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About me: Venkata Said Ram Kandregula I am Venkata Said Ram Kandregula,24 years old & single working as a software engineer at Wells Fargo bank, which is one of the top U.S banks. I currently live in Hyderabad, India. Born with Pseudarthrosis When I was born, I had a problem called Pseudarthrosis. Doctors advised my parents to take care of me like fragile glass. When I was 4 years old, I fell 5 feet causing a fracture in my leg. I was able to walk a bit but later one more incident happened where I was playing with my father in the park. He wanted me to go on the slide ,accedentally other leg got fractured too. From then on, I couldn't able walk long distances. but that doesn't stop me having my dreams. Loving Family As a parent, everyone takes care of their child. My father also did the same. He used to take care of me a lot. He didn't even let me go to school, so my mother and grandmother homeschooled me. My aunt and uncle were also important to me and taught me math. School Life with Pseudarthrosis I started studying at the age of 7 and didn't give up. My doctor scolded my father to make me study from then on. My father even though being a middle class father, appointed a teacher for my studies. The teacher taught me well. We learned 3 classes quickly in 1 year. Competitive world The teacher suggested my father enroll me in school. Teachers and students in school a lot helped and I was one of the best students. I ranked 3000 in an open category of AIEEE in 2012 and completed graduation with a score of 75% . I excelled in every area, not just in my studies. Big Thanks I haven't had a chance to thank the people who helped me along the way: my childhood friends (Vinay, Avinash & Vamsi) and my school teachers, college lecturers, professors, and especially my dad, mom, and beloved older brother and sister in law. Hobbies and daily life In the morning at 6:30 AM, I hit the gym. My hobbies are watching movies, playing cricket, listening to music, playing chess, reading books, and learning new technologies. I can walk on my knees. I do most activities on my knees. When I go to the office, I use my wheelchair for further movement and return home in the evening and continue my work . Please do follow me on my accounts @mister.sairam and @its_4_us . I am an amateur mobilegrapher. 😉 My own Quotes 1)"Beware god doesn't give everything,you must be happy what he has delievred .Its your responsibility to work hard and to be happy" 2)"Live every moment in life as if you ever never lived before." 3)"When you had bad phase in life,lets show what best you can do in life" Cheer!!!! Thank you all... :) Please follow me @mister.sairam

Sebastian’s Life Sebastian was diagnosed with Spina Bifida, Hydrocephalus, & Arnold Chiari 2 Malformation before he was born. At the same appointment after the diagnosis, the doctors proceeded to tell us that he had little to no quality of life. His defect was so large that he would basically be paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair, no control of any of his body. They told us that our best option would be to terminate the pregnancy because the life he would now have would be one not worth living. Even knowing all of this we trusted in God & chose Sebastian. He’s now also been diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder & failure to thrive for poor weight gain/ height growth but, he is he proving everyone wrong. He is walking, thriving, stubborn, he is headstrong, determined! His life is full of purpose & we can’t wait to see all of the future accomplishments that are to come!!

