A Roadmap to Adapted Driving

By: Cheryl Angelelli

Getting your driver’s license is an exciting and highly anticipated rite of passage for most teenagers. Not for me. I remember being terrified sitting behind the wheel for the first time with a driver’s education instructor. Just four years earlier, I had sustained a C6 incomplete spinal cord injury and thought… how was driving going to be possible?

I have come a long way and put many miles on the road since that fateful day. Adapted driving solutions have also come a long way. Whether you have a spinal cord injury like I do, an upper or lower extremity amputation, or you are only able to use one arm following a stroke, adapted driving solutions can restore your independence and ability to get back on the road.

Today, many types of hand controls are available, including lever controls, push/rock controls, push/pull controls, and even electronic hand controls. A mobility specialist can help you choose the right hand controls for your needs, and customize them to suit your individual preferences and needs.

One of the most popular types of hand control, and the one I use, is a radial hand control. It allows me to control the brake and accelerator pedal with one hand. I simply push the lever down towards the floor to accelerate, and I push the same lever forward to brake. Since my injury occurred when I was 14 years old, it was easy for me to adapt to this way of driving since it’s the only way I have ever known.

There are also options when it comes to adapting your steering wheel, such as spinner knobs to allow drivers to steer more easily with one hand, lightened or zero-effort steering, or an amputee ring for drivers using a prosthetic hook.

As for getting my wheelchair in and out of my vehicle, for years I used to physically lift my manual wheelchair into my mini van, until a year ago when changes in my mobility and balance made it unsafe to continue doing so. I was faced with a big decision on what type of lift to install. Would I go with a folding ramp and if so, did I want it to be side entry or back entry? Did I want a platform lift or a hoist? Decisions…decisions…decisions. I ultimately went with a newer option from Adapt Solutions. Instead of the driver’s seat swiveling and descending to my wheelchair height, I have a transfer bench I sit on that lifts me up to seat level and then I slide into the driver’s seat. It is a less costly option. And instead of a traditional lift, I have a mechanical arm that grabs the back of my wheelchair, lifts it into the car, and stores my chair behind the driver’s seat.

I am grateful my initial fears about driving took a backseat to my desire to be more independent. Driving opened up a whole new world for me—more than a means of transportation, it provides freedom, self-sufficiency, and connection to my friends, family, and community.

Losing the ability to drive due to disability can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately, statistics also show that people with disabilities are less likely to own or have access to vehicles than people without disabilities. One reason is cost. Depending on the modifications you need, it can be very cost prohibitive.

Here are some resources and suggestions to help offset some of the costs of purchasing a vehicle and/or adapted driving equipment.

Manufacturer Reimbursement Programs

Many vehicle manufacturers offer mobility assistance reimbursement for accessible vehicle equipment, up to $1,000. For example, when I purchased my Pacifica, Stellantis’ DriveAbility Program covered the cost of my hand controls and the installation by an accredited National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) installer.

Local Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

If your vehicle will be used for employment, your local vocational rehabilitation agency may provide funding for vehicle modifications. Because I need my vehicle to get to work, Michigan Rehabilitation Services covered the cost of my wheelchair lift and transfer bench, including installation. Before investing in any vehicle or equipment, check with your local vocational rehab agency to learn about their criteria and stipulations.

Veterans Affairs

If you have a service-related disability, you may be eligible for funding to help you buy or modify a vehicle so you can drive.

State Assistive Technology Programs

Contact the assistive technology program in your state to learn about local funding options such as alternative loans for people with disabilities. These low-interest loans can be used for vehicles and vehicle modifications in many cases.

Consider Buying Used

Look for a used vehicle for more savings. Check with your local mobility dealer to learn what’s available in your area.

For more information about adapted driving, you can visit the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association at nmeda.org, or access the online resource center at United Spinal Association at unitedspinal.org. Both websites have lots of articles and tips on adapted driving and equipment.

Make sure to visit United Spinal’s listing of available grants for people with disabilities to learn about funding offered by various organizations. The grants are categorized by area of focus, each with its own eligibility criteria.

Returning to activities after a spinal cord injury

On the way to the grocery store during a camping trip in Pennsylvania, Zac Wolfe’s life changed forever when the driver of the single cab truck he was riding in overcompensated a turn causing the truck to hit an embankment and roll over. At 19 years old, he remembers going in and out of consciousness, face down on the road, after getting crushed under the weight of the flipped truck’s dashboard. Zac was life lifted to UPMC Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA and quickly learned he had a spinal cord injury.

“I remember thinking, I have no idea what a spinal cord injury is,” Zac says. “I thought I’d be ok in a few days.” Zac has a C5/6 injury.
Zac Wolfe

Zac grew up wrestling, driving 4-wheelers and spending a lot of time outdoors. He was an on-the-go type kid that had been hurt before and always bounced back. When Zac got to rehab after seven days in ICU, he couldn't sit up on the edge of the bed by himself. He realized he couldn’t do much by himself. For the first two weeks, therapists worked with him on rolling over in bed and transferring in bed. Zac was struggling, physically and mentally. He had no feeling or much movement over his entire body.

“Around the two-week mark, it hit me. I was the only one that could work on this situation and fix it.” He credits his time wrestling for helping him change his mindset and empower his body. “I had to make the situation better for myself.”

There were many bumps in the road transitioning home after two months in rehab. His parents’ two-story house wasn’t wheelchair friendly. They adapted their garage into Zac’s apartment and made it possible for him to get around in his wheelchair on the first floor. Zac continued his out-patient therapy at St. Mary’s, where they tried many techniques with him, including water therapy. He spent 3 ½ hours a day in outpatient therapy, plus another 3-4 hours at home, determined to gain his strength and some movement back.

“I was constantly just trying different things and I failed a ton. If I couldn’t do it at first, it became my goal that I worked toward. My disability wasn’t going to define me.”

The biggest goal Zac had was wanting to drive independently. He spent hours learning how to transfer from his wheelchair into a car. Hours falling. Hours getting stuck. Hours trying different ways to transfer. Dents in the car from maneuvering the wheelchair in once transferred. Zac has limited hand function and had to figure out how to get his wheels off and loaded in using the function he does have. One day, it clicked. He transferred and got his wheelchair into the car. He knew he’d be driving on his own, in the outdoors, again soon! This was a game changer for his mindset in recovery.

Like many after a spinal cord injury, Zac was hesitant to learn how to self cath. “Honestly, I didn't want to do it on my own; I couldn't bring myself to doing that at 19. I just didn't want to accept it.” Zac tried many catheters while in rehab, until another patient recommended the SpeediCath® catheter. His friend encouraged him to self cath because of the independence it would give him. Even with Zac’s limited hand function, he was able to open and maneuver the Speedicath® catheter on his own. He was able to use the thumbhole to open the catheters independently. “It became simple for me because I could open them on my own, they are pre-lubricated – which is a huge thing for me. I toss a few in my backpack, get my extender and hand wipes and I’m good to go.”

*Zac is a Speedicath® catheter user. Each person’s situation is unique, so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your healthcare professional about which product might be right for you. Prior to use, refer to product labeling for complete product instructions for use, contraindications, warnings and precautions.

