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מדוע אני אף פעם לא מפסיק להשתפר כשאני חושב על מטרות בחיי, אני נמשך לעתים קרובות לשיעורים שהרווחתי מהיותי אתלט לכל החיים. להיות מעורבים בספורט זה לא רק במובן הפיזי, אלא גם מצריך כוח נפשי שאנו בונים במהלך אימונים ומשפרים את השרירים שלנו עד כדי כך שהספורט הופך לאירוע שאתה כבר מחכה להגיע להתחרות בו. כשמתחייבים לשחק בספורט או ללמוד תרגיל חדש, אנחנו עושים עסקה עם עצמנו כדי להמשיך ולהשתפר עד שנגיע למטרה מסוימת. ישנם אנשים שמשחקים כדי להנות עם כוונה להיות חברתיים ולהפוך לחברים מחוץ למעגלים החברתיים הרגילים שלהם. יש אנשים שמתאמנים כדי לרדת במשקל או לעלות במסת השרירים שלהם, ויש אנשים שמצטרפים לקבוצה כי הם מאמינים בספורט ובאמת אוהבים להשקיע בו את הלב שלהם. אם הסיבה היא להיות מעורב בפעילות, צריכה להיות מטרה בראש. המטרה היא לא רק לשבת ולבזבז זמן פנוי של צפייה בטלוויזיה או משחקי מחשב. אתה לומד בדיוק כמו אדם שקורא ספר או מקשיב לפודקאסט יכול לשפר את הכישורים הנפשיים שלו. תרגילים גופניים מאתגרים את גבולות הנפש והגוף, מחברים יחד סיבולת ורפלקסים עם תפקוד מוטורי. Why I Never Stop Improving Myself When I think about goals in my life, I am often drawn back to the lessons I have gained from being a lifelong athlete. Being involved in sports isn't just about the physicality, but it's also about the mental strength we build during highly repetitive exercises for the chance to improve our muscle memory for the moment when the sport becomes an event you've been waiting for to compete.​ When we make a commitment to playing a sport or learning a new exercise, we are making a deal with ourselves to keep improving until we reach a specific goal. Some people play to have fun with the intention of being social and making friends outside their normal social groups. Some people exercise to lose weight or improve their muscle mass, and some people join a team because they believe in the sport and really love to put their heart into it. Whether the reason is to be involved in an activity, a goal should be in mind. The goal isn't to just sit around and waste free time watching TV or playing video games. You are learning just like a person who reads a book or listens to a podcast might be improving their mental skills. Physical exercise challenges tests the limits of the mind and body, tying together endurance and reflexes with motor function. למה אני משחק בספורט? אני משחק בשביל פרץ האנרגיה שאני מקבל מצבירת נקודה, אני משחק בשביל השמחה של הניצחון ואני משחק כי אני אוהב את ההרגשה של לתת את כל מה שהגוף שלי מסוגל אפילו בהפסד בידיעה שנתתי את הטוב ביותר שלי למשהו שהוא גדול יותר ממני. אני משחק בספורט כי אני אוהב את חבריי לקבוצה ואני יודע שהם אוהבים אותי בחזרה. אני משחק בספורט כי אני רוצה לדחוף את הגוף שלי להיות בכושר טוב, להרגיש טוב ובריא. וכל עוד אני מרגיש בריא, אמשיך לשחק ולעבוד על להוות מודל לחיקוי עבור הדור הבא של ספורטאים בעלי מוגבלות. Why do I play sports? I play for the burst of energy I get from scoring a point, I play for the joy of victory, and I play because I like the feeling of giving everything my body has even in a defeat knowing that I tried my hardest to do something bigger than myself. I play sports because I love my teammates and I know they love me back. I play sports because I want to push my body to be fit and feel good about looking strong and feeling healthy. And as long as I feel healthy, I will keep playing and working on being a role model for the next generation of disabled athletes.

שינוי מהותי ושיעור חשוב שינוי הוא משהו שכולנו חווים אם אנחנו אוהבים את זה או לא. אני אהיה הראשונה לספר לכם שאני שונאת שינויים - בעיקר בגלל שהם גורמים לי לחוש בחילה אבל גם כי אין לי מושג למה לצפות. חוויתי את אחד השינויים הגדולים בתקופת הקולג' שלי ולמדתי כי שינוי הוא לפעמים הדבר הכי טוב בשבילך. אני כרגע התחלתי את הסמסטר השני של השנה האחרונה שלי בקולג'. עבור חלק זהו הסוף. אך עבורי זוהי התחלה. לקראת סוף הסמסטר הקודם עשיתי החלטה גדולה; החלטתי לשנות את החוג הראשי שלי מחינוך לגיל הרך לניהול מערכות חינוך. היה לי את כל חג המולד כדי להילחץ מהדרך החדשה שלי. הלחץ לא היה מהחלטתי, אלא מלמה לצפות מהחוג החדש שלי. האם אני אוהב את השיעורים? האם אכיר חברים חדשים? A major change and an important lesson Change is something we all experience whether we like it or not. I'll be the first to tell you that I HATE change (mostly because It makes me nauseous) but also because I have no idea what to expect. I experienced one of the biggest changes in my college career and learned that change is sometimes the best thing for you. I just started the second semester of my senior year of college. For some, this is an ending. However, for me, it's a begining. Towards the end of last semester I made a big decision; I decided to change my major from Early Childhood Education to Education Management. I had all of Christmas break to stress about my new path. The stress wasn't about my decision, but about what to expect from my new major. Would I like the classes? Would I make new friends? השינוי הוא מעולה עכשיו, כשאני שבוע לתוך החוג והשיעורים החדשים שלי, אני יכולה לענות על השאלות האלה. 1. השיעורים קשים אבל מעניינים. 2. אני מכירה כמה אנשים בכיתה שלי אז זה לא מפחיד כמו שחשבתי שיהיה. הנקודה שלי בלספר לכם את כל הסיפור הזה היא לומר כי מפחיד ככל שהשינוי הזה היה, הוא התברר כדבר נהדר! רמת הלחץ שלי ירדה בהרבה ואני בכיוון של מטרה חדשה. אז אם אתם חווים שינוי בחיים שלכם, אני יודעת שזה מפחיד. אבל שינוי הוא דבר טוב, מבטיחה. Change has been great Now that I'm a week into my new major and new classes, I can answer these questions. 1. The classes are hard, but interesting. 2. I know a few people in my classes so it's not as terrifying as I thought it would be. My point in telling you all this story is to say that as scary as this change was, it's turned out to be a great thing! My stress level has gone way down and I am heading towards a new goal. So, if you are experienidng change in your life, I know it's scary. But change is a good thing, I promise.

