When you undergo a traumatic injury, life as you planned it can change in a second. After you’ve gone through the grieving process, you may be asking yourself “what now?” Sometimes your career can continue with some modifications; other times…
There’s no doubt cigarette smoking has a bad reputation. And there’s medical evidence showing that smoking can lead to things like heart disease, cancer, and lung disease. But for people with paralysis, there are additional ways that smoking can be…
Mike contracted meningitis and septicaemia in 2014. The infection caused Mike to lose the use of his hands, arms, legs, and feet. Even the muscles in his face were temporarily paralyzed. Now facing life as a quadriplegic, Mike says he…
Pressure sores are a big concern for wheelchair users, particularly for individuals who have no sensation, like those with spinal cord injuries. Kristin, a physical therapist and owner of SCI Total Fitness, offers some information on pressure relief and techniques…
Jon was born with muscular dystrophy. The only parts of his body he can move are his eyes and lips. "And yet… I have an amazing life." Jon has traveled the world, started a business, and is now living a…
Meg demonstrates how she uses an electric can opener to open a can of beans. Meg is a quadriplegic with no finger movement, and while she is able to open a can using a manual opener, the electric one is easier…
In August, 2012, the doctors removed a 3.1 cm tumor growing in my spinal cord at the C-3/C-4 level. Luckily it was benign, but the nerves were so entangled around the tumor that when I woke from surgery I was…
Kyia is a paraplegic who has mastered the art of transferring to the driver’s seat of her SUV. It’s something she’s had to practice over and over in order to be able to do as efficiently as she does. I'm…
In January of 2017, Daniel was involved in a three-vehicle crash that instantly changed his life. He recalls the moment he knew something was terribly wrong. "I couldn't feel my legs,” he shares. “I remember a lady from the ambo…
Transferring from a wheelchair to a bed can be a tricky skill to master, especially when you have limited movement in your upper extremities. Rachelle is a C6 quadriplegic with no finger movement and limited triceps strength. Through practice and…