Search

Never Give Up! I had a lot on my plate and was having a pretty rough go at it when I decided to embark on this journey. Though it’s been 15 years since my injury, in many ways I still haven’t accepted or found that inner peace with it. I also live with a great deal of post operative and neurogenic pain. I was struggling, both physically and mentally, and actually getting to a point where I just felt like giving up. There was a lot of change happening at the time and along with it came a great deal of uncertainty, anxiety, fear, and anger… but also hope! When your life changes in an instant, and so drastically, you know you have to adjust (the faster the better), but you don’t always know how. So you do your best; you try to be as diligent as possible and do everything you can to heal, and get back to some semblance of life as you remember it. As you try to put the pieces back together and find all the answers, you begin to realize you don’t even know what questions to ask. In the process you begin to depend on those who have gone before you on a similar path, and develop a level of trust in the professionals you meet along the way (which isn’t always a good thing!) However, if you can find someone who is both a professional, and shares your experience, you’re usually in good hands. If you need medical supplies or a new wheelchair, you check in with Leslie at Leslam; if you need nutritional guidance, you see Joanne Smith; you need a great gym or sporting tips, give Rich at Neurocore a shout. Insurance, call Ashley Taws; If you want to go back to school or need employment info, give Tamara Gordon a shout. If you want to get back out on the road, with that freedom feeling of being behind the wheel, you call Marco at Universal Motion. So we stopped in to see him with the game plan and specs for what we needed. Marco a promulgated Gearhead with an innate propensity for the road; who fixed cars to work his way through college, participated in rallies and still races, was the perfect person to check in with. He fitted us with a Chrysler Town and Country designed by Braunability with a few special add-ons he devised himself. He pretty much put together the ultimate road trip spaceship. Before my injury, driving was one of my favorite things in the world. I’d always find little life comparisons and metaphorical lessons I could take away from it. For instance, in life, we are all trying to navigate through our experiences and hopefully end up at a destination we’re happy with. On the road we’re all trying to get from point A to B; most of us plan out our routes as best we can; we sometimes run into traffic or have to take detours; the lines, signals and signs on the road, I’d compare to the laws of the land; factors like stress and fatigue can throw you off course; distractions can lead to road rage, altercations, demerit points… it goes on. I remember when I was first learning to drive, I practiced with Go-Karts. The track I used had a sharp 180 turn at its midpoint; it was a for sure wipe out zone if you didn’t take the turn properly, so they put up tires as the guard rails. The track also had a daily four wipe out rule. Every time I came to this turn all I could focus on was the tires… so every time I took that turn I headed straight into them. Finally on my fourth try, with every ounce of cool I could muster, I centered myself, focused my thoughts, took a deep breath in, and ripped into that track; as I closed in on that infamous turn, it was me, my ride, the road… and those darn tires!!!! By the time I looked up again I was being flagged off the track… I didn’t give up though. That night instead of counting sheep to fall asleep I envisioned myself making that turn over and over again. I returned the next day; instead of focusing on the tires I focused on the end of the turn like I had envisioned, and took that turn like a champ. The lesson I took away from it speaks to the power of our mind. In life we often go in the direction we see for ourselves. Yeah, there are detours, traffic jams, road rages and 180 turns, but If we stick to our vision we’ll eventually get there! Just Never Give Up! Along with a special thank you to the Never Give Up Tour partners and all of our supporters, I want to dedicate this to all of you out there, our community, who share in this experience (that includes our caregivers), who despite the challenges choose to stay resilient. The tour has gotten some great exposure and has actually transformed into a movement; I’ve connected with a lot of amazing people along the way; we’re just getting started. For more info on the tour and to see some of the highlights so far visit the official blog at www.axs.world

