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S is for SNORKELING Snorkeling at Buck Island Reef National Monument is legendary, and although I did not get to see all the fish featured in the 2014 Telly award winning video “Caribbean Gem: Buck Island Reef National Monument”, I will never forget the clarity of the water, the size and abundance of the various types of coral, or the enormous parrotfish that live here. Turtle Beach, on the island’s west end, is pure paradise. T is for TRANSFER Transfer of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas from Denmark to the United States occurred on March 31, 1917, when the U.S. paid Denmark $25,000,000 in gold coin. The name of the islands was subsequently changed from Danish West Indies to Virgin Islands of the United States. Today, Virgin Islanders are considered U.S. citizens, but they don’t get to vote in the presidential election, and their one representative in Congress has a limited role. She is allowed to vote in committee, but does not get to vote on the final passage of bills. C is for CHRISTIANSTED Christiansted, on the north coast of the island, is one of the two main towns on St. Croix. The other - Frederiksted - is nicknamed “Freedom City” for its role in the slave rebellion and eventual emancipation that occurred in 1848. Frederiksted sustained much more damage from hurricane Maria, but it had better wheelchair access along its picturesque waterfront. The streets are wider and less congested, there are more curb cuts, and Fort Frederik, which operates now as a museum, showcases some of the island’s historic, artistic, and cultural artifacts. R is for ROLLING Rolling hills dominate the landscape on St. Croix. Measuring 28 miles long x 7 miles wide, it is the largest of the three U.S. Virgin Islands and is sometimes referred to as “the big island”. Point Udall, named for former Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall, marks the easternmost point in the United States. The views of Buck Island, open ocean, and surrounding hills are spectacular from Point Udall. Interestingly, the westernmost point in the United States is also called Point Udall. It’s in Guam, and is named for Stewart’s brother Morris, a U.S. Representative from Arizona. O is for OUSTING Ousting the evil spirits is no small feat for the Moko Jumbies. It is believed that the Moko Jumbies originated in West Africa and arrived in St. Croix over 200 years ago. While they originally were believed capable of seeing and preventing evil spirits from harming their villages, 21st century Moko Jumbies in the Virgin Islands attend festivals, weddings and other events as a way to maintain cultural traditions. Previously this tradition was passed down from father to son, but today there are female Moko Jumbies, too. I is for INDIVIDUALS Individuals whose assistance contributed to the fun I had on St. Croix - Mom; Francis Didier, our favorite cab driver; Bethany, Ortiz, Dion and CJ at Mermaid Beach; Steve and Danny at Big Beard’s Adventure Tours; Mike, Greg and Cory at St. Croix Ultimate Bluewater Adventure (SCUBA). Edith Wharton said it best - “One of the great things about travel is that you find out how many good, kind people there are.” X is for EXAMPLES Examples of the devastation caused by last year’s hurricane season can be seen from the air, land and sea. While some of the blue roofs visible from above the island are solid metal, others are tarps that have been secured with nails and small boards. According to one resident, the homes with the “FEMA roofs” still don’t have power. At Buck Island, a large section of elkhorn coral was covered in several inches of sand that was blown across it. Gradually the depth of the sand is lessening and islanders are optimistic that the coral may survive. In spite of all the loss and damage suffered on St. Croix last year, it is still entirely possible to have a wonderful vacation in America’s Caribbean. ...