הישרדות של 3 אחיות שלום, שמי בריטני. נולדתי בטרם עת עם מעיים לא מפותחים וליקוי נדיר בעמוד השדרה שנקרא תסמונת קליפל-פייל (KFS), שבה העצמות מתפתחות בצורה לקויה ומאוחות יחדיו בחלקו הצווארי של עמוד השדרה. היו לי שלושה ניתוחים מאז הלידה ואיבדתי את אמא שלי לסרטן השד שלב 4 ב-2013. בדיוק כשחשבתי ששרדתי כמה מהימים הגרועים ביותר שלי, הלא יתואר קרה. ביום ראשון, 30 ביולי 2017, שתי אחיותיי ואני יצאנו לחגוג את יום ההולדת ה-18 של אחותי הצעירה. החלטנו לאכול צהריים במסעדה פופולרית בלוס אנג'לס, קליפורניה. בערך 15 דקות לאחר שהגענו למסעדה, ישבנו בחוץ בפטיו של פינת האוכל. כמה דקות לאחר מכן, גבר שנסע תחת השפעה עבר באור אדום, התנגש ברכב אחר ופתאום קפץ על שפת המדרכה ונסע אל אזור הפטיו, פגע באחותי הבכורה ובי. נפגעתי מאחור ואחותי נגררה מתחת לוואן. אחותי ואני נפצענו קשה ונלקחנו לבתי חולים מקומיים לטיפול בחמשת החודשים האחרונים. למרבה המזל, אחותנו הצעירה לא נפגעה בתאונה (כי נפגעה על ידי רכב בפברואר 2016). זה בהחלט נס שכל המעורבות בתאונה שרדו. לא עובר יום שאני לא מודה לאלוהים על שחס על חיינו. 3 Sister's Survival Hello, My name is Brittni. I was born prematurely with underdeveloped intestines and a rare congenital spine disorder called Klippel-Feil Syndrome (KFS) which is a bone disorder characterized by the abnormal joining (fusion) of two or more spinal bones in the neck. I've had three surgeries since birth, lost my Mother to Stage 4 breast cancer in 2013. Just when I thought I had survived some of my worst days, the unimaginable happened. On Sunday July 30, 2017 my two sisters and I went out to celebrate my youngest sister's 18th birthday. We decided to have lunch at a popular restaurant in Los Angeles, CA. About 15 minutes after arriving at the restaurant, we sat outside in the dining area patio. A few minutes later, a man driving under the influence ran a red light, collided with another vehicle and suddenly jumped the curb and drove into the patio area, hitting my oldest sister and I. I was struck from behind and my sister was dragged underneath the van. My sister and I were severely injured and taken to local hospitals for treatment over the past five months. Fortunately, our youngest sister was not injured in the accident (as she was hit by a vehicle February 2016). It is definitely a MIRACLE everyone involved in the crash survived. Not a day goes by that I don't thank God for sparing our lives.

מדוע אני רוכבת עם רגל תותבת? היי כולם, אני בריג'יט! כשהייתי בת עשר רכבתי על הסוס שלי לבית של חברה ומכונית שנסעה על הגבעה פגעה בסוס שלי ובי. רגלי השמאלית נקטעה מעל הברך על המקום והסוס שלי נהרג. התאונה שלי הייתה טרגית, ולגדול עם רגל תותבת לא היה קל לפעמים, אבל אני באמת מאמינה שהכל קורה מסיבה. התברכתי בסוס חדש שלימד אותי לרכוב שוב והיום אני רוכבת תחרותית במרוצי חבית. אני מקווה שהסיפור שלי יעורר בכם השראה לעולם לא לוותר על מה שאתם אוהבים! Why Do I Race With A Prosthetic? Hey everyone, I'm Bridget! When I was ten years old I was riding my horse to a friend's house and a car drove over the hill and struck my horse and I. My left leg was amputated above the knee at the scene, and my horse did not make it. My accident was tragic, and growing up with a prosthetic wasn't easy at times, but I truly believe everything happens for a reason. I was blessed with a new horse who taught me how to ride again, and today I am a competitive barrel racer. I hope my story can inspire you to never give up on what you love!