Starting from the Beginning When I was little, I dreamed about becoming a professional soccer player. My parents always taught me that anything was possible and to follow my dreams. I played competitive soccer since I was 4 years old and I was very good. I had the athletic genes in me and at the time, nothing felt better than running on that field and scoring a goal, then locking eyes with my dad who was screaming and yelling and so proud of me. Then everything changed. I got sick. Crohn's Disease Struck I started to slow down in all aspects of my life. I was one of those kids who smiled and was happy and always moving. This all changed and I wasn't that same child anymore. My mom noticed this and she realized the horrible abdominal pain could be very serious. This was when I saw my first gastrointestinal doctor. This first of many. Finding Answers I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease at age 12. After seeing many GI doctors and taking medication after medication, there was no change at all. I looked and felt awful all the time. I was 5'7 and 70 pounds and I looked very frail. I went to the bathroom 15-20 times day and this controlled my entire life. Things needed to change and I was never going to give up on finding answers. Life Changing Surgery At age 18 I moved to Los Angeles to attend Cal State Fullerton and at age 19 I met the doctor who saved my life. She decided an ostomy was what I needed, to help me live a normal life. So I underwent a loop ileostomy surgery then later a total colectomy and flap surgery (Barbie Butt) and my life had changed forever. Positivity Until I had my ostomy surgery, I wasn't truly living. I still finished high school 12th in my class, participated in all the plays and got a drama scholarship, and played 4 years of golf, but I wasn't living. What I mean is I went through something that no person should ever have to experience. Something that made me always cry from severe pain and go through procedures and medications that caused my body to fight back. Do I regret any of it? Never. I am stronger because of my experiences and I believe there is nothing on Earth that we are given, that we can't handle. New Beginnings I do have a happy ending. After my first surgery, I did have 6 after from complications or various Crohn's Disease-related reasons, but I made it through. How? From the support of my amazing parents who have been at every single surgery holding my hand and telling me everything will be okay, even though they were scared to death. From my friends calling and writing letters and visiting me and from me. Me wanting a second chance to live the life I deserved. 11 Health Discovery I graduated from college and it was the biggest accomplishment for me personally after everything that had happened. I found a job at a company that helps support other ostomy patients and who actually cares about them. This was huge for me because most of the time, not everyone does care. I started as the first ever Patient Champion, now called Patient Coach, calling ostomy patients and telling them that they would never be alone again. Before I started at this company, 11 Health, I did feel alone. The Wonderful Ending I have Crohn's Disease and an ostomy and I had to deal with that not knowing anyone else like me. That has all changed now. I can now live the life I have always wanted and I can help make that new ostomy patient feel a little less scared like I did waking up from my first surgery. I no longer feel alone. "Smiling doesn't necessarily mean your happy. Sometimes it just means your strong."

My Crohns story Hope, strength, courage. Three small words with such impactful meaning. Hope—a feeling of trust; Strength—the quality or state of being strong; Courage—the ability to do something that frightens one. My name is Jessica Webber, and this is my journey to find the hope, strength, and courage within myself through some of the most challenging years of my life. My journey began back in 2006, when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. I remember that hospital stay like it was yesterday—being told I had a disease for which there was no cure. I was 12 years old, athletic, a social butterfly, and had never been sick before. Little did I know, my life was about to change forever. Drastic weight loss, severe abdominal pain, and significantly low hemoglobin were common indicators of Crohn’s disease that I’d soon become all too familiar with; they were the symptoms that started it all, marking a turning point in my life. Hard as it was, in the end, dealing with those symptoms made me who I am today. Holding onto hope Inflammatory bowel disease presents differently from person to person, being characterized as mild, moderate, severe, or falling somewhere in between. Unfortunately, my case resides on the severe end of the spectrum. Growing up, this meant daily oral medications, extended hospital stays, countless needle and IV sticks, multiple infusions of Remicade and shots of Humira, 9 surgeries—and a permanent ileostomy bag. Throughout all of this, I’ve held onto hope that I can live a fairly normal life with this disease, encouraged by my family and friends, as well as by my doctors and nurses at CHOP, and now Penn. I'm now happily married, in the best shape of my life, and helping others every day live their best life. I've learned my journey is special and its mine, I own it, and I'm so proud of it.

“So... why are you in a wheelchair..?” Hi! My names Abi. I’m a 24-year-old influencer and digital artist... I also happen to have a muscle wasting disease called Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. I wasn't always in a wheelchair. My mobility didn’t start to deteriorate until I was around 16 and I wasn’t diagnosed (or taken seriously) by doctors until I was 21. During this time I really struggled with the thought of possibly using a wheelchair. I thought my quality of life would plummet and I wouldn’t be able to cope with my new found disabled self. I had to look into why I thought this, and how society treats disabled people as a whole. Disability is often treated as a “dirty” word. Something to avoid. I want to change that. I want others with disabilities to feel comfortable in their own skin and to not compare themselves to others. We are unique and we are beautiful. Just. How. We. Are. Insta-lovin’ I’ve always been pretty candid when it comes to my disability, and that means posting about it on social media. When I became a wheelchair user, I started to post pictures in my chair. I was surprised to receive messages from other followers saying how it made them feel more comfortable, and that they loved seeing another chair user on their Instagram feed. This made me think about how little disabled people are shown in the media, and when we are shown it’s always a portrayal of sadness and little-to-no self love. I want to show others that disabled people can be happy, sexy and fashionable. I want to change how others see disability.