Join us March 26 & 27, 2019 in Birmingham! Europe’s largest disability and independent living event is set to transform Birmingham’s NEC on the 26th & 27th of March 2019 for a monumental 45th edition. Over the past three years, this mighty event has been completely turned on its head by its new organisers who have cultivated it to new, unrecognisable heights. With a floor plan double the size of last year, the introduction of brand new interactive features, and even more unmissable seminars, product launches and live demos, there are more opportunities than ever for delegates to get involved and test the products that are shaping the future of disability. Naidex: The Agenda Make Your Home Accessible The Home, Design & Build Summit is a brand new feature sure to be awash with activity as world-class speakers and exhibitors provide an exploration of accessibility in the built environment. From home adaptations and functional interior design, to legislation, funding, and designing for care, the Summit will push the boundaries of accessibility in your home. How Employable Are You? For the very first time, Naidex will be hosting an Employability Panel Debate within the event in order to discuss the problems, best practice, and opportunities associated with employing people with disabilities. The panel will be hosted by Disability Horizon’s CEO Martyn Sibley and will feature the CEOs of Disability Rights UK, the Business Disability Forum, Change and Microlink PC. Try, Test and Get Involved! Naidex provides the perfect platform to try the latest products, services and technologies, with thousands of live demos as well as the return of interactive features such as the Live Sports Arena, where you’ll be able to try your hand at a range of disability sports, and the Mobility Test Track which will provide visitors with a simulated course to test the latest mobility products that are currently available on the market - the perfect chance to try before you buy! And there’s more... This year will boast over 300 of the latest products and services that are currently shaping the disability, rehabilitation and independent living sectors, as well as engaging seminars giving an insight into the future of disability. Among this year’s 200 speakers you’ll find the Minister of State for Disabled People Work and Health, Accessibility Lead at the BBC, the Global Lead for Life Sciences and Healthcare at IBM, Paralympians, the Chair of the National Autistic Society and many more! The 45th edition of Naidex promises to be the best disability and independent living event of the year combining exciting interactive features, incredible networking opportunities, captivating demonstrations and best of all, Naidex is completely free to attend! Register for your free ticket at naidex.co.uk For marketing and press enquiries contact greg.bradley@prysmgroup.co.uk, for sponsorship and exhibiting enquiries contact gary.hall@prysmgroup.co.uk.

חרטות רק ימנעו ממני להמשיך בחיים החדשים שלי היי, שמי סופיה ואני בת 20 מניו זילנד. בשנת 2016 נפלתי מסוס בעבודה, שברתי את הצוואר ונשארתי משותקת בארבע הגפיים. אני עדיין אוהבת ללכת למרוצים כדי לראות את הסוסים ואת כל החברים שלי. אני חושבת שהסוסים זוכרים אותי אבל יודעים שמשהו שונה עכשיו, והעיניים שלהם מגלות אמפתיה. אני לא מתחרטת על התאונה כי אהבתי את העבודה שלי ואני עדיין אוהבת מרוצי סוסים! הצער רק יעכב אותי מלהמשיך הלאה בחיים החדשים שלי. Regrets will only hold me back from moving on with my new life Hi, my name is Sophia and I am 20 from New Zealand. In 2016 I fell off a racehorse at work and broke my neck, leaving me tetraplegic. I still love going to the races to watch the horses and see all of my friends. I think the horses remember me but they know something is different now, and their eyes show empathy. I don’t regret my accident because I loved my job and I still love horse racing! Regret will only hold me back from moving on with my new life.

"Ballad from Tibet" Based on real people and true events, "BALLAD from TIBET" is a story about a group of Tibetan blind children embarking on an odyssey, each for a different reason. Thupten, with one eye partially working and the other completely dysfunctional, wants to see the world before his life goes completely dark. Droma, a beautiful weaving girl, wants to prove to her granny that she is more than a weaver by getting into a TV show. Sonam, a blind masseur, is fed up with his boring job. Kalsang, the youngest of them, simply follows others because it sounds terribly fun. With the help of a nomad family, a fleet of bikers, and a TV producer, the band marches to the metropolitan of Shenzhen. Their goal is to sing for everyone through the TV network. Two blind students and one blind teacher from Tibet took the leading roles in this film. Many blind teachers and students appearred in this film as well. Film Director Zhang Wei's STATEMENT Forty years ago, when I was a young boy, I thought that all blind people were fortune tellers. I often saw blind people filing out of their residence in the morning: one led the team by walking in the front and others followed by putting one hand on the shoulder of the person ahead of him and holding a white cane with the other hand. I thought they all worked as fortune tellers in a specific area in the city center. At dusk, they marched back home again. Later on, I moved to a big city. I no longer saw blind fortune tellers but found that many blind people work as masseuses. In 2010, I happened to watch a singing performance on a TV talent show by a group of blind students and teachers from Tibet. I was touched and inspired by them. Afterwards, I learned that the prevalence of cataracts in Tibet is the highest in the country due to natural environmental factors; local people think that the blind are punished by heaven for conducting wrong deeds in a previous life. Thus, the blind are discriminated or even abandoned in Tibet. I do not see the blind in this way. Instead, I think they are unique people with extraordinary capabilities and wonderful stories. After several years of primary research and preparation, I finished making BALLAD FROM TIBET. I am hopeful that audiences will appreciate not only the beautiful scenes in Tibet but also the innocence, bravery and God-giving singing talent of the Tibetan blind.

