Editor’s Note: During deployment in 2004 as a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in Iraq, Tammy Duckworth lost both of her legs when her aircraft was struck. Harnessing her desire to continue serving her country, the Purple Heart recipient began devoting her time to advocating for wounded Veterans, and in 2009, President Obama appointed her to […]
What started as a small music festival of 700 attendees in 1987 has turned into one of the most prominent gatherings in the nation today. At South by Southwest each March, emerging artists sign record deals, independent filmmakers get their big break, and startup tech companies go viral. The founders of the festival had a […]
For many people, the month of January represents a new beginning, an opportunity to make changes in your life where you feel you have failed in the past. As someone living with paralysis, I’ve come to the realization that there is no reason to dwell on the past. Our mistakes and tragedies are not meant to […]
February is a short month, but that doesn’t mean there’s no time for educational activities, fundraising, and fun! If you’re looking for ways to get involved in celebrating and supporting the disability community this month, consider one of these five events. 1) Annual African American Conference on Disabilities February 15, 2019 • Phoenix, AZ For the […]
Editor’s Note: When Franklin Elieh and Nick Struthers, both living with spinal cord injury, met while doing volunteer peer support work at a hospital in northern California, they discovered there was a major gap in service for newly discharged SCI patients. Panic and anxiety was a common reaction when families realized they would soon be […]
As each year comes to a close, we like to look back and reflect on the people we met, the journeys we went on, and the lessons we learned. In 2018, we talked to adventure travelers, authors, filmmakers, techies, physical therapists, fitness gurus, entrepreneurs, and more. We learned so much from each and every person […]
Editor’s Note: Clay Garner, a successful entrepreneur and businessman, was nearing retirement when nagging lower back pain eventually led to hip replacement surgery. A few weeks prior to his scheduled operation, groin pain and troubles urinating landed him in the emergency room. Tests showed a swollen prostate and an infection, which, following a procedure and […]
Editor’s Note: When an orchestra performed at her school, 10-year-old Gaelynn Lea decided she wanted to learn to play the violin. However, as an electric wheelchair user born with osteogenesis imperfecta, she couldn’t hold the instrument the traditional way. With the help of one of her teachers, she developed her own unique method of playing […]
People with disabilities make up the nation's largest minority with nearly 20% of the US population living with some type of disability. Unlike racial or ethnic groups, anyone can become part of the disability community at any time. Unfortunately, people with disabilities experience discrimination on a daily basis. Diversity Inclusion The concept of diversity inclusion encompasses […]
Editor’s Note: Connie Cardenas grew up running, and even into early adulthood, her life revolved around the sport. In her early 20s, she set out to qualify for the Boston Marathon but soon after started experiencing hip pain. Assuming her injury stemmed from overtraining, she cut back her running schedule drastically, but the pain remained. […]