Yes, you can use a wheelchair on a part- time basis I am a part-time wheelchair user, this means that one day I can use my chair, and the next I can be walking with my stick. Being able to use a wheelchair on a part-time basis allows me to manage my energy levels and reduce pain, allowing me to function more effectively in everyday life. I am exactly the same person whether I use my stick or my chair, so why does the behaviour of others sometimes change? The difference in people's actions Over the last few years, I have noticed people act differently to me depending on the equipment that I am using at that time, yet it was when doing my food shopping, of all things, that made me realise what those differences were. I've noticed that when I use my stick, people don't tend to mind. I sometimes get a few inquisitive looks as they tried to figure out why a 19- year- old is using a walking stick, but apart from that it is fine. People in shops talk to me, telling me how much the items cost and expect me to pay- good job really considering it is my food for the week! Members of the public treat me like everyone else when navigating the pavement which can result in a fall if they bumped into me. This isn't always practical for myself, but then again I would much rather be treated like everyone else. What people don't often realise is that I can be very unsteady on my stick, one small knock and that's me on the floor! If I am using my stick in public people, many question my use of a blue badge, not necessarily verbally, but odd looks are more than enough evidence for this. Yet by using a blue badge on a good day it means I may be saved from a painful tomorrow, well that is the aim. While using my wheelchair On the other hand, when using my wheelchair it can be a very different story! It is extremely common for people to talk to the person I am with, rather than talking to myself, "Hello... I'm down here!". Some people may argue this is due to people not knowing how to respond to an individual in a wheelchair, or them being worried that they would say the wrong thing and offend me. Yet I can assure you I will not be offended when asked to pay for my weekly shop! I am completely capable of talking and communicating with you, just talk to me like you would talk to any other person. Also, when using my wheelchair in public, people often cannot move out of the way quick enough, sometimes moving half a metre away from me. Not only that, people start moving other people out of the way, getting them to completely part the traffic of people in attempt to stop me running them over! Don't get me wrong, this is a very nice gesture and certainly helps when getting where I need to be- just the complete opposite reaction to using my stick, but it can be amusing to see the looks of panic as people get closer to my chair. Understanding is key However, in my local supermarket the sign on the disabled toilet has recently been changed, making an extremely valid point. It is vital to understand that things like chronic pain (amongst so many others) are invisible to the public, but that does not mean they 'don't qualify' to use an accessible toilet. I feel this can go hand in hand with people who are part- time wheelchair users. Not every disability is visible but not every disability requires the same mobility aids all of the time, changing depending on how the individual is feeling at that exact time. Despite this, I am still me. I can talk to you when I am in a wheelchair and I will not run over your foot, well I will try my hardest not to! 'The Nod' The final observation I have found when using a wheelchair part- time is something I like to call 'the nod'. Now, 'the nod' is hard to describe if you don't use a wheelchair, but it happens when you go past another person in a wheelchair. Both people in the passing (myself and the other wheelchair user) simply nod at each other and smile. I know this sounds simple and it could be argued to happen between any two people when passing on the street, yet when I was in France the only nod I got was from another wheelchair user... So why does 'the nod' occur? This is hard to say for certain, yet it seems to be some kind of mutual respect, maybe "I know what it's like" kind of respect. However, when I've attempted 'the nod' to a fellow wheelchair user whilst using a stick, it didn't have the same effect, so it must be a wheelchair thing! Like what you have just read? More content like this can be found at www.cpstudentblog.blogspot.co.uk

Who am I? Hi! I’m Pippa. I was born in 1989 with Cystic Fibrosis. Diagnosed at the age of two I was lucky enough to stay remarkably well throughout my childhood. Although interspersed with trips to hospitals in both London and Cambridge the reality most of the time was that with medication my life was barely different to anyone else’s. I completed school, a gap year, a ski season, a degree in History at Reading University and a second ski season with little regard to my condition but sadly, as is the nature of Cystic Fibrosis, gradually my condition began to decline and my symptoms became more evident. At first this simply meant regular courses of IV antibiotics, often at home so I could continue working in my PR job which I loved, but gradually, and most obviously over the last 18 months before my transplant, it meant extended hospital stays, what seemed like hundreds of different medicines and in some cases a need for additional oxygen. In November 2016 my doctors and I finally decided it was time to go on the Transplant List. A scary but necessary step as my own lungs were obviously getting worse and the reality is you can often wait more than two years for a suitable donor. Once on the list, and with no idea about when I might get that call, I returned to work with my fingers crossed and a ‘bat phone’ constantly in my hand. Soon ill again with an acute infection, I was admitted to hospital in an attempt to make me well enough for the transplant to still be a viable option, at this point if I couldn’t have the transplant, we were running out of ways to go. Post transplant it was remarkable how quickly I felt well again. From being unable to walk or talk without oxygen, only half an hour post waking up from surgery I was sat up in a chair and eating jelly, three days later I was walking around the ward and just 14 days after my transplant I was off home with a new pair of lungs safely installed; a gift I will be forever in debt to my donor and their family for. The day I was discharged While the alternatives are obviously unthinkable, there are still challenges after such major surgery. As a complete foodie all my life, the one that immediately stood out to me was the food limitations that would now be imposed on me. Taking a concoction of immune suppressants meant that there was suddenly a whole list of foods that were off limits and an additional list of considerations when it came to food purchase and preperation. Suddenly, eating was something that had to be thought about in a different way and calculated in terms of risk rather than just something I could enjoy. With hundreds of cookbooks at home, I was faced with the reality that I could no longer simply open one and cook from it and I decided I wanted to do something about it. I have always been a foodie and proof of this is that after my operation I was unable to speak but the first thing I wrote on a piece of paper for my mum said, ‘I want some lunch’. Priorities. What I’m doing Post transplant I soon realised that although hospital dieticians were able to provide the ‘cans and cant’s’ I wanted more than this. I wanted to be able to enjoy food like I always had, without having to factor in concern or edit recipes to fit my new dietary limitations. I headed to the internet expecting to find a solution, but I found nothing for those on immune suppressants, which shocked me considering how many people are reliant on these medications every day. I have set up the Instagram account @nowwhatcanieat in the hope that I can begin to build a community of people who are either in the same or similar situation