My short story of living with OBPI I am Wynnikka. I am 22 years old with Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Injury (Avulsion) and I am from Canada. Some people ask about my injury and think that my arm developed like this from within my mother’s womb. Nerves in my Brachial Plexus were completely ripped from my spinal cord causing permanent damage that cannot be reversed even after undergoing surgery. My right arm and hand suffered the most damage and is significantly smaller than my left and turned inward. I also lost fine motor movement. There’s lack of circulation and I find my arm to be cramped up and in pain most days even with stretching and BPI exercises. The pain often radiates in to my shoulders neck and back. Since I overcompensate with my left arm, my left side tends to be in pain some days as well. הסיפור הקצר שלי על החיים עם פגיעה במקלעת הברכיאלית בילודים אני ויניקה, בת 22 עם פגיעה במקלעת הברכיאלית בילודים (קריעה) מקנדה. יש אנשים ששואלים על הפגיעה שלי וחושבים שזרועי התפתחה כך מתוך רחם אמי. עצבים במקלעת הברכיאלית שלי נקרעו לחלוטין מחוט השדרה וגרמו נזק קבוע שלא ניתן לתקן גם לאחר שעוברים ניתוח. ידי הימנית ספגה את הנזק הגדול ביותר - היא קטנה באופן משמעותי מהשמאלית ופונה פנימה. ספגתי גם פגיעה ביכולת המוטורית. יש מחסור במחזור הדם והיד שלי מכווצת וכואבת רוב הזמן אפילו עם מתיחות ותרגילים. הכאב מקרין לעתים קרובות על הכתפיים, הצוואר והגב. מאחר שאני מפצה יתר על המידה עם היד השמאלית, היא גם כן נוטה להיות כאובה לעתים. Growing up with with OBPI My parents had no idea after I was born with this birth Injury, so they felt very alone as parents raising a child with OBPI and they learned most things on their own. There was no moral support to help them through it. My parents tried their hardest to treat me like any other ordinary child and allowed me to do some things trying not to put any physical limitations on me, though I was already limited... as long as I wasn’t putting myself at risk of hurting myself. לגדול עם הפגיעה להוריי לא היה מושג לאחר שנולדתי עם פגיעת הלידה הזו, הם הרגישו בודדים כהורים שגידלו ילדה כזו ולמדו את רוב הדברים בכוחות עצמם. לא קיבלו שום תמיכה מורלית שעזרה להם להתמודד. עשו את המיטב כדי לטפל בי כמו בכל ילדה רגילה אחרת וניסו לא לשים עליי מגבלות פיזיות, למרות שהייתי כבר מוגבלת... כל עוד לא הייתי מסתכנת בלפגוע בעצמי. Sharing my experiences with OBPI Growing up I always felt alone with my OBPI because I knew NO ONE with the same condition as me. I felt like an outcast being the only one and my bullies never failed to remind me of it everyday, especially in elementary, taunting and mimicking me for being different than they were. I have struggled with self-confidence and self-esteem and I’m still struggling to learn how to ignore the words and actions of others who are ignorant and still making fun. I’ve also written a book to share my story as well! Writing my book, Keynote speaking, advocating for others with special needs and joining support groups and blogs has really helped me in finding support and connecting with others who are like me and understand what we go through, though we have our own unique journeys. I’ve never hesitated to tell others about my story and I love doing so! I also love learning about others’ stories as well! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share my story! Instagram: @wyn_inspires Book Launch Instagram: @bdalaunch.2018 שיתוף החוויות שלי מהפגיעה כשגדלתי תמיד הרגשתי לבד עם הפגיעה שלי, כי ידעתי שאין עוד אף אחד שבאותו מצב כמוני. הרגשתי מנודה והבריונים בבית הספר לא שכחו להזכיר לי זאת בכל יום, בעיקר ביסודי, כשהתגרו וחיקו אותי בשל היותי שונה מהם. נאבקתי עם ביטחון והערכה עצמית ואני עדיין נאבקת כדי ללמוד איך להתעלם ממילים ופעולות של אחרים בורים ומצליחה ליהנות. כתבתי גם ספר כדי לחלוק את הסיפור שלי! כתיבת הספר שלי, נאומים, תמיכה באחרים עם צרכים מיוחדים והצטרפות לקבוצות תמיכה ובלוגים עזרו לי מאוד למצוא תמיכה וחיבור עם אנשים אחרים כמוני ולהבין מה אנחנו עוברים, אם כי לכל אחת מסע ייחודי משלה. מעולם לא היססתי לספר לאחרים את הסיפור שלי ואני אוהבת לעשות זאת! אני גם אוהבת להיוודע לסיפורים של אחרים! תודה על ההזדמנות לחלוק את הסיפור שלי!