Zac’s advice to someone newly injured or struggling with their new way of life is to learn how to transfer. “Transferring gives independence.”

Today, Zac spends much of his time outdoors – off-roading, Jeep riding and hand cycling. He founded Adaptive Outdoorz (on Instagram @adaptiveoutdoorz) and shares his experiences with all outdoor activities. He works fulltime for an automotive parts company in quality assurance. He spends his free time with his wife Brittany.

You can learn more about Zac on Instagram @zwolfe01 and find Adaptive Outdoorz @adaptiveoutdoorz.

Prior to use, refer to product labeling for complete product instructions for use, contraindications, warnings and precautions. Each person’s situation is unique, so your experience may not be the same. Talk to your healthcare professional about which product might be right for you.

We Carry Kevan Is Redefining Accessibility

Editor’s Note: In 2016, Kevan Chandler and a group of friends took off on a backpacking trip to Europe. Chandler, who lives with spinal muscular atrophy, typically uses a wheelchair for mobility, but the group’s planned itinerary wasn’t particularly wheelchair-friendly. So instead of looking for ways to explore the destinations from his wheelchair, Chandler opted to be carried around Europe by his friends in a backpack, leaving his chair at home. Wheel:Life interviewed Chandler to talk about the trip, the We Carry Kevan Foundation, and his best travel advice.

Whose idea was it for you to be carried across Europe, and what prompted it?

The idea for Europe was mine, but the concept altogether was a conglomeration. I was part of a pretty amazing friend group who did a lot together in those days, including a weekly potluck at each other’s houses. Some of these houses were wheelchair accessible and some were not, but that didn’t stop us from going to every house, and it didn’t stop them from keeping me involved. Sometimes we would just leave my wheelchair outside and the guys would carry me in, and sit me on a couch or the floor. At one point, we decided we wanted to explore the sewers together, and it was Tom who had the idea of the backpack for that particular excursion. Once we had pulled off that stunt, my lifelong desire to visit Europe (and see things that I knew weren’t wheelchair-friendly) suddenly seemed more possible.

Going back even further, my parents raised me to live in community with others, which certainly was the catalyst for all of this coming together in the first place. So, not only could I not have this crazy experience without the help of my people, I couldn’t have even really conjured up the idea without them either. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Were you nervous about leaving your wheelchair behind?

Not really. I think the thrill of it all kind of put those nerves on the back burner until about halfway through our trip. I started missing my chair when we were in London, which proved to be pretty accessible, and I kind of wanted to wander off on my own but couldn’t without someone carrying me. And then I actually did get nervous in Ireland when we started climbing coastal boulders and ancient stairways. My nerves were certainly tested then, but I also got to learn how to trust my friends better than ever.

Did you feel vulnerable at times knowing that you had to depend on your partners to meet your needs and desires while traveling?

We had our moments on the trip. It mostly happened when we came across people who didn’t really get it. For example, we had an encounter one night with a group of ladies who wanted to pray over me for healing.

"They obviously missed the miracle in action right before their very eyes, which was that we had overcome the obstacle of disability through brotherly love and creativity."

In moments like that, I was kind of smacked in the face brutally by the broken world, and it honestly made me feel pretty pathetic. But that’s where we get to see that these friends didn’t just carry me physically. They encouraged me and reminded me of the truth, the deeper truth beyond just my crippled limbs, that because of our love for one another, I was so much more (I am so much warmer) than my disability dictates.

Did your friends do any physical training in preparation for the trip?

Haha, Tom likes to say his regiment for carrying me is, “Beer, yoga, and Jesus.” But in more seriousness, some of the guys took up CrossFit training, while others biked to work to build up cardio. Everyone had different roles to play on the trip, to some extent, and so everyone had kind of their own way of preparing.

What did you do to prepare?

I did a lot of leg and hip stretches in preparation for being in the pack so much. I also honed my journaling methods, so as to best capture memories while still being present. Afterward, we used these journals to write the book that is now out (titled We Carry Kevan), and it was such a fun exercise to go back through and relive our days based on the notes I had made.

Which do you prefer while traveling: using your wheelchair or being carried?

Whichever is necessary or appropriate for what we want to do. Our trip to Europe originally was going to involve both, but we ultimately decided against taking my chair because, with where we wanted to go, it would have been more trouble than it was worth (as in, we would have only used it for a day or two out of the whole three-week trip). On the other hand, we’ve done trips, like when I returned to Ireland later to speak, where we didn’t take my pack because we’d mostly be in the hotel and the venue, and that was it, so my chair was better suited. And still other times, such as when we went to Vancouver Island to speak and hike, we took both my wheelchair and backpack.

What’s been your favorite destination so far?

Two years ago, we visited a care center in China for children with disabilities. It was, really, a profound experience, and we made some life-changing friendships there, so I’d say that trip holds a special place in my heart.

What destination is on the top of your list that you haven’t been able to go to yet?

We’ve talked a lot about going to Argentina one day to retrace the steps of my great-great-grandfather, who was a traveling missionary there. We think this could be an especially rich experience and would definitely require the backpack and a special team to embark on it with.

Would you encourage others with disabilities to be carried while traveling if it’s an option for them?

I would encourage folks to go where they want to go, do what they want to do, to live life fully with their community, and if that means thinking outside the box, go for it. For some, that’ll be using a backpack, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

"Everyone is uniquely limited, and there are literally countless ways to overcome limitations."

Tell us about the We Carry Kevan Foundation.

Our mission statement is to “mobilize individuals with disabilities by redefining accessibility as a cooperative effort.” What this means for us is that accessibility is about people helping people, which can come in all forms but at the heart of it, has to do with courage, creativity, and community. So our goals are to inspire folks to live this out together and then equip them to do so by introducing people to each other, providing gear (like the backpack), and brainstorming with them to find unique ways of making the world more accessible.

After the trip, we worked with the maker of the backpack, Deuter, to further develop it into a product that we now sell and distribute worldwide. More information can be found on our website, WeCarryKevan.com, including how to order one or sponsor one for someone else.

What are your long-term goals with the foundation?

We would love to grow closer to the families we have met, learn from them and encourage them all the same, and continue to meet more families and individuals with which we can do the same. While I love speaking, writing books, and traveling for adventure, I believe the greater adventure is in building relationships. So that is our focus moving forward, to make more personable, lasting, and meaningful relationships and through those, hopefully make the world a better and more accessible place.

What’s your best travel planning advice for people with disabilities?

"Don’t do it alone. That’s no fun."

Editor’s note: Follow We Carry Kevan on social media @wecarrykevan on both Facebook and Instagram.

This article was extracted from a written interview with Kevan Chandler. It has been lightly edited.

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in travel and culinary writing, business operations, marketing research, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Betsy has been writing for Wheel:Life since January of 2017 and thoroughly enjoys the process of getting to know her interviewees. She also enjoys a good vegan brunch, practices parkour, speaks French fluently, and travels any chance she gets!