as me or effected by it in some way whether that was because they work in the field or because they had friends or family who are affected. I’m also working on some other projects... Now What Can I Eat - The Book www.kickstarter.com/projects/nowwhatcanieat/now-what-can-i-eat-the-book A book crammed full of recipes, from loads of different chefs, restaurants and well known foodies, that are 100% immune suppression friendly. With not only the right ingredients but with all necessary cooking steps included in the method to ensure anyone can prepare safe and delicious food. The idea being that those who are dealing with illness, their friends and family have enough to worry about without having to think about food too. And for those who aren't limited by diet, a beautiful recipe book crammed with recipes donated by some of the UK's favourite chefs with the added benefit that by buying 'Now What Can I Eat' and supporting the campaign you are helping others too! I hope the below answers any questions you may have but please just get in touch if you have any queries! Q. Why? A. As a complete foodie all my life post transplant one of the things that immediately stood out to me was the food limitations that would now be imposed on me. Taking a concoction of immune suppressant medication meant that there was suddenly a whole list of foods that were off limits, things such as rare meat, blue cheeses, soft boiled eggs to name a few and an additional list of considerations when it came to food purchase and preparation. Suddenly, eating was something that had to be thought about in a different way and calculated in terms of risk rather than just something I could enjoy. With hundreds of cookbooks at home, I was faced with the reality that I could no longer simply open one and cook from it and I decided I wanted to do something about it. Q. Is it just those who have had transplants that follow these rules? A. No! I soon realised that in fact the diet that I was now restricted to was not simply for those who had received transplants. There are thousands of people in the UK alone who are dealing with taking immune suppressants every day and so are restricted by the same dietary rules. This includes anyone who has had an organ transplant, many people undergoing chemotherapy, those who have crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis or other autoimmune diseases as well as other conditions. Q. When will we actually have the book? A. With the timings we have planned at the moment the book will be available for everyone by December 2018 - the perfect Christmas gift! If you support us in the crowd funding though you will get your hands on a copy before anyone else. Q. What will the book look like? A. I want the book to look like a completely 'normal' cookbook - filled with beautiful images and recipes donated by some of the UK's favourite chefs. It will include recipes for breakfasts, quick lunches, dinners in front of the TV, meals for special occasions and everything in between. There will be some specific and expert medical advice at the forward of the book but I intend for other requirements and changes to recipes to be almost unnoticeable. This way cooking from the book will be a carefree experience and not a constant reminder of limitations and illness. Q. Why do you need so much money? A. Creating a book is expensive, and creating a cookbook is more expensive than most. You need to pay for the design, the proofing, the printing as well as the photography. With this book we also need to spend some money to employ a dietician to check each and every recipe is completely okay for the immune suppressed. We want the book to compete with the 'normal' cookbooks that you buy - full of delicious images and we definitely don't want it to look like a booklet or medical text which lectures about diet rather than inspires you to get into the kitchen. The aim is that with the money raise we will create a book which can sit amongst other 'normal' cookbooks, look just as great and become a staple resource within your kitchen - whether you're cooking for someone who is immune suppressed or not. In addition, from the funds raised we will be able to donate a contribution to some very important charities to me - initially Papworth Hospital Charity, where I had my transplant and The Brompton Hospital Charity, the hospital that kept me alive long enough that a transplant was possible. The more we raise the more we will be able to donate but at a minimum its a significant amount. Q. Whats next? A. Well you've made it this far which is great (thanks) So right now I've got the idea, I've got the support of the chefs, dieticians and a publisher so now all I need to do to make the idea a reality is raise the funds to get the printing press rolling… And that's where you come in… I would be hugely grateful if after reading the above you might consider donating to support my project - the sum may seem large, if were going to do this I want to do it properly and create something great, but I hope with the support of as many people as possible it is achievable. As you will see you can pledge varying amounts and I really do appreciate anything you might be able to donate. Every little really does help and I would love to be able to make this dream a reality and have a positive and lasting legacy from my journey over the last few years.

הקיום שלנו הוא בעל ערך! שלום, שמי קטיה אליזבת ואני בת 26. אני סובלת מזה זמן רב מכאב כרוני. אף פעם לא קיבלתי עזרה או הלכתי לרופא בעבר כי הביטוח הרפואי היה אכזבה גדולה בשבילי, אבל בכל קיץ הסימפטומים שלי החמירו. סוף סוף הבנתי שאני סובלת מדיסטוניה, עקמת, ראייה כפולה ומצבים לא כל כך נעימים ודי מביכים אחרים. לא ידעתי מה קורה - כל מה שידעתי היה שלא היה לי איזון בזמן שהלכתי ושרגליי לא עשו את מה שרציתי לעשות. התחלתי לראות כפול שזה מפחיד והייתי מאוד מסוחררת. סחרחורת זה לא כיף. ביקרתי בבתי חולים רבים, פגשתי כמה רופאים לא נעימים שלא לקחו את הזמן לבחון אותי כראוי. הייתי כל כך אסירת תודה כשהבנתי לאיזו מרפאה מיוחדת אני צריכה ללכת. דיסטוניה היא תסמונת מוטורית הגורמת להתכווצויות קבוצות שרירים. זה הסביר את כל הכאבים שלי אז. הכאב היה כל כך נורא שלא יכולתי אפילו לדבר כי הגרון שלי במצב גרוע. הרגליים שלי פונות פנימה, אבל למזלי אני הולכת עכשיו לפיזיותרפיה. לא רציתי לחלוק את הסיפור שלי כי אני מרגישה שהסיפורים של כל האנשים היפים האלה כאן מהווים השראה יותר משלי. אני עדיין נלחמת בכל יום, ימים טובים וימים רעים. אני מרגישה כמו פיראט חמוד לפעמים וזה לא מביך כי יש לי מקל מגניב. למדתי שאנשים אוהבים אותי וזה שווה את המאבק! אני מקלה על הכאב עם שמן קנאביס, סוכריות גומי וכו'. מקווה להכיר חברים חדשים שיכולים להתחבר. Our Existence Is Valuable! Hello, my name is Katya Elizabeth and I am 26 years old. I have been suffering for quite a while now with chronic pain. I never got help or went to a doctor in the past because medical insurance was a big let down for me, but every summer my symptoms worsened. I finally figured out that I suffer from Dystonia, Scoliosis, Diplopia, and other not so pleasant conditions which are quite embarrassing. I didn’t really know what was going on- all I knew was that I didn’t have balance while walking and my legs didn’t want to do what I wanted them to do. I started seeing double, which is scary and I was very dizy. Vertigo is not fun. I visited many hospitals, met some unpleasant doctors who didn’t take the time to examine me properly. I was so grateful when I figured out which special clinic I needed to go to. Dystonia is a movement disorder in which muscles contract un-voluntary. This explained all my pain back then. The pain was so bad that I couldn’t even talk because my voice box was spasming so badly. My feet turn inward, but luckily I am now going to physical therapy. I didn’t want to share my story because I feel like all these beautiful people here sharing their story have more to look up to then me. I’m still fighting every day, good days and bad days. I feel like a cute pirate sometimes, which is not embarrassing because I have a cool cane. I learned that people love me and that’s worth the fight! My go-to for pain relief will have to be cbd oil, gummies etc. I hope to make new friends who can relate.