Linzey was never the "girl with Down Syndrome" "I remember it like it was yesterday. It was 2010 and I was walking up the basketball court in PE when I was first approached by Linzey and we talked about her nails. For the next two years of high school, I knew her as the girl with pretty nails. It wasn't until 2012 when we were matched up by our high school "Best Buddies" program that my life changed FOREVER. Linzey and I became best friends fast and life long sisters even faster. To me, she was never the "girl with Down Syndrome." She went from being the girl with pretty nails, to my buddy, to my friend, to my sister, and to my Maid of Honor. She is an encourager, a sass queen, a dancer, a pure joy, a "bird brain," a "pest," a "pain in the butt," and whatever other silly insult we've adopted over the years. She is never just the "girl with Down Syndrome." She is so much more than that. She has showed me the true meaning of friendship and I can't imagine my life without her." -- Allison Schlieder, Linzey's best friend, sister, and advocate

קצת על עצמי ותסמונת הטכיקרדיה התנוחתית אז אני מניחה שאני צריכה להתחיל עם קצת על עצמי; אני בת 23, עם משפחה אוהבת, חבר וחברים נהדרים! עזבתי את הבית כדי ללמוד באוניברסיטה לפני כמה שנים. מאז סיום האוניברסיטה עובדת במשרה מלאה עבור שירות הבריאות הציבורי (כן, זה אומר משמרות מפחידות של 12 שעות!) ואני גרה כמה שעות מחוץ לעיר מולדתי עם החברים שלי. במהלך הלימודים באוניברסיטה, לאחר פגישות רבות עם רופאים, בדיקות קרדיולוגיות ואנגיוגרפיות, אובחנתי עם תסמונת הטכיקרדיה התנוחתית. A bit about me & PoTS So I suppose I should start with a little bit about myself; I am 23 years old, with a loving family, boyfriend and great friends! I moved away from home to go to university a few years ago. Since finishing university I am now in full time work for the NHS (yep, that means the dreaded 12 hour shifts!!) and I live a couple of hours away from my hometown with my friends. Whilst studying at university, after many doctors appointments, cardiology appointments, angiograms and tilt table tests, I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (PoTS). אבחון תסמונת הטכיקרדיה התנוחתית להיות מאובחנת עם התסמונת הייתה ברכה וגם קללה. הוקל לי שכמו רבים מהרופאים אמרו לי אני לא רק "מדמיינת את הסימפטומים שלי", וזה לא נגמר ב"חרדה" (שהייתה האבחנה החוזרת ונשנית ביותר של רופאים רבים עקב היסטוריית הדיכאון שלי). הייתי הראשונה שקיבלה ביסופרולול בשל הטכיקרדיה המתישה שלי, קיבלתי 1.25 מ"ג, שבהדרגה במהלך החודשים הבאים עלה ל-10 מ"ג (המינון המקסימלי). למרבה הצער בשל לחץ הדם זה גרם לעייפות מוגברת, אני עכשיו על קוראלאן ומידודרין 4 פעמים ביום. אני מגיבה טוב לתרופות החדשות שלי וזה גם נתן לי תירוץ לקנות כמה משקפי שמש חדשים בשל תופעת הלוואי של הרגישות לאור! PoTS Diagnosis Being diagnosed with PoTS came as both a blessing and a curse. I was relieved that, like many of the doctors told me I was not just ‘imagining my symptoms’ and it wasn’t down to ‘anxiety’ (which was the most repeated diagnosis from many doctors due to my history of depression), I actually had something to work with. I was first put onto Bisoprolol due to my debilitating tachycardia, I was prescribed 1.25mg, which gradually over the next coming months increased to 10mg (the maximum dose). Unfortunately due to the hypotension this caused an increased fatigue, I