Creating Opportunities for Inclusive Cycling around the World

Editor’s Note: When Greg Milano started volunteering for an adaptive outdoor recreation group over 20 years ago, he quickly recognized the impact the activities had on people’s lives. That volunteer position evolved into a career path for Milano when he became a manager for an adaptive sea kayaking program in San Francisco. From there, he moved over to the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program where he developed a cycling center that provides people with disabilities access to adaptive rental bikes. While working for BORP, he co-launched a separate nonprofit, Inclusive Cycling International, with the goal of spreading awareness of the activity across the world. After returning from a trip to Nigeria this November to help establish inclusive cycling programs in schools in Lagos, Wheel:Life writer Betsy Bailey spoke to Milano about the importance of providing opportunities for people with disabilities to ride bikes and the organization's upcoming projects.

While I was working for BORP, I started noticing that outside of the United States, there weren't a lot of opportunities for inclusive cycling. Yet, I'd seen that it could be a game-changer and equalizer for people. It’s an activity people can do with their family and friends in a public setting, and other than competitive hand cycling, I wasn't seeing a lot of people with disabilities riding bikes. So, along with Jenny Kern, a handcycler with an SCI, we cofounded Inclusive Cycling International to promote the activity in other countries. After doing several projects over the past three years, I decided to make this my full-time mission. I left my job at BORP this summer and am putting all of my energy into Inclusive Cycling International now.

Inclusive Cycling International’s Mission

Our mission is to spread awareness about inclusive cycling and make sure as many places and people as possible are motivated and trained to start programs in their communities. We are fundraising and developing projects with organizations to provide them with bikes and train them on how to use them. In the last three years, we’ve helped organizations in Ecuador, Chile, Namibia, Kenya, and Nigeria launch ongoing programs. Chile was financed by a grant from the US Embassy in Santiago; the projects in Kenya and Nigeria were funded through the Reciprocal Exchange component of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a program that develops young African leaders.

With these projects, the goal is to fundraise to cover the expenses of getting the program off the ground.

We also provide consulting, assistance, and advice on how to develop sustainable funding so they can continue the project. Right now, we don't have the means to say, "Start a program, and we'll pay for its ongoing expenses,” but we are confident that there are ways for many places to develop continuous support.

Awareness Tour 2020

Our big project for 2020 and beyond is an awareness-raising tour through Central and South America. We’re going on the road with a truckload of about 20 adaptive cycles, and we'll work with local groups in cities that are currently holding open streets events. This typically means that one day a week, motor vehicles aren’t allowed in a section of the city. Senior citizens, parents pushing strollers, athletes, and families come out and ride bikes. However, people with disabilities aren't generally participating, so I think bringing adaptive and inclusive cycling to those events will allow them to join in and be part of the community.

We're targeting cities that hold open streets events because they have already done the heavy lifting of creating a car-free space and bringing the community together regularly.

All we need to do is demonstrate how people with disabilities can participate.

Our goal is to be in each city for a month so we can be present for four consecutive open streets events. We want to get as many people with disabilities riding bikes as possible as well as create local awareness of the value of it. When we move on to the next city, we will hopefully leave people in the community motivated and trained to start their own program.

We're fundraising for the trip right now. If we're incredibly successful, maybe we'll be able to seed programs with one or two bikes, but we're not committing to that at this point. We're planning on being in Mexico from February through April of 2020, and then we’ll move on to Colombia in June. Everywhere we go, we'll work with a local partner that's either a disability rights group or a cycling advocacy organization.

We're still looking for corporate sponsorships, grants, and individual contributions. We're also hoping some of the adaptive cycling companies will support the project through equipment donations. At this point, most of the cycles we've used have been donated after a family member deceased or moved on to a different bike. We're always looking for donations of secondhand equipment. We'll refurbish the cycles and provide them to these countries.

We’re doing fundraising both in the United States and the destination of each project. It'd be amazing if we were able to develop support for these programs among American citizens from each country. For example, if we could get the Nigerian-American community to assist with funding the ongoing project in Nigeria, that'd be great. We’d like to create a champion for each country to advocate and fundraise.

Why International?

People often ask why we are doing this internationally and not in the United States. While I was running a program in the US, I often presented at conferences and encouraged people to start projects. I feel enough groups and individuals are already doing it and advocating for it.

The awareness is there stateside, so that's why I'm focusing on international communities.

And honestly, I love learning from people in other places, so I’m personally excited to spend the next few years immersed in the disability rights cultures and communities of other countries.

Types of Bikes for Inclusive Riding

With adaptive cycles, you can divide them into two broad categories: handcycles and foot cycles. The handcycles are used by people who can propel themselves with their arms better than with their legs. Most people with spinal cord injury or paralysis in their lower limbs will fall into that category. Some handcycles are very user-friendly and are easy to get off and on and maneuver, but they may not have a wide range of gears or be stable at high speeds. They are great for introductory use. The handcycles most people have seen are the low-to-the-ground, recumbent bikes that para-athletes use to race. Those are designed to go as fast as possible, so they're aerodynamic and stable at high speeds but are often more challenging to get off and on and not as maneuverable in tight quarters. A handcyclist is going to choose their equipment based on what they want to use it for. Handcycles also come in various sizes, from child to adult.

There have been some great innovations in the last few years to make handcycles more user-friendly for people with quadriplegic-level injuries. Applying the brakes or changing gears is now possible, even if someone doesn't have dexterity in their hands.

This is a game-changer for people with quadriplegia.

With foot cycles, most of them have three wheels, so people don't have to worry about stability when they're riding. A person who needs an adaptive cycle but can pedal with their legs typically doesn't have the balance or coordination to ride a two-wheeled bike. That could be for various reasons and often includes cerebral palsy, head injuries, or strokes. Foot cycles can be adapted to be controlled with one arm or pedaled with one leg if needed. They can also be tandems so that someone else can assist with steering, braking, or power. Some foot cycles are designed with a fixed-gear mechanism, meaning that if the bike is moving, the pedals are being forced to turn round and round. You can't coast like you can on a traditional bike. That's an essential adaptive technique for people who don't have the coordination to pedal in a smooth circle because the momentum of the bike helps them to keep moving. Cycles can also be adapted for seating position, head support, and posture.

Why Cycling?

All adaptive sports are great. Wheelchair basketball and power soccer are amazing. Adaptive recreational sports like skiing and kayaking are incredible.

However, cycling is unique because it's an activity conducive to mixed abilities.

You can have people with various disabilities riding alongside friends and family members who don't have disabilities. I would need 10 hands and 10 feet to count the number of times a parent has turned to me with tears in their eyes and said, "This is the first time our kids are doing the same activity together and having fun." Once everyone is on a bike, they all became cyclists.

Another reason I love inclusive cycling is that it takes place in the public forum. Wheelchair basketball is a great sport, but it's played inside a gym, so a lot of people don't know it even exists. Adaptive cycling happens on bike trails and streets out in the public.

People with disabilities can participate in an activity that the rest of their community is doing, and that can truly break down barriers between them.

Lastly, with just a few adaptive bikes in a school setting, you can get kids with an array of challenges riding. It's fairly easy to get a child who hasn't been able to participate in school sports or physical recreation on a bike experiencing something they didn't think they could do. Again, that's harder to do with other adaptive sports because you usually need the right kind of court, a specific wheelchair, or teammates, for example. That's why I think inclusive cycling can break down barriers better than some other adaptive sports.