Defining accessibility Hi! My name is Mary. I am 41 years old and I have spastic hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy. I was adopted from Beirut, Lebanon at the age of ten months. I wasn’t diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy until the age of 2. The doctors told my mother to lock me away and that I would amount to nothing. Thankfully, she didn’t listen. I remember telling her at a very young age that my life’s mission was to speak up for those who couldn’t. It’s a mission I’ve carried into adulthood. That’s why I started a movement called @upgradeaccessibility. Doing the bare minimum to comply with accessibility laws is not enough. Ramps should not be poorly constructed or placed at backdoors. Bathroom stalls should have ample room to accommodate a wheelchair user. There’s so much work to be done, but this is my mission and I’m going to ensure it will be accomplished.

Man falls 50+ Feet March 26 2017 The day that changed the rest of my life. I went to Shoshone Falls in Twin Falls, Idaho to see the amazing waterfall. I went to the edge of the cliff to get a better view from where we were at. I then turned around and that’s when it turns into a blur. I was falling and remember hearing my phone ring. Then when I made impact my phone rang again. Thankfully I was conscious, it was my wife I answered the phone and told her I had fallen. I needed help she didn’t believe me at first, but soon realized I need help. She called 9-11 and Life Flight was on its way. The 1st person to respond was an off duty E.M.T. What are the odds? I was in critical condition but I didn’t realize it, as adrenaline was in full effect. I was stabilized and loaded into the helicopter. They flew me to the nearest Trauma Hospital (Saint Alphonsus). It was there that the true nature of my injuries was identified. I spent 18 days in the I.C.U. intubated. I had sustained over 23 injuries which included 11 broken ribs, broken humerus, 3 fractured vertebrae, shattered scapula and pelvis, fractured knee cap and multiple lacerations. In those 18 days, I underwent 14 surgeries to repair all the damage. That included putting my intestines back inside me. I then spent 3 weeks in rehab. That is where I first learned of my Brachial Plexus Injury. I was in a back brace, couldn’t use my left arm and couldn’t walk. I was in a wheelchair with one hand and one leg. That’s a whole new adventure. I spent multiple hours a day learning a new way of life. My Occupational Therapist (O.T.) taught me how to get dressed with an essentially dead arm that had no function. Fast Forward After getting released from the hospital, I was still in the wheelchair with the back brace. Spent the next several months seeing multiple specialists, flying to different cities seeing my options on saving my arm. With each specialist they could never give me a straight forward answer. Then one said, “ Well with 11 broken ribs most being on the side we would transfer nerves from, it would be a long shot of it actually working.” Those were the words I needed to hear. Soon after all of that my subclavian artery kept clotting, my vascular surgeon thought it would be in my best interest to go forward with an amputation. He didn’t want to do an unnecessary surgery to transplant a vein from my leg to my arm just to have it taken anyway. So that brings us to December 11, 2017. That was the day I had my arm Amputation scheduled for. We went in and were unsure the length I would be left with or if I would have enough blood flow for it to heal. The surgery itself was quick. My wife was going to send my dad in to see me and the nurse said: “ Oh, we are putting him in the wheelchair, you guys are ready to go home.” I had an Elbow Disarticulation, which is through the elbow. So I still have a full humerus. My life has changed dramatically but I wouldn’t change it for a thing. I’m beyond thankful to be given a second chance at life. I’ve met many amazing people because of my trauma that I might have never met so for that I’m Thankful. But most of All I'm Extremely Thankful to my FAMILY AND FRIENDS for being here through all of it.