am now on Ivabradine and Midodrine 4 times a day. I am settling well on my new medication, it has also given me an excuse to buy some fancy new sunglasses due to the light sensitivity side effect! לחיות עם המחלה הבלתי נראית שלי אני רוצה לומר שהתסמונת לא משפיעה עליי, אבל לצערי היא כן. אני גאה מאוד בהתקדמות שלי מאז האבחנה, למרות שכמו כולם, יש לי ימים פחות טובים. בימים האלה, אני מעבירה את זמני במיטה עם ספר, או נרגעת על הספה עם בקבוק מים גדול, הגרביים האלסטיים הסקסיים שלי, כף מלח ושפע של משקאות אלקטרוליטים - זו תמונה בשבילכם! לאחרונה למדתי שזה לא תמיד משנה אם את לא יכולה להשלים את כל מה שתכננת בימי החופשה שלך, זה בסדר להשתמש בשמפו יבש רק עוד יום אחד, זה בסדר לא להבריש את השיער או להתלבש, זה בסדר לדלג על עבודות הבית וזה בסדר לשים את עצמך קודם ולבלות קצת זמן עם עצמך. אין דבר שחשוב יותר מאשר בריאות גופנית ונפשית, כל השאר יכול לחכות. דבר אחד שאמא שלי תמיד אומרת לי כשאני נלחצת הוא 'איך היית אוכלת פיל?' והתשובה לכך היא: בחתיכות קטנות. קחו את הזמן עם דברים. Living with my invisible illness I’d like to say that having PoTs doesn’t affect me, but unfortunately it does. I am extremely proud of how far I have come since the diagnosis, even though, like everyone, I have my down days. And on these ‘flare’ days, I mostly spend my time in bed with a book, or chilled out on the sofa with a big bottle of water, my very sexy compression stocking, a tablespoon of salt, and plenty of electrolyte drinks- now there’s a picture for you! Recently I have learnt that it doesn’t always matter if you can’t complete everything you had planned on your days off, it’s okay to use dry shampoo for just one more day, it’s okay not to brush your hair or get dressed, it’s okay to skip out on the housework and it’s okay to put yourself first and have some "me" time! Nothing is more important than your physical and mental health, everything else can wait. One thing my mum always says to me when I get stressed is ‘how would you eat an elephant?’ and the answer to that is, in small pieces. Take your time with things, don’t use all your spoons in one sitting!

Live Life to the Fullest with Paraplegia My names David and I’m 26yrs old. I’m a t7-t8 complete paraplegic from Baltimore Maryland. In 2013 I got into hunting accident that changed my life. I started my page to show people how to live life to the fullest and to show them that they can still do the things they love to do. I love the outdoors hunting, fishing, and traveling. Live a life without limits. In order to live our lives without limits we must be willing to never let our imaginations die, and we must never forbid ourselves from dreaming at least a little bit everyday. The sky has never been the limit. We are our own limit. It's then about breaking our personal limits and outgrowing ourselves to live our best lives. In the end, we only regret the chances we didn’t take. All things are possible to those who believe. Never Let Go of Your Dreams.

My Princess: Taliyah Brown My daughter's name is Taliyah aka moo moo. She’s 10 yrs old, has Cerebral Palsy & she’s a fighter. I remember when the doctors used to say my baby wouldn’t do this but only god really knew. I’m here to tell you she’s proving the doctors wrong. She's just a happy bubbly kid and will always bring a smile and laugh to your face.