Starting a Program in Your Community

If someone is interested in starting a program, we'd love for them to contact us to talk about how we can help make that happen. What grants are available? What companies might be interested in sponsoring the project? What's the environment in that country? For example, the countries in Africa we've been working with have wanted to create programs based in schools as opposed to community programs in the public setting. Even if they just need some tips on which bikes they should buy, we can advise them depending on the program and population.

Editor’s Note: Greg Milano can be reached at greg@inclusivecycling.org.

For more information on Inclusive Cycling International, visit InclusiveCycling.org. Follow along on Facebook @InclusiveCycling.

All information in this article was extracted from an interview with Greg Milano. It has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Check out these stories about families who enjoy their adaptive bikes from Wheel:Life partner Freedom Concepts:

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Are You Prepared in an Emergency? ADAPTS Has Your Back

Editor’s Note: When retired flight attendant Robin Wearley received a call from her friend John Morris (the man behind WheelchairTravel.org) to discuss emergency evacuation protocol for wheelchair travelers, she realized the industry needed to seriously rethink their methods or rather, lack thereof. After Morris mentioned he’d likely have to rely on the kindness of strangers for help in an emergency, she knew there had to be a better way. The next morning, she began working on the first model of ADAPTS, a portable transfer sling for wheelchair travelers. Wheel:Life talked to Wearley at Abilities Expo Boston in September about the specifics of the product and what she’s doing to educate airlines on disaster preparedness for people with disabilities.

Soon after I came up with a prototype, we launched a Kickstarter for ADAPTS. It came right down to the wire, but we met our goal. From there, we filed patents, did our first inventory run, and started selling the slings at the Los Angeles Abilities Expo in February of 2018. Since then, we've been selling online and raising awareness at the Abilities Expos about emergency evacuation and disaster planning for people with disabilities.

We also attended Naidex in the United Kingdom, which is similar to the Abilities Expo here in the United States, where ADAPTS won the 2018 Changing Lives Award out of around 260 vendors.

They chose us based on innovation, usability, and cost.

A Multiuse Tool

ADAPTS started as a product for evacuating individuals from an airplane, but it has morphed into a tool for any kind of disaster evacuation as well as a sling for everyday use. Customers have been sending us pictures and emails saying they’re using ADAPTS at the dentist or to get in and out of a pool, for example.

At Abilities Expo Chicago, we saw a mom stroll by with her little boy in a wheelchair, and we noticed she had an ADAPTS.

They had bought it at the expo the year prior, and they use it nearly every day.

The caregiver and mother both said ADAPTS has saved their backs by making lifting the boy less strenuous.

Made in the USA

In the process of prototyping, we did focus groups with wheelchair users to get feedback about everything from the fabric to the color to how comfortable it is to sit on. They were instrumental in creating the final version of the product. We also created a disability advisory board that helped us with etiquette and gave us advice on how to work within the community. That was very valuable to us.

ADAPTS is made in the United States at Hentz Manufacturing in Indiana. Previously, the Vera Bradley brand was produced there, but when they moved their business overseas, many of the seamstresses in Indiana were laid off. Rather than shutting down the factory, Hentz worked to secure contracts with other brands.

By choosing this factory, ADAPTS has helped re-employ some of the women who were out of work.

They do an amazing job sewing our slings.

We also use a company called Pine Ridge Industries who employs people from the disability community. They do all of our quality assurance, packing, and shipping.

ADAPTS Specifications

ADAPTS is a one-size-fits-all product and has been tested to hold up to 450 pounds. It also went through a thousand rounds of static and dynamic testing and passed with flying colors. In addition, the product meets the Federal Aviation Administration’s flame retardant requirements for use on airplanes.

ADAPTS only weighs about one pound and is approximately the size of an airplane seat.

It folds up into a tote that you can carry with you or put in a backpack.

On our website, ADAPTS sells for $149, but at the Abilities Expos, we mark them down to $139.

Editor's Note: Wheel:Life readers can get 15% off online by entering discount code WL15 at checkout!

A Real-World Test

Last year, one of our customers was flying with her son who has cerebral palsy. While in the air, their flight was diverted, and they had to make an emergency landing and evacuate all of the passengers on the tarmac due to smoke in the cabin.

Her son was already sitting on his ADAPTS in his airplane seat, so they were able to get him off the plane quite easily.

After sliding down to safety, they gave their ADAPTS to the flight attendants so they could use it to evacuate an elderly woman waiting for help. This story shows that ADAPTS works both when a passenger is already sitting on their personal sling and also when the product is readily available for flight attendants to assist other passengers.

Airlines Need to Do Better

From the beginning, I started approaching the airlines about getting ADAPTS in the airplane safety kits. They've been receptive for the most part, but it's a long process, and we first need to get FAA approval.

I think the airlines will eventually come around.

We conduct an ongoing survey on our website to get a baseline understanding of what wheelchair users experience when flying. We’re finding that around 80% of the time, the flight crew never has a conversation with wheelchair-using passengers to ask about how to best assist them in the case of an emergency evacuation. That only happens 20% of the time, yet it's a requirement. The airlines need to do better.

If they don't have an emergency evacuation plan for people in wheelchairs, they’re not truly accessible.

Editor’s Note: Wearley also serves on the board of directors of All Wheels Up, a nonprofit dedicated to finding a safe solution for wheelchair passengers to fly on commercial airplanes from the comfort of their own wheelchair.

For more information or to purchase an ADAPTS, visit adapts.org. For video tutorials on how to use the sling, visit the ADAPTS YouTube channel.

All information in this post was provided by Robin Wearley and adapts.org.

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Betsy has been writing for Wheel:Life since January of 2017 and thoroughly enjoys the process of getting to know her interviewees. She also practices parkour, speaks French fluently, and travels any chance she gets!

Boy with Spina Bifida Surprised with Custom Handcycle

Editor’s Note: Diagnosed with spina bifida before birth, nine-year-old Charlie Krouse uses a wheelchair for mobility but has full use of his upper body. Earlier this year, Freedom Concepts teamed up with the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team, two Florida charities (Wheelchairs 4 Kids and Charlie’s Champs), and Pediatric Therapy Services to create a custom handcycle for the avid sled hockey player. Much to his delight, they surprised him with his brand new handcycle at a community sled hockey event this summer. Wheel:Life talked to Charlie’s dad, Ryan Krouse, about his son’s involvement with the sport and the benefits of having a Freedom Concepts handcycle.

Ryan, tell us a little bit about your son Charlie.

Charlie is your typical nine-year-old. He has the same drive, wants, and dreams. The only difference between him and his peers is he needs his wheelchair to keep up with them.

How did Charlie get involved with sled hockey, and what’s his favorite part about playing?

When we were new parents to a child with spina bifida, we learned that the Tampa Bay Lightning had a sled hockey program. It’s something we always kept in mind, so his mother made contact and followed through with Charlie’s involvement.