Girl Squad! First and foremost what ya'll need to know is that I do not think of myself as a model. I definitely take a lot of Instagram photos and I do my best to feel beautiful and to promote self love, but a model!? No way. Although, that all changed on the 29th of December 2017. I received a very cool Instagram message from a very colorful, vibrant and kind young lady known as Chrissa Sparkels! She's stunning and a literal pink fairy on this brown earth. She basically said she loved my look and would love if I could be in a photoshoot for a t-shirt that she designed for her clothing line! Something else you should know before I go on- I am very lucky to have met Tess Holliday, an American plus sized model. We become friends, and she has been very supportive of me and my look and welcomed me into her #EFFYOURBEAUTYSTANDARDS community through Instagram. So none other than Tess Holliday referred me to Chrissa SparkIes! I was baffled, here I was a woman with Arthrogryposis bound to a wheelchair with this incredible opportunity. An opportunity that could show a lot of people that no matter the disability, you can still be fashionable, sexy and confident! I of course went straight to Chrissas page and checked her out! She has over 63,000 followers, and she creates these amazing garments filled with color and love! How on earth did I get lucky enough to be introduced to her? And to be asked to be apart of her clothing line. I instantly replied and said "YES!" So, I learned that this photoshoot wasn't only for her clothing line and for the t-shirt she designed, it was also a campaign to fight cat calling! And that a portion of the proceeds from the shirt would go towards organizations that benefit individuals who have suffered from sexual harassment, abuse, and rape. How beautiful is that, and i wasn't the only lady lucky enough to be photographed, I was surrounded by seven other beautiful women of all types. Seven lovely ladies who were entrepreneurs, who were YouTubers, models, and all together inspirations. I suddenly got so nervous. How could I fit in with all these ladies? A little chubby cripple girl, sitting in a hunk of metal. How will I shine in these photos, what if I'm just an eye sore? What if my wheelchair gets in the way? The day of the photo shoot came and I was so nervous I even felt sick. I insisted my boyfriend come along, so I was comfortable with at least ONE person there. The whole car ride to Los Angeles, he tried reminding me that I'm a strong charasmatic lady. That I'm social and outgoing and I'll instantly become friends with everyone there, but I just couldn't get past this anxiety I was feeling. I'm a singer, I'm great at being on stage, I love performing and interacting with my audience. There is no problem there, but being in front of a camera scares the bloody hell out of me. Due to my disability I am incapable of lifting my arms so my poses are limited. Amongst my other insecurities such as my chubby face, big thighs, and acne. How was this going to work, I'm going to let Chrissa Sparkles and Tess Holiday down! Ya'll...IT WAS EPIC I didn't let ANYONE down. As soon as I arrived Chrissa was so uplifiting and kind, I felt so welcome. Then I met the girls! Oh my gosh, I cannot express how diverse and freaking beautiful all these humans were! And, they were all different shapes and sizes and ethnicities. We were all so imperfect which made us all so PERFECT! I have never been surrounded by such beauty before. Not one of these gals were rude, arrogant, or self involved. They were all kind, genuine and all together great human beings that I'm so honored to have been able to work with. I felt so welcomed and comfortable. I felt like I belonged there. Not only were the models great, but the photographer was the sweetest most gentle human I've met in a long time. She made me feel gorgeous, and model-worthy. She told me how to pose and directed me with such ease. And Chrissa, she encourged us all. It was such an uplifting experience that will stay with me forever. So there I was, surrounded by beauty. Now lets talk about the tee! Chrissa out did herself! It's pink, with a white collar and on the front is a big lush cat with multi colored eyes, on a rotary telephone. And above was the phrase "Fuck Cat Calling". Chrissa Sparkles managed to get a serious point across in such a sweet and cute way. This tee gave me confidence and made me feel lovely at the same time. Being a woman I have experienced cat calling, it started when I was only in junior high. I remember rolling home from school with a group of my gal pals and men would hollar at us, and say very inappropriate things to a group of 13 year old girls. Now as a grown woman, I still experience this from time to time. It's horrible and not flattering in any which way. Being apart of this campaign was so heart warming and heart breaking at the same time. Every one of us women had experienced cat calling, and harrassment and that is so sad to me. So, if any of you have experienced cat calling or any type of harassment, know that you're not alone, and it's not your fault. If you like the design and message, then feel free to visit ChrissaSparkles.com and order one of these empowering crop tops! I hope you enjoy some of the photos from the shoot! Follow us all on Insatgram: @MarnaWheels @ChrissaSparkles @StudioMucci @Willitlookgoodonmetho @Tiffyquake @Essynoir @Thesassytruth_ @Onlyaleigha @Iammadisonrose Photography by: Iris Ray @Irrisrray