Meet my Orthodontist trained and Certified from Ossur I live in Pune City , India and want to thanks from my heart my Mentor and Provider of Ossur Prosthetic foot. Her name is Dr Sohini Dabir and having a very compassionate and caring heart both she and her husband Dr Saurav Dabir. Watch my video give you details.

#1. The Metropolitan Museum: New York, New York The Museum is committed to making its collection, buildings, programs, and services accessible to all audiences. The Met Fifth Avenue offers events for visitors with disabilities on a regular basis. The Met Fifth Avenue is accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who need to avoid stairs. Accessible entrances are located at Fifth Avenue and 81st Street and through the parking garage at Fifth Avenue and 80th Street. Visitors with disabilities may use mobility devices, including manual and electric wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and manually powered mobility aids (such as walkers, canes, and crutches) in all areas open to public pedestrian use. You may also use certain electronic personal assistance mobility devices (EPAMDs) in areas open to public pedestrian use in accordance with Museum guidelines. Please contact access@metmuseum.org or 212-650-2010 for guidelines and to make a reservation. Visitors may borrow manual wheelchairs (standard and wide) from the coat check at the 81st Street entrance on a first-come, first-served basis. To request an escort for a wheelchair user, contact visitor.assistance@metmuseum.org or 212-570-3711 (two weeks' notice is preferred).Service animals are welcome in the Museum. Assistive listening devices (with headsets or neck loops) are provided at a variety of gallery programs. See the schedule of events for visitors with hearing loss. Individuals can request assistive listening devices (with headsets and neck loops) for other tours and programs. Ask at the Audio Guide Desk in the Great Hall. Real-time captioning is available for lectures upon request with at least three weeks' notice, subject to the availability of captioners. Contact access@metmuseum.org or 212-650-2010 (voice). Relay and voice calls welcome. American Sign Language interpretation is available free of charge for other Museum events or guided group tours with two weeks' notice, subject to the availability of interpreters. Voice interpretation may be requested for programs in ASL only. Contact access@metmuseum.org or 212-650-2010 (voice). Relay and voice calls welcome. Large-print label booklets are available for some exhibitions. They can be found in dispensers at exhibition entrances. Listen to the Audio Guide on your smartphone or pick up a player at the Audio Guide Desk in the Great Hall, at entrances to exhibitions, and at Met Store locations throughout the Museum. Audio Guide players are free for visitors who are blind, partially sighted, Deaf, or with hearing loss. Wheelchair-accessible public telephones, as well as telephones with volume control, are located in the Museum. #2. J. Paul Getty Museum: Los Angeles, California The Getty Villa is ADA accessible to all visitors. Service animals, such as a guide dog for the blind, are welcome at the Getty Villa. Seating and resting areas are available throughout the site—in the Entry Pavilion, Museum hallways, some galleries, the Outer Peristyle, the Inner Peristyle, the Herb Garden, as well as the Outdoor Classical Theater (the 400-seat amphitheater facing the Museum entrance). For further information, call (310) 440-7300 or TTY (310) 440-7305, or e-mail us at visitor services@getty.edu. For the Blind or Partially Sighted A visual descriptions audio tour offers detailed descriptions of selected works in the Villa's collection for visitors with visual loss and those seeking an in-depth looking experience. GettyGuide® multimedia players are available free of charge in the Atrium on the first floor of the Museum. For Those with Mobility Impairments Accessible parking spaces are located in both Central and South garages and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Security staff can direct you to the closest parking available. Standard wheelchairs are available for free in the Entry Pavilion. Front and rear row wheelchair seating is available at events in the Auditorium and the Outdoor Classical Theater for visitors using wheelchairs and for their companions. Please arrive early to reach this area before programs begin. Visitor Services staff are available to assist you. Accessible facilities are available in all public restrooms at the Getty Villa. Family restrooms, located adjacent to the Museum Store and at the tour bus drop-off area, include private facilities in which you can assist a companion. #3. Art Institute of Chicago: Chicago, Illinois Ramp access is available, but drop-offs are not permitted. Ramp access is available, and drop-offs are permitted. A traffic pullout is available from the eastbound lanes of Monroe Street. Members who would like assistance getting to and from member events using museum-owned wheelchairs may make an appointment by e-mailing access@artic.edu. Please make an appointment one to two weeks in advance of your visit. Questions? Please call (312) 443-3600 or TDD/TTY 312-443-3680 weekdays 9:00–5:00. Accessible parking is located in the following garages near the Art Institute. Please note that they no longer accept over-sized vans. Millennium Park garage (enter