He is still learning and improving his game, but he likes putting on his hockey gear and showing off the skills he has learned. He also enjoys mentoring other kids who are new to sled hockey.

Editor’s Note: Check out Charlie in action on the Tampa Bay Lightning Facebook page!

How did you first hear about Freedom Concepts?

Charlie’s physical therapist, Ms. Nadia Gaddis of Pediatric Therapy Services, told us about Freedom Concepts. She is actually responsible for putting all of this together for him. If it weren’t for her, Charlie would not have this one-of-a-kind handcycle.

Can you describe Charlie’s Freedom Concepts handcycle?

His handcycle is absolutely amazing! It has a blue frame with Tampa Bay Lightning logos attached. The seatback cover is beautifully stitched with the logo as well, and the brake handle has been fashioned out of the blade of a hockey stick. It is truly one of a kind.

The handcycle has been customized for Charlie, and I cannot say enough about the staff at Freedom Concepts. We needed an adjustment to the footboards to fit Charlie’s feet better. James Wall at Freedom Concepts coordinated with Ms. Nadia Gaddis and his fabricators for measurements and a solution. Several weeks later, they mailed me a bracket and instructions for installation, and now Charlie’s feet fit more safely and comfortably in his handcycle.

It’s a good feeling to know that Freedom Concepts stands by their product.

Editor's Note: Read more about Charlie's Tampa Bay Lightning Custom Defier Handcycle here.

What does Charlie like best about his handcycle?

He loves the ability to ride in something other than his wheelchair. He also enjoys the fun of riding a bike like a normal kid.

Will he be able to continue to use his handcycle as he grows?

Absolutely! The handcycle is adjustable and will fit Charlie all through his teenage years to early adulthood.

As a parent, what do you feel are the benefits of Charlie having a handcycle?

His handcycle gives him the freedom to ride off with his friends and siblings. It provides independence and the responsibility of learning bicycle safety and maintenance. Lastly, it will open up other avenues for Charlie’s physical therapy.

Editor’s note: To learn more about Freedom Concepts, visit FreedomConcepts.com, and take a look at these stories about families who enjoy their adaptive bikes and the charities that help make it happen:

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Adaptive Golfers: Teaching the Game to All Abilities

Editor’s Note: Likely due to a prescription drug her mother used during pregnancy, Gianna Rojas was born with no fingers on her left hand. As a young girl in the 1970s, she became a March of Dimes poster child for the state of Florida helping raise funds for the nonprofit to support research on healthy pregnancies and preventing birth defects. As a child with no notion of the game of golf, Gianna had the opportunity to meet and sit on the lap of the world-renowned golfer Arnold Palmer who was supporting the March of Dimes as they transitioned from their fight to eradicate polio to a campaign to prevent birth defects.

Many years later, Gianna often found herself excluded from her husband's group golf outings which eventually led her to take up the game as well. Today, she’s known as the "One-Handed Lady Golfer" and founder of Adaptive Golfers, a nonprofit striving to expose people of all abilities to the sport. Wheel:Life caught up with Rojas at Abilities Expo New York Metro this year to talk about the organization and the benefits golf can bring to the disability community.

Becoming the One-Handed Lady Golfer

My husband used to play golf with a group of friends every weekend, and I would meet them for lunch after they finished their round. They would all sit and talk about their game, as all golfers do, and I would feel left out. Most of the time, they would go back out for another round, and I would go back home. So, about eight years ago, I decided I wanted to learn how to golf.

When my husband and I tried to find an instructor with experience in adaptive techniques, we couldn’t.

No one we talked to had ever been exposed to that way of teaching. As I was researching and looking for resources, the idea for Adaptive Golfers came about. At the suggestion of a friend, I got a URL and started using the website to list the various resources I found.

That was in May of 2017. Now, we're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to empower individuals with different (not dis-) abilities to improve the quality of their lives — mind, body, and soul — through adaptive golf therapy. We have positioned ourselves in the industry as a global influencer. We are educators as well as ambassadors and advocates. We have also become a hub for resources. We don’t sell equipment, but we can lead you to it. We provide clinics and programs throughout the year, and we keep as much adaptive equipment on hand as possible for our participants to test and keep for practice.

We want to be able to address all abilities so that anyone can come to a clinic and enjoy learning the game.

Our clinics are free to our participants but not to us, so we are open to support.

We have programs in New Jersey as well as a facility in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. We also travel and can help people find programs in their area, even internationally. We work closely with an organization called Perfect Lies Golf who creates custom clubs. One of the club fitters there is an adaptive golfer, so he understands how to address various abilities.

Golf as Therapy

With Adaptive Golfers, we teach pros, golf coaches, physical therapists, and occupational therapists to use golf as therapy, both physically and cognitively. Golf is an independent activity. It's between you, the ball, and the hole. You're not relying on catching or throwing a ball or having to run away from someone.

Success is measured by each individual’s expectations.

If you believe you can't hit a golf ball, and then you roll it three feet, that’s a victory and is great for your emotional well-being. Golfing in a group also fosters a sense of inclusion and camaraderie.

We also want to train teachers and therapists to use golf as an activity for movement. Any kind of physical activity is therapeutic. Participants use muscles to stretch and reach in ways they typically wouldn’t on any other day.

A Tool for Combatting Trauma

We do a lot of work with service personnel and first responders who have physical and cognitive injuries. There's an organization called PGA Reach that has programs for patriots. Military members are asked to do and see things that we can't even wrap our heads around. When they come back from service, they have to process those experiences and perhaps deal with a new disability or post-traumatic stress. Golf can be used as a conduit to help them get out of their beds, out of their houses, and out of their heads. We want to help change their mindset so they’re not questioning whether they can do something, but rather how they can do it. We try to help them figure out the “how.”

Managing Expectations

When we work with someone new, we always discuss their abilities and expectations. Do they want to just participate in clinics? Do they want to play on a course? We can help someone progress from using golf as a therapeutic activity to an on-course leisure game. They don’t have to play a full 18 holes. They can ride in a cart and drop a ball here and there.

It doesn't matter how they do it as long as it’s bringing joy, self-esteem, and the feeling of inclusion.

Where someone lines up on the scale of therapeutic, leisure, or competitive golf is entirely up to them.

If you were a golfer before your injury or illness, your buddies want you back out on the course, too, in any capacity. We try to stress that what you get out of golf depends on your expectations.

Exposing Youth to Adaptive Golf

We also work with youth coaches to expose them to adaptive golf. For the PGA Jr. League, golf is a team activity. If we can get the league to integrate players of all abilities, the able-bodied kids will be interacting with kids with disabilities which will shape their perception throughout the rest of their lives.

They'll get an understanding that a person’s disability doesn’t define who they are and that everyone should be treated as a human being.

New Ranking System for Golfers with Disabilities

You can also get serious about golf and take a competitive path. Just this year, the USGA and the R&A, which are two of the governing golf powers of the world, launched a global ranking system for players with disabilities. This is progress, but we'd like to see an infusion of disabled and able-bodied golfers. It's about inclusion, and we want to try to integrate.

We're all golfers first. I just happen to have no fingers on my left hand. That's how we want the industry to see things.