התחלה צבעונית שלום חברי yoocan שלי! שמי ליבי. בהתבגרותי ידעתי שאני שונה. התקשיתי ללכת, המערכת החיסונית שלי הייתה חלשה ושברתי הרבה עצמות, אבל לא נתתי לזה לעצור אותי. הייתי סטודנטית והחלטתי להתחיל לרוץ כתחביב. לאחר שנים של מסירות הוענקה לי מלגה קטנה לשנת הלימודים הלפני אחרונה שלי במכללה. הגשמתי חלומות גדולים שעדיין מפתיעים אותי. העפלתי למרוץ ארוך שנערך באזור פתוח. זה הוביל למלגה גדולה למדי לאוניברסיטה. למרות שזה נשמע מרשים ואני מוקירה את הזיכרונות ואת ההזדמנות, לפחות 1/4 מכל עונה הייתי בחוץ בגלל פציעות או מחלה. כמובן שלא נתתי לזה לעצור אותי! אובחנתי עם תסמונת אהלרס-דנלוס (תסמונת גנטית הגורמת לפגיעה ברקמות החיבור בגוף), שפעול תאי הפיטום (התקפי הסמקה, תפרחת, גרד, קוצר נשימה ועוד) וגסטרופרזיס (שיתוק מוטורי חלקי של הקיבה). כמו כן אני בתהליך של בדיקות לפרכת. זו הייתה רכבת הרים גדולה מאוד ולא הייתי משנה דבר, אני מי שאני וזה יותר חשוב מהכל. Colorful Beginning Hello my yoocandoo’ers! My name is Libby and you can find my profile @ittybittytale. Growing up I knew I was different. I had trouble walking, a weak immune system, I broke and fractured bones a lot, but I didn’t let this stop me. I was a 4.0 student and decided to bring up running as a hobby. Years of dedication I was granted a tiny scholarship to a junior college. I made big dreams happen that still surprise me. I qualified for nationals in cross country. This lead to a pretty big scholarship to a University. Even though this sounds grand and I cherish the memories and the opportunity; at least 1/4 of every season I was out due to injuries or illness. I obviously didnt let that stop me! I was diagnosed with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, Mast Cell Activation Disease, Gastropariesis, and in the process of testing for Osteogenesis Imperfecta. It’s been a great roller coaster and nothing I’d ever change, I am who I am and that is the greatest of all things.

שוברת איסורים באיראן כדוגמנית עם מוגבלות הראשונה הסיפור הזה מתחיל כשהתחלתי להאמין בעצמי, לאהוב את הווייתי, והעזתי למצוא דרך מעבר ולמרות המכשולים הרבים שעמדו בפני. כך הפכתי לאישה עם מוגבלות הראשונה בתחום הדוגמנות במדינתי ואני מעודדת אנשים אחרים במצבי להשלים עם החברה שלהם. חוץ מדוגמנות מקצועית אני גם מתאמנת ברכיבה על סוסים, מרוצי מכוניות ושחייה. יש לי תוכנית עסוקה לעתיד. אם אני יכולה לעשות זאת, אז גם אתם! Breaking Taboos In Iran As The First Disabled Model This story starts from where I began to believe in myself, to love my being, and dared to figure out a way beyond and despite the many obstacles ahead of me. That’s how I became the very first disabled woman in the field of modeling in my country, leaving a track behind to encourage other people in my situation to reconcile with their society. Besides professional modeling I also practice horse-riding, motor racing, and swimming. I have a busy plan for future. If I can do it, so can you!

אבחנת הסוכרת מסוג 1 לא הייתה הפתעה היי, שמי טים לירי, נולדתי ב-1983. בגיל 7 בשנת 1991, אובחנתי עם סוכרת מסוג 1. לאמא שלי יש גם סוכרת מסוג 1 מאז שהיתה בת 7, כך שגם הורי הכירו את התסמינים. הייתי עור ועצמות, תמיד שתיתי מים והלכתי לשירותים. בית הספר ממש התקשר להורי בעבר ודיבר איתם על כמות המים שתמיד שתיתי וביקוריי בשירותים. ביום ראשון אחד אמא שלי התקשרה לאנדוקרינולוגית שלה ובאותו יום הלכתי ישר לבית החולים. אני זוכר את זה כאילו זה היה אתמול (לא יודע את התאריך רק את השנה), להיות מחובר לאינפוזיה ואז ללמוד להשתמש במד גלוקוז בדם ולהזריק עם בקבוקון ומזרק. Type One Diabetes Diagnosis Was No Surprise Hi, My name is Tim Leary, I was born in 1983. At 7 years old in 1991, I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes. My Mum also has had Type One Diabetes since she was 7, so both my parents knew the signs. I was skin and bone, always drinking water and going to the toilet. The school actually called my parents previously and spoke with them about the amount of water I was always drinking and toilet visits. My Mum already had a blood glucose meter, so she did a BGL and I was HI 27mmol/L, so she called her endocrine (who is a type one) on a Sunday and that day I went straight to Hospital. I remember it like it was yesterday (I do not know the date only the year, I do not know my Diaversary), being hooked up to a drip, then learning to use a blood glucose meter (colour coded tabs back then) and injecting with a vial and syringe (used insulin pens, and now a pump years later). ואז הגיעה האבחנה של טרשת נפוצה ב-2008 בגיל 26 אובחנתי עם טרשת נפוצה (RRMS). הייתי עייף מאוד כל הזמן ולא מאוזן, הייתה לי ראייה כפולה לסירוגין וחולשה בצד ימין. הרגשתי נורא ללכת לאוניברסיטה ולעבוד, ידעתי שמשהו לא בסדר וזה הלך והחמיר. עשיתי בדיקות קטון והסוכרת שלי הייתה בטווח, אז הלכתי לרופא שלי שחשב שיש לי זיהום באוזן. זה היה זמן הבחינה שבועיים אז אני גם צריך לכתוב לו טופס רפואי לעבודה ואוניברסיטה. הייתי בערך שלושה שבועות עם כל הסימפטומים, הקאתי ולא יכולתי ללכת ישר. הרופא עשה בדיקות איזון וכוח והפנה אותי לנוירולוג שעשה בדיקות ושלח אותי ישר ל-MRI. למחרת אחר הצהריים אובחנתי עם טרשת נפוצה. אני זוכר את זה בבירור כי עברתי אצל 3 נוירולוגים והחלפתי תרופות רבות, כרגע על אלמטוזומאב. אני אדם שקט ולא חולק את הסיפור שלי אלא אם נשאלתי או כשחם ואני צולע :), אז תודה שנתתם לי לחלוק. And then the Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) Diagnosis In 2008 at age 26 I was diagnosed with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS). I was feeling extremely exhausted all the time and had bad balance always falling over, had on and off double vision and experienced weakness on my right side. I had felt terrible going to university and work, and I knew something was wrong and it was getting worse and worse. I did ketone checks, million BGL checks- diabetes was all coming back in range, so I went to my GP who thought I had an inner ear infection. It was exam time in two weeks so I also got him to write me a medical form for work and university. I went probably three weeks still with all symptoms so my Mum drove me to her GP because I was vomiting, and couldn't walk straight. The doctor did balance and strength tests and referred me to a neurologist who did tests and sent me straight for an MRI. The next afternoon I had the RRMS diagnosis. I remember that clearly as I had previously been through 3 Neuros and multiple drugs and am now on Lemtrada. I'm a quiet person and don't share my story unless asked or if it's hot and I'm limping around :), so thank you for letting me share.