Being an amputee in today's society My name is Soledad Rodriguez and I am from Argentina. I 'm 24 years old and I am a Law student. At the age of 21 I suffered a fatal traffic accident in which I had polytrauma and in the fight to save my life, the doctors had to amputate my left leg. After multiple surgeries, I am now in rehabilitation. I use an Ottobock prosthesis and I was invited by @jorgesafenraiter to be part of their staff of models @lafemme.models_of_photogry. With @jorgesafenraiter, we want to transmit a message to society to break the stereotypes of a "perfect woman" and show another kind of beauty that despite the blows that life gives us, you always comes out ahead.

The story of Thiago Josue & Leandro Jose We are Thiago Josue & Leandro Jose (@gemelos_guerrero) and we're 3-year-old twins. Our story is based on a testimony that love can cross all borders, We formed together in the same placenta and it was until 14th February 2015 when we were born and the Doctors realized the complications of Thiago who had multiple malformations of the skull and face, hydrocephalus, ophthalmic cleft, nasal, lip, and palate. So far he has survived 9 operations and although he has almost returned to heaven, his brother's love always makes him return to stay close to each other. Currently, Thiago requires new reconstructive surgeries, but each new day is a book to write for the love of twins. If you want to be part of our journey, join our story on Instagram.

Art is my medicine My name is Janeth Aceves (@yaniz_arte). I am Mexican & 28 years old. I was born with a rare disease called Klippel Feil syndrome and severe pulmonary hypertension. I need to use oxygen 24 hours a day in order to support my breathing. I am an artist and that the money I make from that helps me buy basic medical supplies to support my treatment. You can contact me on my social networks like Facebook: @Janys Acevez // Yaniz Art and Instagram: @yaniz_arte where I share a part of my history and my love story. I love & praise God. I am committed to life and myself. I the desire to succeed and am committed to a life with love and art and fighting my struggles.

Loving My Scars My name is Kimberly and I have a condition called hydrocephalus. It means I have extra fluid in my brain and for many people with this condition they need surgery. I had four brain surgeries before my 8th birthday but have not needed anymore since then. 😊 As much as I was thankful for my health, growing up I hated when people saw my scars or looked at me funny. It made me super self-conscious and I endured many nights in tears because of it. As I got older I realized it’s okay to be different and I use it as an opportunity to help young kids feel good about their hang-ups. I just started a page on Instagram called “What Makes You Different?” for people to show off their differences. It’s a page to embrace whatever conditions, scars, or disabilities we might have. It’s a page to bring joy to people who think no one else understands them. The goal is to create confidence for anyone who feels uncomfortable in their skin so they can show off what makes them different. I want to thank yoocan for starting this page and encouraging so many people out there. I would love to support everyone on their journey to positively change the world 😊

Choosing to Live with Neuro Myelitis Optica My name is Annabelle. In 2007 my body decided to attack itself with a rare autoimmune illness called Neuro Myelitis Optica (NMO). This left me paralyzed from the waist down with visual impairment. I have never let this stop me & will never let this stop me. I love to live life to its fullest. Anything can be achieved, it just might need to be achieved a little differently. Finding Balance in Life with Neuro Myelitis Optica I enjoy spending my time with friends & family, eating out, traveling & everyday wheelchair adventures. I also look after myself with daily meditation, Qigong, high vibe foods & exercise. A balanced mind, body & soul helps us all shine & be the best version of ourselves. Follow me on Instagram: @BellesWheels You can follow my adventures on Instagram @BellesWheels and/ or follow my blog: BellesWheels.com. Life is for living & loving ❤️ #nevergiveup #blogger #travelblogger #adventureblog #foodblogger #disabledblogger #lifestyleblogger #wheelchairlife #wheelchairtravelblog #accessibletourism #travelonwherls #rollinadventures #wheelchairgirl ##nmo #nmosd #awareness #chronicillness #chronicdisease #autoimmune #paralysis #blind #disability #disabilityawareness #travel #adventuretime #livelife #lovelife #ability #health #wellness #nevergiveup #nolimits #diversity #instagood #inspiration #motivation #determined #mightytogether #belleswheels