If you want to be a golfer, be a golfer.

Equipment for Wheelchair Users

For wheelchair users, there are various types of mobility carts that allow them to participate depending on their specific needs. Single-rider carts with seats that swivel, tilt, or lift the player to a standing position can provide a means of increasing access and participation. Scooters are emerging as well that can help move a golfer to the ball if walking is difficult or not a possibility. Stability bikes can be propelled with the arms and provide golfers with added balance.

If someone needs to swing from a seated position such as from a wheelchair, they can use clubs with shorter shafts.

There are also lighter shafts for people with limited upper body strength. Clubface angles can be modified to get a higher loft on the ball. Most traditional drivers have an angle between 9-12 degrees, but I have a 16 which helps me get the ball up in the air.

According to the 2008 Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, public and municipal courses should have reasonable accommodations, meaning they should have a mobility cart on-site or the ability to get one when requested. However, there is no enforcement of that, and the courses that do have them aren't always marketing them.

Outreach and Advocacy

It's a shame that the industry hasn't embraced adaptive golfing more. Since starting AdaptiveGolfers.org, I have become a speaker and ambassador. I do outreach at golf courses to let them know what kind of equipment is available. I also speak at the PGA Merchandise Shows to bring the industry a little closer to this topic.

Exclusion isn’t by ill intent; it's the law of unfamiliarity.

I'm hoping someday we will have a teaching curriculum on adaptive golfing, even if it’s just a module to make coaches aware that it exists and bring it further into the mainstream. The instructors know how to teach golf, but we’d like to add another layer of education to incorporate semantics, best practices, and emergency protocol for participants with disabilities.

Why Golf?

Golf gets people moving and gets their blood flowing.

Golf brings people together like nothing else.

It’s important to take equity in your health, and this game can improve your quality of life — mind, body, and soul. It's an activity where being good or bad doesn't matter. Neither the ball nor the hole cares if you roll it with your nose or if it even gets there. Golf is for everybody. If you’re rolling a ball, you’re a golfer.

John F. Kennedy once said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.'' I say, “What will you do to be that difference?”

Editor’s Note: Visit AdaptiveGolfers.org for resources, upcoming events, and more. Reach out to Gianna Rojas with questions at gianna@adaptivegolfers.org.

All information provided in this article was extracted from an interview with Gianna Rojas.

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Quadriplegic Vlogger Tim Taylor Educates People on SCI

Editor’s Note: On an evening in 2003, Tim Taylor went on a pizza run with his girlfriend and her sister to pick up dinner for the family. When an oncoming vehicle came into their lane, the driver swerved to miss the other car but consequently, crashed into a tree. Tim awoke 12 days later from a coma to the heartbreaking news that his girlfriend and her sister hadn’t survived the accident. Furthermore, the 18-year-old had suffered a C5 spinal cord injury resulting in quadriplegia. 17 years later, the quadriplegic vlogger aims to educate the newly injured, their families, and caregivers about spinal cord injury through his YouTube channel, This is Wheel Life. He talked to Wheel:Life writer Betsy Bailey about life as a quad, his YouTube channel, and taking care of his health.

Waking Up after the Accident

When I first heard my girlfriend and her sister had passed away in the accident, I was devastated and heartbroken. Then, when I was told I was paralyzed, it was just a whirlwind of depression. I’d always been a go-getter and doing things non-stop. Going from that to having to depend on others was tough, but I accepted it and began mentally preparing myself for the obstacles I'd have to overcome.

I knew I'd have to plow through and learn new ways of doing things.

I tried to stay busy to distract myself from the fact that my girlfriend and her sister were gone, but it was always in the back of my mind. I still miss them and wish they were here, but those are my cards. I feel I just have to accept that.

Paying the Bills

At the time of my accident, I was working as an electrical apprentice and was about to start college. Post-injury, I decided not to go to school. I tried telemarketing, but it wasn't for me. I want to make people happy rather than annoy them.

A while back, I started selling things on eBay to help pay for medical costs.

Insurance wasn't covering intermittent catheters for me, so those were out of pocket expenses.

I also needed to raise money for a new van because mine rusted out from the salt used on the roads during the winters here in Northwest Pennsylvania. My sister created a GoFundMe a few years ago, and people from all over the country came together and donated enough for me to buy a new van. It was amazing.

Editor’s Note: Go shopping at Tim’s eBay store at TT Uniques. Tim also sells t-shirts on Amazon.

I also DJ and have done several gigs this year. Music is like therapy for me. I recently DJed for a Special Olympics fundraiser that a friend of mine runs. Seeing the smiles on the kids' faces was awesome.

This is Wheel Life

I created my YouTube channel, This is Wheel Life, a while ago, but since the beginning of this year, I began focusing on videos about my life as a quadriplegic. To monetize the channel, which I would like to do, you need at least 1,000 subscribers. I recently passed 1,100, so I’ve met the first condition. The second requirement is getting at least 4,000 watch hours over 12 months. That's my next goal. I'm at around 1,300 hours now, which is pretty good for just talking about life.

Many of my videos are intended to be helpful to other people. I'm a C5 quad, so I talk about things like muscle spasms, transfers, bladder health, and life hacks, to give a few examples.

I try to make people laugh, and hopefully, I'm also educating them whether they're newly injured or don’t know anything about disability.

I made a video about some of the random things people say to wheelchair users. People are curious, especially kids. It's human nature. Questions don’t bother me as long as they can help someone. I'm an open book. I'll answer anything.

I also talk about how people often tell me I’m an inspiration. Some members of the disability community take offense to that, but I don't mind.

If someone is inspired or motivated by something I do or say, that's awesome.

That fulfills me and makes me feel good.

Interestingly, my videos showing how to transfer have some of the best viewership. People want to learn, and what do you do when you want to learn something new? You go to YouTube! My overall goal is to grow my channel and to build awareness of spinal cord injury to help the newly injured and their families as well as educate care attendants.

Editor’s Note: Tim’s videos can be found on his YouTube channel, This is Wheel Life.

My Snow Plow

Living in Northwest Pennsylvania, we get a ton of snow. During the winter, you get cabin fever. One year, I decided I wanted to plow snow so my elderly neighbors could get out of the house. I used a program on my computer to design a plow that attaches to my 4x4 wheelchair and bounced some ideas off my dad and brother. After we refined the design, they built it. My video of me using the plow caught the attention of The Huffington Post!

The summer after that, the plow got thrown away by accident when we were cleaning out the garage. A gentleman in my neighborhood graciously donated his tractor plow, and I created snow plow 2.0. I've been using that ever since. With the first version, the plow was stationary. For 2.0, we modified it so I can push the snow on an angle and the weight goes to one side or the other.

I don't like being cold, but I do enjoy plowing.

To keep warm, I cut the back out of a pair of snow pants, so I can just slide them over the top of my legs without getting out of my chair. I like to say I tim-provise in these situations.

Bladder Care

For years, I have been fighting kidney stones. I didn't even know that was a thing before I was injured.

Regular use of catheters and not being able to fully empty your bladder can cause stones.