at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street), with 6' 8' clearance in some sections and an elevator at the exit East Monroe Street garage (enter at Columbus Drive and Monroe Street), with 6' 8" clearance and exit ramps at Monroe Street Grant Park North garage (enter at Michigan Avenue between Madison and Randolph), with 6' 6" clearance for vans and an elevator at the exit Elevators are located throughout the museum with access to all floors. A limited number of wheelchairs and strollers are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis. Pay telephones have volume control and are positioned at an accessible height. A TDD/TTY–equipped phone is available in the Michigan Avenue lobby. Auditoriums are equipped with designated wheelchair areas. Wheelchairs are allowed in all areas of the museum. These devices include manual or electric single seat chairs, electric mobility seated scooters and knee scooters, and other manually operated mobility devices including walkers, crutches, canes, braces, and other similar devices. Manually operated wheelchairs are available free of charge at coat check areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance reservations are not available. #4. National Gallery of Art: Washington, D.C. The Gallery is committed to making its collection, buildings, and programs accessible to all audiences. If you have questions about accessible programs, please call (202) 842-6905 Monday–Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Courtesy wheelchairs for your visit to the National Gallery of Art are available Discover free accessible programs for those who are blind or have low vision. Break away from the everyday in this program for people with early-stage dementia and their caregivers. A program to enhance visual literacy for caregivers and people working in the medical profession. Explore collection highlights from the West and East Buildings with American Sign Language (ASL) video tours. Audio recordings and podcasts give access to special Gallery talks by well-known artists, curators, and historians. #5. Cleveland Museum of Art: Cleveland, Ohio Most of the historic 1916 building is accessible to disabled visitors, but visitors must enter the museum from the ramps and elevators at the north entrance and continue through the east wing or the atrium to access the 1916 building. Wheelchairs are available at coat check in the north lobby. Service animals accompanying disabled individuals are welcome. Specially designed tours for visually impaired and hearing-impaired visitors are offered by prior arrangement. Parking - Designated spaces, noted with signage, are available in the parking garage for visitors with disabilities. Assistive Listening Devices Audio Guide players are free for visitors who are blind, partially sighted, hard of hearing, or deaf. Printed labels and audio tour scripts for paid exhibitions are available on request at the ticket desk. Free entrance. #6. Boston Institute of Contemporary Art: Boston, Massachusetts The ICA is fully wheelchair accessible. Visitors who use wheelchairs may be dropped off directly in front of the museum. A limited number of wheelchairs are available in the State Street Corporation Lobby first-come, first-served, and free of charge. Reserved wheelchair seating for theater productions is available by advance request; please call the Box Office at 617-478-3103. Assistive-listening devices and sign language interpretation are available by advance request. Service animals are allowed. Large-print label texts are available in the galleries. Free Thursday nights. #7. St. Louis Art Museum: St. Louis, Missouri Free ADA-compliant parking is available in the lots across from the Museum’s Main Building Entrance. Directly in front of the Museum, Fine Arts Drive may be used as a drop-off and pick-up location. A ramp and power assist doors are located at the Main Building Entry Stair, on the right, to accommodate visitors with wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers. All public areas of the Museum are ADA-compliant and accessible to wheelchair users and other visitors who need to avoid stairs. Standard wheelchairs may be requested at the Information Center in Sculpture Hall. These are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. The Museum welcomes motorized wheelchairs and other personal transporters needed by disabled visitors. The Museum welcomes certified service animals. Service animals must remain on a leash at all times while in the Museum. ALDs are available at the Information Center in Sculpture Hall for all public programs. The Museum offers large print versions of exhibition labels. Magnifying glasses are also available upon request. Certified Sign Language Interpreters are available for public programs with four weeks advance notice. Please contact 314.655.5298 or classes@slam.org toarrange for this service. #8. Walters Art Museum: Baltimore, Maryland The Walters Art Museum is committed to serving individuals with Sensory Processing Disorders through its collaboration with Kennedy Krieger Institute. Sensory Mornings are free, registration-based programs designed to meet the diverse sensory needs of individuals with autism and related disorders. Offered four times annually, Sensory Mornings invite families to visit the Walters before it opens to the general public, providing the opportunity to enjoy time together during