A Quadruple Amputees Perseverance
In late 2013 when Alex first started feeling ill, he thought he just had a case of the flu. But when he noticed blood in his urine and blotchy, bruised areas on his skin, he knew it was something more…
Pressure Sores: From Development To Healing
Pressure sores are a very serious topic for wheelchair users. They can develop quickly and get worse even faster if proper action isn’t taken. And in some cases, even with the best care, surgery may be the only answer to…
Being A Mouth Makeup Artist
Meet Jessica Ruiz, a talented makeup artist with a unique way of applying makeup to her clients’ eyes and lips. She uses her mouth. Finding her passion Jessica was born with arthrogryposis, a disease which limits hand and arm movements. While…
How To Push A Shopping Cart
When you have to push your own set of wheels, pushing an additional set of wheels can get complicated. Whether you need to push a shopping cart or a stroller, managing to push while still moving forward yourself takes some…
Stay Positive Because It Will Get Better
“I just know that anytime I’m having a bad day…that’s going to happen to anybody whether you’re a quad, para or able-bodied." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KN_2xpkZUrQ “If it’s a bad day, it’s a bad day. Let it go. Do what you gotta do…
Leg Bag Setup And How To Empty
Shawn Fluke, a quadriplegic, shares his setup and management of his leg bag so help others avoid spilling and splashing. https://youtu.be/fgBmypBT-NM “When I pull up to the toilet, I usually try to pull up at the same 90 degree angle so I can…
Mobility of a C5-6 Quadriplegic
Shawn Fluke, a C5-6 quadriplegic, takes off his shirt to demonstrate the muscles he’s retained function in since he broke his neck. https://youtu.be/U1xOpnLv71c He starts off with his shoulders. “I have pretty strong shoulders, I work them out a lot,” he…
How To Manage Autonomic Dysreflexia
Autonomic dysreflexia (AD) is a serious condition that affects individuals with spinal cord injuries (typically those with a T6 level or higher spinal cord injury). https://youtu.be/ltci5M48-bU When an AD episode occurs, it must be addressed immediately. If left untreated, it…
Ventilator Dependent Quadriplegic Back In The Workforce
Brian Denny wanted a job. In his mind, this was no easy feat. With a C3-4 spinal cord injury, the Columbia, South Carolina resident has no use of his arms and uses a sip-and-puff mechanism to operate his power wheelchair. While his resume boasted…
Seek Empathy, Not Pity
I sometimes find myself lacking it. This is something I struggle with on almost a daily basis. It’s almost embarrassing to type and to think I actually feel this way, but I do. Maybe it’s because I don’t expect someone…