You say it every Summer. “This is the year I‘m going to try something new,” when it comes to getting out of your activity comfort zone. Something that gets you outside, gets you healthy, and *gasp*, something that’s even fun. There are a variety of adapted sports and activities you can [..}
Adapted yoga continues to improve my abilities
by on May 17, 2010
Adapted yoga, the art of adjusting yoga poses for students of all abilities, has become a hugely buzzed about movement spearheaded by paraplegic Matt Sanford, an adapted yoga guru from Minneapolis. What’s not to love about using yoga to get people to reconnect with their whole bodies again, [..}
Bring some green into your life: Adapted Gardening
by on April 20, 2010
Plants are cool people. Damn cool. Some proof: After breaking my neck, sometimes the only thing that would keep me warm during the icy grips of a Minnesota winter was a visit to the Como Park Conservatory. Everything - the orchids, ferns, palm trees - combined with the 80+ humid air, was like a [..}
The importance of having someone who truly understands you
by on March 18, 2010
As I’ve mentioned before, I was 14 when I had my diving accident. While it’s never fun to get injured at any age, I’m pretty sure the cusp of teenagedom is be one of worst ages to get injured at. At 14, you care way too much what people think, you’re already trying to figure out who you [..}
Lessons From my Epic Battle with Pneumonia
by on February 21, 2010
I’m usually a healthy quadriplegic. The kind that never gets sick, never has skin issues, never needs to see a doctor (except for the occasional UTI). I was the “untouchable quad” for 17 years, and I loved every second of it. Well, that all changed January 31st, 2010, when I got Pneumonia (the [..}
Survive a Minnesota winter from your wheelchair (and live to tell about it)
by on January 11, 2010
I’m the quadriplegic version of Laura Ingalls. I’ve experienced more than 1,350 “classic Upper Midwest” winter days as a wheelchair-user, and experience-wise, it’s everything you might imagine it is. There‘s bitterly cold temperatures and legs that seemingly never warm up if you dare [..}
A less-than perfect 2009 can’t crack my armor
by on December 14, 2009
Let’s be honest, 2009 will probably go down as one of the most stressful years seen in this country (especially for those who weren’t alive to experience the Depression). I know it wasn’t easy for me, from cutbacks on writing gigs, cancer in the family, a suicide, bad dating luck, not to [..}
I’m no Julia Child, but I can cook a mean alfredo sauce while sitting on my booty
by on November 9, 2009
And if being able to complete all of the steps required to make my mom’s alfredo sauce, a.k.a. “white” sauce, that delicious worth-the-possible-heart-attack butter, cream, and parmesan cheese creation with only the use of these curled up fingers, arm muscles that work at 50%, AND sitting in a [..}
Halloween’s almost here! Costume ideas for wheelchair-users
by on October 6, 2009
As a way of coping through the years, or maybe I’m just obsessed, but costuming - all cleverly worn from my wheelchair - has become a big time passion of mine. Over the years I’ve dressed-up from everything from a landlocked mermaid (who had no choice but to use a wheelchair, fins = can’t [..}
Standing Strong
by on September 29, 2009
I haven’t stood on my own power since August 25th, 1993. That’s 16 years and 2 weeks give or take. And while assisted standing isn’t pure unadulterated, like running through the grass or posing for an artist standing, my EasyStand 2400 stander does get me on my feet. If it wasn’t for this [..}
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