Want to keep your life positive? YOOCAN! I've often heard, "People that are always positive are fake." "How can I be positive when things aren't great? OR "How do you stay so positive all the time?" The truth is that anyone can have a positive mindset! If you have challenges in your life, it may take work (like most things in life), but YOOCAN DO IT! Here are 10 tips for creating positive vibes in your life! Tip #1: Focus on the Good Stuff Nobody said life would be easy, but when you focus on the negative aspects or events in life - that's what you're going to get, more negativity. We've all been there: You feel heavy, low and depressed. You can't see the light at the end of the tunnel. You have 0 motivation. All it takes are a few positive thoughts to pull you out of the abyss of sadness. Grab a piece of paper & pen. I want you to write down all of the positive things in your life. I'll help you start... 1. You're alive! (You may think this is silly, but life is so precious and not to be taken for granted.) Keep going! I know you can come up with at least 10 positive things in your life! Don't overthink your list! The tiniest positive things in your life are just as important as the big things - like landing your dream job. Without those tiny victories, the large victories wouldn't be possible. Tip #2: Say Cheese Maybe you've heard these encouraging facts about smiling... • Smile when you are sad to create endorphines in your body. This reminds me of the saying,"Fake it until you make it." That's exactly what you need to do in this case! • Genuine smiles boost your immune system by decreasing cortisol in your body. How cool is that?! • Smiling is contagious. Not only will you make yourself happier by smiling, but you'll also lift up the people around you. Sharing is caring! Show those pearly whites, and begin feeling better! Tip #3: Unplug I think we can all agree that many people are addicted to their electronics - more specifically, the internet. There's a great quote by Anne Lamott that is simple but true... "Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." -Anne Lamott I've noticed when on social media I tend to be envious or experience other unhealthy and negative feelings about my life. I'm so busy comparing myself to others and their lifestyles that I forget all of the wonderful things within my own life. This can often lead to sadness. "Unplugging" has been on the rise, as more and more people recognize the unhealthy side effects of staying virtually connected 24/7. Life is happening NOW! Right in front of your eyes! Put down the electronics, get away from the overstimulation and go experience life, rather than trying to capture it on your device. I promise, living life is much better than showing off what you've done in a day on social media. Like nature? Go outside. Like reading? Grab your favourite book. Creative? Start doodling. (or noodling, if you're a musician) It doesn't have to be anything out of the ordinary. Learn to be present & enjoy the moment, rather than showing it to the world via the internet. We will all believe you when you say you went to that place or did that thing that is supposed to be the "newest, latest & greatest." Tip #4: Stay Grateful Living in a place of gratitude is one of the best decisions I've ever made in my life. When you genuinely recognize all the things that we are grateful for, it's difficult to feel bad. Remember that list of positive things in your life that you were making? This is the second part of that list. While we may be grateful for positive aspects of our lives, it's also important to recognize and be grateful for the bad things in our lives. WHAT?! BE GRATEFUL FOR THE BAD THINGS?! Yes, you read that correctly. BE GRATEFUL FOR THE BAD THINGS! Why? I'll tell you why... The bad things in life teach us lessons and make us stronger people. When you endure and get past bad situations you have tougher skin for the next things you will go through. I believe having epilepsy has made me an incredribly strong and determined person. Without having epilepsy, I don't know if I would be where I am today... a place of happiness & joy. Make another list & write down the tough stuff in life. Beside each thing or situation, write what you learned & how it helped to contribute to the person you are today. Stay grateful, always. Tip #5: Pray I used to be scared of the word "pray." I'm not a religious person in my adulthood, but I was raised in a religious family. To me, the word "pray" always meant to thank or ask a particular religious figure for something. I've been to multiple churches and learned about multiple religions, but the idea of religion just never resonated with me. I guess I would consider myself to be "spiritual." I do believe in some sort of higher power, that we are all connected and that everything is enegry. I also believe in being a "good" person, doing the "right" thing, having compassion & empathy, doing no harm, and helping others. Then, something clicked one day after reading a quote by Eckhart Tolle. "If the only prayer you ever say is "Thank you," that will be enough. - Eckhart Tolle I thought to myself,"Thank you is a prayer? But, who am I thanking? What am I thanking them for?" Regardless, I decided to give it a try. I began praying each morning on my way to work. I would put instrumental music of some sort on, enjoy the music for a few minutes - until I calmed my morning anxiety, take a few deep breaths and say, "Thank you." quietly. I noticed a different type of calmness come over me after saying this. Even though I never heard, "You're welcome." I felt it. Not in the typical fashion of someone replying after doing a favor, but more of a "Don't worry about anything. Let go." I felt lighter... As months progressed, I began incorporating more into my prayers, still not knowing whom I'm praying to each day. Then, one day my husband was in an accident. I prayed. I prayed to whomever was listening. I prayed harder than I had ever prayed before. When I began not only thinking but voicing my gratitude, my life shifted. My perspective shifted. I could see how the good & bad things in life created not only balance but a path. And, though the path is not always easy, it is what's necessary for you to learn lessons and get to where you're supposed to be in life. Eventually, my life and mentality began to improve. I had a happier outlook, I understood things a little bit better, I was more grateful, and I found myself letting things go a little more each day. So remember... "If the only prayer you ever say is "Thank you," that will be enough."