When I first experienced this, doctors performed a cystolitholapaxy, a procedure where they go in and break up the stones. I had to wear a permanent catheter for a few weeks afterward to clear out all the fragments. I’ve also had problems with kidney stones and have had three lithotripsies to treat them.

I would like to make a video about using a catheter, but nudity isn't acceptable on YouTube.

Proper bladder care isn’t talked about enough, and I've had to train many care attendants on the catheter style that I use.

They all learn something new!

I have been using the Coloplast Freedom Cath Male External Catheter for quite a few years now. I chose it over all others because it’s very durable and comfortable to wear in between my intermittent catheterization. I can rest assured that when I wake up in the morning, I will be dry. That’s an extremely important factor when it comes to external catheters. It’s necessary to stay dry to avoid skin breakdown.

It Gets Better

There's no other way to put it — being paralyzed sucks.

But don't give up. It does get better.

You have to push through the obstacles you face, and try not to get frustrated. If anyone has a personal question they need help with or are curious about, they can reach out to me via Facebook or Instagram.

Editor’s Note: All information contained in this article was extracted from an interview and email communication with Tim Taylor. It has been lightly edited.

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

The Kids of Yoocan Continue to Shine

Editor’s Note: In 2016, Moshe Gaon, a successful businessman and investor, put his other endeavors on hold to create Yoocan. Inspired by his nephew, who was born with a host of health conditions, he set out to build a global platform for people to share their stories of living with a disability. Three years later, nearly 2,000 storytellers have been featured on the site and more submissions are received daily. Many of the stories come from parents who bravely talk about the struggles and joys of having a child with a disability. Wheel:Life got updates from three of those parents who, along with their children, are showing the world that disability won’t keep them from living their best life!

Eudora and Her Little Red Wheelchair

Despite a rocky entrance into this world, including a long hospital stay, feeding tubes, and several inconclusive diagnoses, Eudora continues to wow everyone around her. Since her mom, Eleanor, shared her story on Yoocan in August of 2018, Eudora has been one busy girl!

After a few years of intense use, Eudora’s wheelchair was revamped this summer with two new wheels and castors as well as a front-wheel accessory to help her enjoy some off-road action. Eudora also took her first-ever airplane trip in July — a quick flight over the English Channel from her home country of Scotland to Brittany, France. Her wheelchair arrived safely, and she and her family had a blast hanging out at the beach and sipping coffee at the waterfront cafes.

Now at five years old, Eudora is ready to start primary school this fall, and she can’t be more excited. She’ll have plenty of stories to tell her new classmates about her adventurous summer, recent modeling gigs, and a role in one of her favorite children’s series that will be airing this Christmas. She’ll also be joining the Red Cross to raise money for refugees this fall by logging five self-propelled miles in her wheelchair. Go, Eudora! Check out @littleredwheelchair on Instagram for more photos!

Eudora’s Yoocan story can be found at Life’s Sweetest Surprise: Eudora.

Nothing Can Slow Noah Down

In less than four years of life, Noah has already beat cancer twice and is a spinal cord injury survivor as well. His disabilities don't hold him back, though. Noah’s time has been filled with back-to-back adventures since his mom, Ivona, posted on Yoocan in April of 2018. Not knowing where to look for support at first, Ivona eventually discovered that even though there aren’t any organizations in Canada specifically for kids with SCI, help is still available through other resources. By networking with fellow parents of children with disabilities, Ivona heard about Million Dollar Smiles, a nonprofit that builds playsets for kids with disabilities. After she contacted the charity this summer, a group of volunteers came to their home and created a backyard playground with an accessible swing just for Noah!

When he's not playing in his backyard, Noah likes to attend a program through ParaSport Ontario called Cruisers. There, he gets to participate in various sports from week to week. Wheelchair basketball didn't work out too well because the ball won’t stay in his lap due to his small size. But that didn’t phase him because he gets to do so many fun activities with Cruisers, including learning to propel a racing wheelchair from Canadian Paralympian Isaiah Christophe! His mom loves that he’s interacting with other kids and adults with disabilities and feels it’s building his self-confidence as he learns that using a wheelchair is nothing to be ashamed of.

Although at Cruisers, Noah is surrounded by fellow members of the disability community, this summer, he also attended a camp where he was the only kid in a wheelchair. His mom was a little anxious about it at first, but Noah had a great time and came home having made a lot of new friends. He enjoyed camp so much that he didn’t want to leave!

Thanks to physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions in both the US and Canada, Noah is gaining strength and mobility in his legs. Although he doesn’t see the point in learning to walk since he’s so comfortable with his wheelchair, he can now stand on his own with the help of a walker and KAFO braces.

Noah also got a new wheelchair this summer equipped with a front central caster that allows him to navigate bumps and uneven terrain more easily. It will surely be helpful while he’s playing with his new friends at recess when he starts school this fall!

To keep up with Noah’s adventures, follow @think_boundless on Instagram. His Yoocan story can be found at How Noah Beat Cancer Twice!

Erez Celebrates His 11th Birthday

Editor’s Note: Wheel:Life also caught up with Yoav Gaon, the father of Erez, the boy who inspired the creation of Yoocan. Here’s what the family has been up to this summer in their home country of Israel.

"Our amazing, happy boy, Erez, celebrated his 11th birthday in July. Erez was born with a rare condition called giant congenital nevi and neurocutaneous melanosis, scoliosis, and more. Erez does not stop sharing his smiles and positivity with the world. He celebrated his birthday at our house with friends from his regular and special school, family friends, and family. Everyone had a blast. A television reporter was even there to show the event nationally following the release of Erez's mom's new novel The Flower Quilt, which tells her and Erez's story in an empowering and direct way.

Following the party at home, we continued the celebration at the Tel Aviv Port. We rode the merry-go-round, ate by the seaside, and took a family photo next to the iconic "I Love Tel Aviv" sign. We want to share the happiness of Erez and our approach of looking at the glass half full. We do the best we can in supporting each other as a family and making Erez smile as it helps us smile too. Happy Birthday, Erez! We love you, and the world loves you too. You show us every day that yoocandoanything!" -Yoav Gaon

Editor's Note: Read Erez's mom's post on Yoocan — Living with a Rare Disease: Congenital Nevus.

Share Your Child’s Story

Are you a parent of a child with a disability and feel like you’re fighting a battle alone? Yoocan, a global community for people with disabilities, is a great way to connect with others facing similar obstacles. Read through posts from thousands of storytellers and share your own struggles and successes. All you have to do is go to yoocanfind.com, click on “+ADD” at the top of the page, and follow the steps to create an account by clicking on “Sign Up For Free.” Once you’re registered, you’ll be directed to a form where you can write up your story and upload a few photos. Need help? Just click on the “Chat With Caring People” button at the bottom right side of the website. All submissions are reviewed before appearing on the website, so you probably won’t see yours right away. Just make sure to follow along on social media daily, so you don’t miss it!

If you’d like to support Yoocan, consider doing some of your product research and shopping via Yoocanfind.com/Shop. Access to the site is free, and for every purchase you make, Yoocan receives a small commission from the vendors they work with to help build new features, such as Yoocan Work, and keep the global community up and running.