quiet hours. These multigenerational workshops provide hands-on activities, tactile resources, and visual supports within designated galleries; art-making experiences within a private studio; and a Sensory Break Area for those in need of respite. Enroll online for an upcoming workshop, or for more information on related offerings, please contact Colleen Oyler at 410-547-9000, ext. 300, or email coyler@thewalters.org. Docent-led touch tours of sculptures from various periods of the permanent collection are offered for blind and partially-sighted groups of between five and 15 visitors. During touch tours, both the docent and the visitor wear gloves to examine pre-selected works from the Walters collection. The Walters Art Museum's commitment to serve the blind and partially sighted community through its collaboration with the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped was recognized by Art Education for the Blind, New York City in 2005. Docent-led touch tours of sculpture may also combine visual descriptions and discussions of paintings from different areas of the permanent collection. Tours are offered for blind and partially sighted groups of between five and 15 visitors. Hour-long touch and multi-sensory tours are free and available by appointment only. Three weeks advance notice is required and tours are subject to availability. Please contact John Shields, Manager of Docent Programs, at 410-547-9000, ext 235 or register online. #9. Tucson Museum of Art: Tucson, Arizona There are handicapped parking spaces in the free lot off Washington Street for vehicles displaying the appropriate disability permits. This parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Please ask at the information desk. The Museum offers accessible entrances, galleries, Museum Store, café, parking, elevators, drinking fountain, and restroom facilities. Sign language interpretation is available for any public program or arranged tour upon advanced request. For more information about accessibility please email the Education Department or call 520-624-2333 ext. 121. The Museum is accessible to all. Please email the Education Department, or call 520-624-2333 ext. 121 to discuss sign-language interpretation, descriptive tours, and other opportunities for people with hearing and or vision loss. Free Entrance. #10. Virginia Museum of Fine Arts: Richmond, Virginia Manual and motorized wheelchairs are available for use free on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations). The Pauley Center, the Studio School, elevators, telephones, and restrooms are wheelchair-accessible. If you need a wheelchair upon arrival, please ask a security officer. Visitors who are blind or partially sighted Groups of visitors who are blind or partially sighted may experience works of art through prearranged touch tours facilitated by VMFA Education staff. Beginning September 2nd, Touch Tours are available to groups of adults and students (K–12) of 10–20 as staff and gallery space are available. Contact Tour Services at 804.340.1419 or tour services@vmfa.museum. Audio Tours are available for selected exhibitions and the permanent collection onsite and on the museum’s website. Transcripts of current VMFA Audio Tours are available in Large Print for partially sighted visitors at the Visitor Services Desk. Visitors who are Deaf or hard of hearing Sign Language Interpreters can be provided with four weeks notice for guided group tours. To book your guided tour and interpreter, please contact Tour Services at 804.340.1419 or tour services@vmfa.museum at least 4 weeks in advance of your visit. Transcripts of audio tours are available for download from the museum’s website. Laminated copies of audio scripts can be checked out from the Visitor Services desk.

Hope’s Story We found out in the twelfth week of my pregnancy that our baby was likely going to be born with Down Syndrome. Because the odds were so high, we did not pursue invasive testing due to the risk of miscarriage, we loved that baby so very much already! Learning About Down Syndrome Having prenatal screening carried out was not used to terminate the pregnancy, but as a tool to educate ourselves on what having a child with Down Syndrome meant. I'm not going to lie, there were a lot of tears in the beginning. We were scared, and the internet was cruel. After speaking to a geneticist who didn't have many positive things to say I left and knew then that our babies name would be Hope. Hope is what the world needs. Hope is what our family needs. Hope is most definitely what I need! ⠀ Our beautiful little girl with a beautiful extra chromosome came into our lives on Valentine's Day and she has blessed our family more than I could ever explain. Hope is love, joy, and all things good in this world. She is strong and determined and nothing will keep her from succeeding in life. ⠀ There is Nothing Down about Down Syndrome Since Hope's birth, she has taught our whole family what true love really means - no one gets more kisses and hugs than this sweetheart! She has taught us to stop and smell the roses, that life is to be enjoyed not rushed, and to celebrate all accomplishments no matter how big or small they are. Hope is an absolute gift and the biggest blessing our family has received! We most definitely have learned that difference is beautiful, we are all more alike than different! There is Nothing Down about Down Syndrome.