Mini introduction to me: Life as a Disabled Dance Graduate Hi my name is Tobi Green-Adenowo, I am 25 and live with a condition called Osteogenesis Imperfecta type 3. I have broken 75 bones in my life, I am also a care leaver and have been in the care system since I was approximately 3 months old and have moved to 15 different foster homes. I started dance at the age of 13 in my high school and was in lots of competitions whilst also training for the paralympics. I was told I wouldn't really amount to much and also not much was expected of me. Dispite this I left high school with 13 GCSE's all ranging from A* to a D, my passion for dance made me want to study it at this level and consequently I ended up being the first wheelchair dancer in the UK to change the curriculum of dance GCSE's so that disabled dance students could be marked fairly. I then went on the college and studied Performing Arts and recently graduated as a TV Broadcasting/ Dance graduate with an Upper Second Class. My dream now is to work towards having a TV Network for disabled actors, producers, singers, dancers and musicians. I know this will take time, which is why I am putting in the work and making those key connections with people in the TV and Media industry. I have been on the radio, modeled and will be in TV shows for different outlets soon, so please do keep an eye out for me. I am one of a kind and have a massive story to tell. עליי בקצרה: החיים כרקדנית עם מוגבלות היי, שמי הוא טובי גרין-אדנובו, אני בת 25 וחיה עם מחלה בשם פרכת סוג 3. שברתי 75 עצמות בחיי, אני מקבלת טיפולים מאז שהייתי בערך בת 3 חודשים ועברתי בין 15 בתי אומנה שונים. התחלתי לרקוד בגיל 13 בתיכון שלי והיו הרבה תחרויות ואימונים עבור המשחקים הפראלימפיים. נאמר לי שלא אגיע מאוד רחוק ולא היו ממני ציפיות. למרות זאת, סיימתי את התיכון עם ציונים טובים והתשוקה שלי גרמה לי לרצות להמשיך ללמוד ריקוד. כתוצאה מכך, בסופו של דבר הפכתי להיות רקדנית כיסא הגלגלים הראשונה בבריטניה ששינתה את תכנית הלימודים על מנת שסטודנטים לריקוד עם מוגבלות יקבלו יחס הוגן. לאחר מכן המשכתי ללימודים במכללה לאמנויות הבמה ולאחרונה סיימתי את לימודיי כשדרית טלוויזיה / בוגרת מחול. החלום שלי עכשיו הוא לעבוד על רשת טלוויזיה עבור שחקנים, מפיקים, זמרים, רקדנים ומוסיקאים בעלי מוגבלויות. אני יודעת שזה ייקח זמן, ולכן עובדת על פיתוח קשרים עם אנשים בתעשיית הטלוויזיה והמדיה. הייתי כבר ברדיו ואופיע בתוכניות טלוויזיה שונות בקרוב, אז בבקשה פקחו עין. אני יחידה במיני ויש לי סיפור גדול לספר.

Living a life with Cerebral Palsy Hello! If you are reading this, I want you to know that you are loved beyond all measure and that God has a wonderful plan for you! I have been trying to write this for six months, but lately if I’m not on the go, then I am trying to catch a few hours of sleep! There is something that has been on my heart lately. I was a little nervous about sharing this, but my hope is that you will consider what I have to say! I am going into my second year in my study of Children’s Ministry at Ozark Christian College! Although this is a “typical” part of the journey for individuals my age, some would say that my journey is a little different. I have Spastic Quad Cerebral Palsy caused by a birth injury. So, in addition to keeping up with school, this weird concept of sleep, and volunteer hours, I also manage a life of doctor’s appointments, procedures, surgeries, and the nature of dealing with a spastic body. But, what if these things that I live with aren’t so different? What if these conversations don’t have to be awkward? Aside from my call to Children’s Ministry, I have also felt lead since a young child to advocate for and share the Gospel with individuals with disabilities. A few months ago, I was honored to share part of my testimony with some of my classmates and I was surprised by what was laid on my heart as I spoke. For years I have been speaking with groups of people on what it is like to live with Cerebral Palsy and the importance of individual’s rights. But, I think what I have failed to do is share WHY I tell my story and life with a disability. I feel that it is time to give these moments of sharing a deeper meaning and clarity by answering the question: why? I believe that every person is given something big that the enemy could easily use to tear us down, but if we allow God to take control He will use it for His plan to glorify Him. This struggle is something that is unique to each person as part of their story and it cannot be compared to anyone else’s. For some it’s grief, or an addiction, finances, loneliness, confidence, self-harm, or a disability. This struggle is used for us to help others and even bring people together. Individuals who have dealt with a great amount of grief help others and prepare them as they walk through a tough time. Before this struggle was shown to be an outlet, the struggling person had to lean on others. My struggle was chosen to be my disability, but this is something that less people know about, so I advocate. My struggle is important and relevant in society just like everyone’s. Just as someone sharing about grief reaches out to others apart from those currently grieving to help all people; I also reach past the special needs community to help make a way for those discovering their talents through their valley. Through this gift I am able to share the strength and love of God. It’s not that this thing is different, it is just what God is using in my life and I am called to use and talk about it. My friends often ask me how I handle everything. I try to express that what I am going through is no different than what they walk through, it is just unique to me. They may not be able to understand how I walk through my situation just as I can’t understand how they are walking through theirs because the two were not meant to be cross examined. However, we are able to support one other through listening and tending to their needs. Our struggle was given to us for our unique purpose. So, as I advocate I am sharing my unique struggle to share God’s glory in the way I am supposed to. It is not something out of the ordinary or different, its just mine. Whatever your struggle is, I hope that you use it as a talent for God’s glory. I hope that you know whatever you are going through is valid and that you find someone to walk through it with. I hope that you know that God has a perfect plan for you! So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (Joseph says to his brothers after they had betrayed and mistreated him.) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20 This year I have learned to let others in when my talent is a valley. I am learning to embrace who I am and when I explain to others they embrace me for me. They embrace me for the talents God has given and the great love that beams off of me as an individual, not the struggle that the world tried to name me as. This year I have learned that I am walking with a struggle that is used for a talent, just like everyone else is and that’s pretty amazing. (The ladies in my dorm hall celebrated me and surrounded me with love by wearing green on World Cerebral Palsy Day in October). Pictured below are some of the girls on my floor taking a picture with me. This is a great example of the power of God's plan and how it brings people together!)

