness fluctuated, at times managing full-time school, at others unable to attend at all. Things were running normally until September 2020 when, after finally managing to start horse riding again, I fell. Whilst there were no severe injuries I experienced a lot of soft tissue damage. My body was left unable to recover properly due to the ME as well as worsening existing symptoms. I lost movement, muscle strength, and feeling which I’m still slowly building. I spent 7 months in the hospital, the last 4 were completed on a neuro rehab ward learning movement. Unfortunately, due to a lack of understanding of ME, I was pushed too hard. My illness became even more severe. Since leaving the hospital I’ve been able to pace more in a better environment and find professionals who truly understand the illness and realize the evidence of an organic disease. This has helped me know what’s happening and what I should do. I’m rarely able to get out of bed, due to the illness, its symptoms, and lack of an appropriate wheelchair. I can’t sit upright, stand or walk. There hasn’t been tremendous amounts of improvement. I’m still reliant on full-time care and need help with most tasks. I can’t leave the house, I haven’t since coming home in April 2021. But I’ve adapted life to still do things I like. I appreciate the little things. I find joy in myself. This picture is not my every day, you can find me in the same room with the curtains closed alone doing some simple crafts. I’m sharing my journey on Instagram educating about ME and its debilitating reality. I am meeting amazing people and hopefully helping some feel less alone.

Being wired differently can be hard, but also be cool if you embrace it. Hi, my name is Martin, I'm 30 years old and live in Denmark. I'm autistic, and I also have AD/HD and Tourette's syndrome. Being autistic I've always felt very different from most people, and I always struggled a lot to connect or socialize with others. I got diagnosed at a psychiatric hospital school and then put in special-ed for autistic people at around age 11. For a long time, I struggled a lot and rejected my diagnosis because I really wanted to fit in and be "normal". I became very good at masking (hiding my neurodiverse traits), but it was often really draining to pass for "normal" on the outside... Not being open about my disability to myself or others made things even more difficult, and it resulted in me getting depression and feeling alienated from myself. I've learned a lot about neurodiversity over the years, and after embracing my own neurodiversity, life has gotten a lot easier for me. By working with it instead of fighting it, I've found myself and got a lot of support. I also found an awesome job that not only accommodates my needs but also uses my neurodiverse traits as an advantage. Some of my good ADHD and autistic traits would consist of Recognizing certain visual and auditory patterns, but also stuff like hyperfocus, thinking out of the box, and being creative. I take the good with the bad, and I have no doubt that I have some useful skills because I'm different from other people. Today I'm very proud to say that I'm on the autism spectrum, and I've been featured in documentaries and on TV where I try to advocate for other people with disabilities. I also have a blog on Instagram called A_Different_Spectrum, where I try to spread awareness and insight into what it's like to be wired differently.

Moving Mountains Hello, my name is Grant, I don't look at having Autism as a disability, but more of a challenge. It makes me work harder to move those mountains that so many times block my path. Most kids dream of being popular in school, having lots of friends, and joining all the clubs and sports programs they can, but for me, I know with my anxiety and fidgeting habits I needed to understand what makes me happy and look for other kids who have the same hobbies and interests that I have. Socialization is the key to building confidence in a person, kids learn from their peers, and kids like myself with Asperger's have a hard time going out of the box. We are more of rule followers, we like structure in our lives, and making decisions and trying new things is difficult for me even today. I struggle with this, but between my family and a strong support system of friends, every day seems to get easier. There are many levels of Autism, which is why it's called being on the spectrum, I fortunately fall on the high-functioning level of the spectrum called Asperger's. On the other hand, my cousin falls on the other end of the spectrum and is nonverbal. So I consider myself a lucky person because Autism has introduced so many amazing people into my life. I would like to bring more Autism Awareness to other kids and families through my life stories. Hope you enjoy my posts.

My journey in a nutshell Hello, my name is Julia (@mommyandm.e) 🙋. I'm a 30-year-old mother with M.E., living in Germany. My illness started out mild almost ten years ago and got worse over the years due to wrong diagnoses and advice. My main symptoms are extreme fatigue, post-exertional malaise, muscle pain, and brain fog. No amount of willpower and pushing through will help me get rid of this. The opposite is the case: In order to be able to still function to some degree, I need to pace and rest. I experienced a lot of medical gaslighting and sexism from medical professionals. So I want to advocate for people with chronic illnesses, educate them on topics like M.E. and ableism, and show what my life looks like. It has become a quite restricted life, that is still full of love and happiness.

House on the sea foundation help PWD Surf House in the sea is a Israeli NON Profit built from ocean lovers and ex IDF marines. Their mission is to make change for people with disabilities and minorities through inclusiveness in water sports. Built from amazing group of young supporters they help kids with disabilities to enjoy ocean sports activities and social interaction. Erez Loves surfing Erez and all the family have joined this amazing bimonthly fun activity that just keeps generating smiles and laughter. The sea is big and so is the love shared by all that are coming to give a hand at their free time. Geared up with a special divers suit by #Dugit diving experts nothing stops Erez, cold water or rain. When it’s time to surf the toughest prevail! My recommendation is to look for such activities like LRO in the U.S , toils be surprised how the water feel and salty air sets your body and soul free! Join the fun: https://www.sea-home.org/ https://www.dugit.co.il/