Helping people getting back on their feet The world population is aging and comprises almost one fifth of the developed world population over 65 years old. Although new medical developments, extend life expectancy, more than half of the elderly will suffer from decreased mobility and independence due to injuries originated from falls and arthritis. In the US, 14% of the elderly population use a mobility assistive device, one third of those are walkers. The Problem Walking rehabilitation therapy given to post traumatic patients usually lasts only a few days and ends when patients start walking using a walker. The treatment is subjected to the physical therapist observation and interpretation, thus may take longer than needed or end up before patient‘s walking capabilities are fully recovered. The lack of objective measurements of patient walking characteristics does not allow proper continuation of care that frequently results in severe mobility limitations. The Solution: Safe Walk • This product provides continuous analysis and measurement of the patient’s gait, walking speed, load balance and distance • Extension of physical therapy hours • Physical therapy is based on objective and quantitative data • Weight distribution and walking patterns using biofeedback mechanisms • Remote monitoring of patient’s activity and walking pattern • Patient / therapist interaction through a dedicated App Technology & Design • Built-in force / pressure sensors, electro-optical sensors and accelerometers for measuring weight distribution, gait, sway and walking speed of the patient • Vibrating handles delivering to the patient biofeedback signaling and alerts according to the therapist predetermined guidelines • Patient data is displayed on tablet / smartphone and saved on a cloud for further analysis • Patient’s functionality and performance can be viewed and analyzed using an application Are you interested in purchasing Safe Walk? Contact: Mr. Nachman Plotnizky, CEO E-mail: plot@milbat.org.il

What is therapy burnout? I started therapy soon after I was born. I started before I could even remember in the NICU. For many years, it was all I knew. I had physical, occupational and speech therapy three times a week for a long time. Once I finished kindergarten, I was discharged from speech therapy and my PT/OT was reduced to once a week. At that time, I added a new kind of therapy called horse therapy. For many years, I worked with PT's and OT's on posture, balance, trunk control, leg strength and learning how to ride a horse independently. I did a horse show every year. I slowly moved from having someone else lead the horse and people on either side of me, helping to hold me up, to using reins by myself and sitting up on the horse by myself. Once I reached thirteen years old, I started to not want to go to therapy. I was tired of doing the same activities and working on the same challenging things in every single session. My parents and therapists could see the burnout and worked to change things up for me. My OT started working on more life skill things with me. The left side of my body is the most effected by Cerebral Palsy. She and I worked on using my left hand to make cookies and cupcakes. We also worked on life skills like drying my hair and tying my shoes. In PT, she changed it up by letting me take more control of my therapy and making it more like a game instead of work. She asked me what I wanted to work on and let me use dice to find out how many repetitions of each exercise I needed to do. We used swing sets to work on balance and a trampoline to learn how to jump and hold my balance while changing directions/positions. Something else I really enjoyed about her, was that we went to different places to do therapy. We did therapy in a park quite a few times. We worked on stamina by walking around the park and used the playground equipment to work on balance on different surfaces and the workout equipment to work on arm strength. Some of my favorite and most difficult therapy sessions were the ones during my rehab from orthopedic surgery. I used a heated swimming pool to start walking again, going up and down ramps, stretching and working on leg strength and balance. After these sessions, I always felt the most tired and sore out of all my rehab sessions. Even though these were the most challenging sessions, they were also the most fun/rewarding because I felt like I was really working my body, I felt like it was getting stronger and I had a great time because pool therapy was new and fun to me. Are you or your child having some therapy burnout or struggling to make it interesting? Tip #1: Determine what you or your child enjoy What do you or your child like? From a very young age, I loved music. My parents both went to college for music and I inherited the love/connection to music very early on. My parents could see this and incorporated it in my home/professional therapy sessions. Once I was old enough, I was able to pick my own music and the artists/songs that gripped me were always included in my therapy sessions. I didn’t know it as a kid, but I was more engaged and willing to work with music turned on. If you/your child like a certain toy, food, book, tv show, movie or music, attempt to use that to engage them during therapy sessions. Tip #2: Change it up Therapy is hard work. Every day, therapists are asking you/your child to engage in challenging activities, the activities that might make you frustrated with your body, that hurt and push you to work hard. This is a great thing because it will help make sure that you can do as much as possible. On the other hand, it can exhaust you, especially day after day, week after week, year after year. Once my therapists and parents could see that I was starting to feel defeated in therapy, they made some big changes. My occupational therapist started using games, giving me prizes after each session and having me try new foods. Tip #3: Take a break As a kid, I never realized that I could take a break from therapy. It can be grueling work both physically and mentally. On the occasion that my therapists needed to cancel an appointment, it was such a nice break. I’m so grateful that I had as much therapy as I did. I know it is the reason that I’m able to do what I can now. Also, it’s so important to take care of your mind and body, which can mean taking a break, sometimes. You can also give yourself/your child rewards every once in a while. Maybe a movie, a special lunch out or a toy that they’ve been asking for. Follow my journey on Instagram: @beyondthebraces