לפני שנה… לפני שנה נפתחה צלקת גדולה ודלקתית על הצלע השמאלית והגב שלי. ככל שחלפו הימים, דלקות התפתחו בגבי ואצבעותיי היו איומות ונוראות. כיוון שאנשים היו מביטים בי בשאט נפש הייתי נבוכה, נמלטתי לפינות, מיהרתי לשוב הביתה וישבתי מאחור. לא רציתי לומר, אבל כאב לי. כשאני מדברת על זה אני רוצה לכופף את אצבעותיי, להרוס את מוחי. קשה מאוד להיות כחושה ולא להיות מסוגלת להשמיע קול. אין שום דבר שאת יכולה לעשות מלבד לחכות שיעבור הזמן. קולות הטיק-טאק מהשעון וייסורים. אבל עכשיו? אותן עיניים כבר לא כואבות אלא נדהמות ממני. חלקן גאות, חלקן מקנאות. A year ago... A year ago, there was a large, inflamed scar on both my left rib and my back. As the days passed, inflammations dripping from my back and my fingers were both terrible and disgusting. Since people would look at me with disgust, I was embarrassed, escaped to corners, I went straight from the streets to the house, and sat in the back. I did not want to say, but I was in pain. When I say this, I want to rip off the slice, to bend my fingers, to destroy my mind. It is very difficult to be crushed under the gaunt and not be able to vocalize. There is nothing you can do other than wait for the passing of time. The sounds of tick-tock from the clock, will compete with agony, synthesize an army of breath. But now? The same eyes are no longer painful, but amazed at me. Some are proud, some are jealous. The painful eyes left the place with compassionate sparkle. I did this. I take the pride of night that I can not sleep because of the pain and cry for hours. Is it possible to be a better sign?

My Brother Has Cerebral Palsy My older brother has Cerebral Palsy. He cannot talk nor walk, but he is the strongest person I know. I have grown up basking in his light, understanding how there are people out there who have disabilities, who may look, talk or act differently than me, but who still deserve to be treated just like every other person. I have learned that not everyone has been taught this lesson. I have witnessed people making jokes or pointing at my brother or those with a disability. I have seen the disregard in the media to people with disabilities, and I have seen the ignorance first hand. After a lot of sadness and praying about the lack of humanity I have witnessed- I realized that these people were just unaware and may be uneducated when it comes to disabilities. Instead of retaliating in anger or sadness to these occurrences of ignorance, I have realized my brother would want me to fight it with spreading compassion and kindness and to teach these people about disabilities. Be Kind Bracelets I have prayed and prayed about what I could do to make a difference, to spread my brother’s message. I have thought of a simple bracelet that could become a platform for those, like my brother, who cannot speak their message, to be heard. I want it to be a reminder that everyone deserves kindness, even if they may look or act differently. I want it to be a virtual page where people can share their stories, tips and advice. It’s a movement, a campaign, a message, a blog, a simple bracelet, its an idea. BE KIND is a simplistic message with a whole lot of meaning. Its for humanity, its for my brother, its for you. Please follow us on Instagram (@bekind1993), and I would love feedback and tips to continue growing and spreading this message. With love, Sophie

How I started hang gliding The first time I went hang gliding was back in June of 2011 when I was twelve with my mom and brother for a meetup group event. I was put in a "body bag" type harness and then hooked up to the glider. The two options for hang gliding are either flying solo by running and jumping from a hill or ledge or flying tandem where a plane is attached to the glider and flies the student and instructor from the field and into the sky. Once we're high enough, the instructor will unhook the cord disconnecting the plane from the glider and we'll fly around in the sky for a little bit before heading back down to the ground. I've flown tandem all three times. The cost for tandem hang gliding is $100 per person plus an extra $25 for either picture or video. The second time I went hang gliding was last August