-Eckhart Tolle Tip #6: Happy Music Happy music is characterized by major keys and an upbeat tempo. When you listen to happy music, your brain releases dopamine, which makes you feel happier. Not only does it cause your brain to release dopamine, but it also helps to alleviate pain. Don't expect miracles, but there are scientific studies to prove the healing effects of music on the body. When you are in a good mood, you want to listen to happy music. When you are in a sad mood, you want to listen to sappy songs. Turns out, when we are listening to music, we are searching for songs that match our current emotions. In this way, music helps to keep our emotions balanced. The above reasons can all contribute to this next reason for listening to music... Music improves your mood. It not only improves your mood, but it contributes to a better quality of life. It only takes 2 weeks to improve your overall happiness by listening to happy music. So put on your favourite jams, and do a happy dance! Tip #7: Meditate I'm not going to lie. I haven't meditated in a while, but I should. Meditation is beneficial for many areas of your life, but here are some specific reasons related to keeping positive vibes: • Meditating reduces stress. There have been so many studies on stress and how mediation can improve life's stress. While mediation is great at reducing anxiety, other studies have shown that mediation literally reduces the densite of brain tissues that are associated with worrying and anxiety. • Meditating decreases physical & emotional pain. This is going to blow your mind. Supposedly, meditation has the capability to reduce pain - physical & mental - more than morphine. • Mediation boosts your immune system. There are many forms of meditation and more than a few have been proven to boost your immune system, while making you less likely to get an infection or virus. These are great reasons to meditate, but there are so many more. (too many to list here) Not only will it improve your quality of life, but improve how you feel physically & mentally. Tip #8: Laugh This may seem obvious, but when we aren't happy we are drawn to things that match our mood. (sulking, listening to sappy music, watching sad movies, or reading sad books) We don't think about laughing... Try watching a comedy movie, listen to stand-up comedy, read a funny book, or sketch silly doodles. You could even play with photo filters to amuse yourself. The list is endless. • Much like smiling, laughing will make others happy. Have you ever heard a child's laughter and smiled? It's so joyful and genuine. Our brains are wired to smile when we see others laughing. • Remember that saying... "Laughter is the best medicine." Laughing has been proven to improve memory, blood vessel function and immunity. It also helps improve and regulate blood sugar levels. Some have even claimed that laughter cures cancer, while others say it is a complimentary therapy. Either way, there are definitely benefits to being easily amused! Tip #9: Let Go Letting go can be a bit tricky. Not only is it a multi-step process, but sometimes it requires doing the steps more than once to feel closure. The longer you've held on to the hurt, the longer it will take to heal. What are these steps to letting go? I'll tell you! • Acknowledge the hurt you feel. Someone wronged you, and you've held on to that hurt. Not having resolution is eating you up inside. It's OK. Acknowledge and accept the hurt and understand why you feel like you do. • Decide to forgive the person that wronged you. When you do this, understand this is not to let the other person off the hook. This is to unburden yourself or to forgive yourself for holding on for so long - depending on your situation. • Let go of the negative emotions you've been feeling. Anger, resentment, sadness, or guilt - let them all go. These emotions have been weighing you down, and healing means letting them go and moving forward towards a resolution for the situation. • Focus on the future. Decide how you would like this situation to play out in the future. Come up with steps to move towards a resolution and act on those steps. Let go of any thoughts of the past, and move forward with a clean slate. Letting go reduces stress in our lives and improves our quality of lives by releasing burdens and putting less energy towards negative aspects of our lives. It is important to stay positive minded and focus on happy & healthy relationships. Tip #10: Turn Off the News There are so many negative news stories out there. It's rare to read or hear positive things in the news these days. With so much negativity surrouding us, how can we keep a positive mind? We can't! Taking breaks from negative influences in your life, such as the news can be beneficial for your mental health. Try reading happy news stories or watching heartwarming videos about animals. When we focus on the negative, that's all we see. Keep your focus on the good in your life, and you'll begin to understand the importance of being happy and keeping positive vibes.Find positive story sources, such as YOOCAN, and surround yourself with positivity and joy!