Skiing with Cerebral Palsy During birth, I suffered a severe bleed in my cerebellum leading to my diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. Doctors told my parents that I would never be able to walk or run like other kids. Defying the doctors, my parents refused to accept that I "would not walk". My dad, who was a big skier, along with my mom, opted to strap skis to my feet. Before I could walk and support myself, at age 1 my parents sent me down our snowy driveway on my first pair of skis. Since that day, I became hooked on snow sports. Snowboarding with Cerebral Palsy Around the age of 7, I convinced my parents to let me begin snowboarding. Snowboarding has been my favorite sport for 20 years now! At age 13, my ankles began caving inward to the point snowboarding actually hurt. Thanks to Shriners Hospital, I received an ankle reconstructive surgery. Snowboarding has taken me around the world, from California to Colorado, Canada to the glaciers of New Zealand and most recently to the US Snowboard and Freeski Nationals 2018. This past year I have competed to promote Cerebral Palsy awareness by snowboarding and winning 5 gold medals overall this past winter. I was honored to compete at the National level while promoting Cerebral Palsy awareness! YOOCAN truly do anything you dream. Follow my journey on Instagram: @CerebralPalsyShredder

תגובתי ל"מה קרה לך?" הייתי במכולת לאחרונה ומישהו שאל שאלה שאני מכירה היטב, כי יש לי עזרי ניידות במשך כל 22 שנות חיי: "מה קרה לך?" התגובה שלי: "אה... אני נולדתי מוקדם". באינטראקציות עם אחרים, אפילו זרים בחנות, התשובה הפשוטה הזאת אף פעם לא מספקת אותי. האיש המשיך: "אה, אני מבין, אז לכן את משתמשת בכיסא ... את עדיין יפה, שאלוהים יברך אותך". ואז אמרתי, "טוב, תודה. שאלוהים יברך גם אותך. שיהיה לך יום נעים". Responding to “What happened to you?” I was at the grocery store recently, and someone asked a question I am quite familiar with, being that I have utilized mobility aids for all 22 years of my life: “What happened to you?” My response: “Oh, um… I was born early.” While interacting with others, even strangers at the store, this simplified answer never sits well with me. The person continued: “Oh I see, so that’s why you use a chair… you’re still as beautiful as ever though. God Bless.” I then said, “Well, thank you. God bless you too. Have a nice day.” אל תתמקדו בשלילי אני יודעת שלאיש הייתה כוונה טובה כשאמר "את עדיין יפה". אבל כשאנשים מעירים הערות כאלו, הלוואי שהיו מבינים שמכשירי הניידות לא משנים את המראה של מישהו. אני כבר מבינה שהשאלה "מה קרה?" אינה ראויה לתשובה המתמקדת בשליליות. לכן, כשאני מגיבה רק עם "נולדתי מוקדם", הלוואי שהזמן והאומץ היו מאפשרים לי להגיב עם כל האמת: ששרדתי באורח פלא לידה מורכבת, שבה כמעט כל רופא הטיל ספק בהישרדותי, אבל אמי הנחושה ומלאת התקווה סירבה לוותר עלי. עם זאת, אני מבינה גם שהשאלה הזאת אפילו לא דורשת תשובה הנוגעת למוגבלות שלי. לכן, במקום להתמקד בכך מיד, אני יכולה קודם כל לספר למי ששואל פתאום "מה קרה?" - שלאחרונה התחלתי לימודים לתואר בייעוץ כדי לעזור לתלמידים לממש את הפוטנציאל שלהם. תשובה אחרת יכולה להיות פשוט "היה לי יום מעייף אבל פורה בעבודה היום ובאתי רק לקנות מצרכים". Don't Focus On The Negative I know the person meant well when they said, “You’re still as beautiful as ever.” But when people make comments like this, I wish they understood that mobility devices do not change someone’s appearance. And I’ve come to realize that the question of “What happened?” does not deserve an answer focused on the negative. So when I only respond with, “I was born early,” I wish time and courage allowed for me to respond with the full truth: that I miraculously survived a complicated delivery, where almost every doctor doubted my survival, but my determined, faithful and hopeful mom refused to give up on me. With that being said, I’ve also come to realize this question doesn’t even require an answer relating to my disability. Therefore, instead of putting the focus on it right away , I could first tell those who abruptly ask, “What happened?” that I recently started graduate school — and I’m working towards getting my degree in School Counseling to help students realize their potential. Another answer could be, more simply, “I’ve had a tiring, but fulfilling day at work today, and I too am just buying my groceries.” יצירת שינויים חיוביים בתפיסות ובהתייחסות לפעמים זה נראה כאילו הדבר היחיד שאנשים רוצים לדעת עליי הוא למה אני משתמשת בכיסא גלגלים. סקרנות היא טבעית והכסא שלי מושך תשומת לב. אבל כך בדיוק אני רגילה לחיות. אני לא רוצה להדחיק את המוגבלות שלי. עם זאת, אני רוצה שהחברה כולה תראה אותי ולא רק את הכיסא. יש הרבה יותר באדם מאשר הדרך שבה הוא מתנייד. אני יודעת ששינויים חיוביים בתפיסות ובעמדות יכולים להתחיל להתרחש גם באינטראקציות הקטנות ביותר. אז אני מקווה שבפעם הבאה שאשאל פתאום: "מה קרה לך?" - אזכור זאת - אפילו כשאני רק קונה את המצרכים שלי. Creating Positive Changes in Perceptions & Attitudes It can sometimes seem as though the only thing people want to know about me is why I use a power wheelchair. Curiosity is natural, and my chair can be something to notice. But it is just the way I’m used to living. I do not wish to deny my disability. However, I do wish for society as a whole to see me, and not just my power chair. There is so much more to a person than the way they navigate their surroundings. I know positive changes in perceptions and attitudes can begin to take place with even the smallest interactions. So I hope the next time I am abruptly asked: “What happened to you?” I remember to take my own advice — even when I’m just buying my groceries.