when my mom and I were driving back home to Georgia from Indiana and I decided that I wanted to go hang gliding since we had to go by the flight park to get home, so mom called the park to schedule a reservation for on the way home and she paid for a 15,000 ft flight on my debit card along with pictures, even though I didn't see any pictures of me actually flying. Making this story happen I turned nineteen back in January and mom wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday and I said hang gliding, we had to wait for the weather to get warmer, but we eventually made it happen. Once I told mom that I wanted to go hang gliding for my birthday, I messaged yoocan on instagram back in May and asked if anyone had done a hang gliding story which they said no and that I should, so I did and I kept them updated leading up to it. My grandparents sent me a notepad and I started writing down basically just simple details and to get my thoughts and ideas for the story organized like the adventure, the title, and the date for the adventure. When my mom started planning a road trip vacation to go kayaking in Tennessee and North Carolina, we decided to add hang gliding to the trip since we were staying in a cabin for two nights in Tennessee before driving to North Carolina. When we got to the flying field, mom explained to the front desk that we didn't get all of the pictures that we had paid for when I flew back in August, so I got free pictures to make up for it along with a video that mom paid for. Why I like hang gliding I like to go hang gliding because like kayaking, hang gliding lets me get out of my chair for an hour and fly around in the sky. I love being able to actually fly the glider. My first time flying back in 2011, I think I just laid there while the instructor flew the entire time. The second time I flew with Ozzie, and he showed me how to fly the glider. Ozzie showed me where to put my hands on the bar, how to go fast and slow down, how to turn the glider, and how to safely land the glider. The third and most recent time I flew with Joe and the video link shows me actually flying the glider in the sky from takeoff to touchdown. The video also proves that I don't let having cerebral palsy and being in a wheelchair stop me from doing fun, expensive, crazy, and dangerous things that I love to do like tandem hang gliding.

Engaging Rehabilitation The RAPAEL Smart Glove is a wearable glove that can be used at home or in a physician’s office. The glove connects via Bluetooth to a screen where patients participate in immersive, game-based training tasks. Patients can “pour the wine” or “squeeze the orange” and see their movements mirrored on-screen. The built-in sensors capture the range of motion and provide reports to continue to measure progress. The software includes artificial intelligence to recommend games based on past exercises – kind of like Netflix for rehab – or a Learning Schedule algorithm that automatically adjusts the difficulty level based on the patient’s range of motion and goals. This ensures the patient stays challenged throughout training, and at the same time, creates a positive, encouraging environment. Beyond the solution, NEOFECT also has on-site therapists who help patients understand how to maximize training. Additionally, two complementary remote sessions are included for every home user. This allows patients to get accustomed to the technology and learn how to operate the solutions like Smart Glove in the comfort of their own homes. NEOFECT’s goal is to give stroke victims and others who have lost mobility in their hands and arms hope, confidence, and independence, and to keep them motivated and engaged in their recovery. The Smart Glove has received numerous accolades, including a 2018 MedTech Breakthrough Award for Innovation in Healthcare Wearables, the 2018 San Francisco Design Award for VirtualTech, the 2018 Frost & Sullivan Award for Best Practices, a 2017 CES Innovation Award, the AARP 2017 Innovation Champion Award, and Popular Science’s 2017 Best of What’s New Award in the Health category. Visit www.neofect.com/en/product/rapael/ for more information.