יום שיתוק המוחין העולמי בשבועות האחרונים תמכתי ימים בימים רבים של מודעות למוגבלויות, כולל שיתוק מוחין שבו אני לוקה. גרבתי את הגרביים המטורפים שלי למודעות לתסמונת דאון, סגולים לאפילפסיה, כחולים זוהרים לאוטיזם וירוקים לשיתוק מוחין. שמתי לב שכל ימי המודעות הללו, מלבד לשיתוק מוחין, פורסמו בטלוויזיה המקומית והארצית. הבית הלבן אף הדליק את הכדורים של המודעות לאוטיזם. חברה שלי רייצ'ל הית ואניהתחלנו בנובמבר לשלוח מיילים לעסקים, משרדי ממשלה, קבוצות ספורט, תחנות חדשות מקומיות ולאומיות וכו'. שלחנו מעל 500 הודעות דוא"ל וקיבלנו רק 10 תגובות. לא היה עניין רב. ישנם כיום כ-17 מיליון אנשים החיים עם שיתוק מוחין ברחבי העולם, אך הוא מקבל מעט תשומת לב בתקשורת, מימון קטן עבור מחקר ובדיקות, ובעצם, אלא אם כן אתן במדיה החברתית לא תדעו אפילו שיש יום מודעות. אני תומכת במודעות לכל המוגבלויות ושמחה שהן זוכות לתשומת לב, אבל השאלה שלי היא מדוע ימי המודעות הללו יותר חשובים לציבור הרחב? יום שיתוק המוחין העולמי הוא ב-6 באוקטובר ואנחנו ממשיכים לשלוח את המיילים שלנו. אנא עזרו לנו ליצור מודעות לשיתוק מוחין אצל עסקים מקומיים, משרדי ממשלה, תחנות חדשות וכו' כדי לעזור לנו להפיץ זאת לעולם. אני לא רוצה לקחת שום דבר מיתר המוגבלויות, אבל מאמינה שכל ימי המודעות למוגבלויות הינם חשובים ויחד נוכל להביא לשינוי! National and World Cerebral Palsy Day Not Publicized In the past few weeks I have shown my support to many disability awareness days, including Cerebral Palsy which I have. I wore my crazy socks for Down syndrome awareness, purple for Epilepsy, lit up blue for autism, and painted the world green for Cerebral Palsy awareness. The thing I noticed is all these other awareness days were publicized on local and national television. The White House even lit up blue for Autism awareness. My friend Richelle Heath and I started in November emailing and writing businesses, government offices, sports teams, local and national news stations etc. We sent out over 500 emails and received only about 10 responses. While we did get the Skyview Atlanta to light up green and a local DJ in Knoxville TN (Hot Toddy on Star 102.1) announced that it was National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Day on air, there was little to no interest. #LightUpGreen on October 6 for World Cerebral Palsy Day There are currently approximately 17 million people living with Cerebral Palsy worldwide yet it receives little attention in the media, little funding for research and testing, and basically unless you are on social media and in the Cerebral Palsy community online you wouldn't be aware that Cerebral Palsy even has an awareness day. I support all disability awareness and I am pleased that these other disabilities received the attention that they did, but my question is why are their awareness days considered more important to the general public? World Cerebral Palsy Day is October 6 and we are back to sending our emails. Please help us bring Cerebral Palsy awareness to the forefront by asking local businesses, government offices, news stations, etc. to help us spread the world to #LightUpGreen 10/6 for cerebral palsy awareness. I don't wish to take anything away from any other awareness for any disability, but I believe all disability awareness days should matter (not just a select few!) Stand up! Together we can make a change!