How Makabali Uses Creativity and Connections to Simplify Life

Editor’s Note: When Hydred Makabali became paralyzed at the age of 18 due to a spinal cord injury, early adulthood proved drastically different than she had ever imagined. But after battling depression and moving out on her own, she began to develop critical life skills as she faced complete autonomy for the first time. With a desire to do things independently, she often found herself in scenarios without any forethought forcing her to devise new methods of completing everyday tasks. Makabali, an artist and Comfort Medical ambassador, chatted with Wheel:Life writer Betsy Bailey about developing creativity and resourcefulness, and how nearly 26 years later, these skills continue to enhance other areas of her life.

The Mother of Invention

I feel like the car accident pushed me to think about how I process things. At the time, I wasn’t very mindful. I was more into image or impression management — how I appeared in front of others.

I quickly grew up after the accident.

My priority list changed from obtaining things I wanted to pondering over abstract thoughts on contentment and happiness.

The way I process things has always been a little bit out of the box, but after the accident, it evolved into something more primitive and simple. You’ve probably heard the quote, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” I believe that along with necessity, you could also lump in desperation.

My first apartment after leaving home was not accessible. It had standard shelving, cabinetry, and appliances. I can't remember why, but I had some mugs up on one of the top shelves, and I needed to find a way to get them down. I grabbed a broomstick thinking I’d be able to reach them from my chair if I looped the end of the stick into the handles. But the first time I tried it, the mug slid down the pole and smashed at the bottom. I had broken the mug, so I needed to find a better method. On my next attempt, I took an oven mitt and wrapped it around the bottom of the broomstick to cushion the impact, and it worked.

My point is you resort to whatever is available, and you figure things out.

Developing resourcefulness is a way to simplify your life.

Trickling into Art

This type of creativity has found its way into my art as well. I've always thought of myself as a realist style artist, but I'm discovering that I'm moving more and more toward the surreal and abstract realms. My concept of art is not so glued into one school of thought anymore or even on one type of texture or medium.

I feel this tug and pull of reverting back to more simple uses.

For example, the type of medium I'm using now is called casein which is derived from milk. It's considered an aqueous medium like watercolor, but when it dries, it becomes a velvety, matte texture and looks similar to acrylic paint. There aren’t many people who use it these days, but being receptive to exploring different ways of doing things has revealed new techniques and mediums I didn't even know existed before.

Flowing into Interpersonal Relationships

Creativity and resourcefulness have also helped me with interpersonal relationships. I’ve noticed I've become more tolerant. These days, I'm able to meet people where they're at. Even if I think I know someone really well, I recognize they come with their own rich and varied history which is different from mine.

I used to look at things in black and white; if I disagreed with someone, I would get frustrated easily.

In turn, I wasn’t capable of thinking clearly. But now, I’m able to look at the facts in front of me. What is this person like? Where does he or she come from? It's like I'm playing a game with myself in situations where I'm feeling a little unbalanced. I always try to check myself.

If we compare this to the mug example, becoming angry over the one I broke wouldn’t be productive. Instead, I took the time to think the problem through and find alternative solutions. These days, I’m able to apply the same strategy to my relationships. I do expect failure along the way, though. I'm going to have some broken mugs before I get it right.

Connecting and Sharing

A few years back, I got to talking with someone who ended up teaching me how to stack my chair differently so that I could fit more people into my car. Previously, I would just throw my chair and the wheels into the back seat. From this person, I learned how to place my chair a certain way so that the wheels could be stacked within the frame. I wasn't taught that in rehab at the hospital.

These are the kinds of things you learn through connections with other people.

We're like Transformers. If we can connect to each other, we're stronger, bigger, and more powerful. Two brains are better than one. Ideas build upon each other and become even better and more efficient.

Editor’s Note: Do you have any inventions or creative ways of doing things? Head over to the Wheel:Life Facebook page and share your lifehacks on this post!

This article was excerpted from an interview with Hydred Makabali. It has been lightly edited.

Have a question for Our Comfort Ambassador? Let us know! Contact us here.

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Comfort Medical delivers the leading brands of catheters and ostomy products to customers who use wheelchairs nationwide.

The Wheel:Life-Comfort Medical Relationship

Wheel:Life is now part of the Comfort Medical family! With more than 26,000 followers on social media, we served more than 100,000 website visitors with lifestyle resources in 2015. To help us expand our community impact, we have become part of the Comfort Medical organization.

Thanks to our relationship, we are able serve even more people who use wheelchairs with lifestyle resources, helpful products, and services.

Comfort Medical provides an extensive selection of name brand catheter and ostomy supplies to thousands of customers nationwide.

Their attention to detail, unmatched customer service, and dedication to helping customers live a happier, healthier life are just a few of the many reasons Comfort is one of the fastest growing catheter and ostomy supply companies in the nation.

If you have any questions about your medical supply needs, click here to get in touch with a Comfort Medical specialist!

Note: The Comfort Conversations articles are for informational use only and are not intended to be construed as medical advice. Ask your doctor about issues related to your health and medical needs.

About the Author

Betsy Bailey has a diverse background that includes experience in marketing research, business operations, travel and culinary writing, and playing volleyball professionally overseas.

Betsy has been writing for Wheel:Life since January of 2017 and thoroughly enjoys the process of getting to know her interviewees. She also teaches students learning English as a second language, speaks French fluently, and travels any chance she gets!

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Consider Buying Used

Whose idea was it for you to be carried across Europe, and what prompted it?

Were you nervous about leaving your wheelchair behind?

Did you feel vulnerable at times knowing that you had to depend on your partners to meet your needs and desires while traveling?

"They obviously missed the miracle in action right before their very eyes, which was that we had overcome the obstacle of disability through brotherly love and creativity."

Did your friends do any physical training in preparation for the trip?

What did you do to prepare?

Which do you prefer while traveling: using your wheelchair or being carried?

What’s been your favorite destination so far?

What destination is on the top of your list that you haven’t been able to go to yet?

Would you encourage others with disabilities to be carried while traveling if it’s an option for them?

"Everyone is uniquely limited, and there are literally countless ways to overcome limitations."

Tell us about the We Carry Kevan Foundation.

What are your long-term goals with the foundation?

What’s your best travel planning advice for people with disabilities?

"Don’t do it alone. That’s no fun."

About the Author

Inclusive Cycling International’s Mission

With these projects, the goal is to fundraise to cover the expenses of getting the program off the ground.

Awareness Tour 2020

All we need to do is demonstrate how people with disabilities can participate.

Why International?

The awareness is there stateside, so that's why I'm focusing on international communities.

Types of Bikes for Inclusive Riding

This is a game-changer for people with quadriplegia.

Why Cycling?

However, cycling is unique because it's an activity conducive to mixed abilities.

People with disabilities can participate in an activity that the rest of their community is doing, and that can truly break down barriers between them.

Starting a Program in Your Community

They chose us based on innovation, usability, and cost.

A Multiuse Tool

They had bought it at the expo the year prior, and they use it nearly every day.

Made in the USA

By choosing this factory, ADAPTS has helped re-employ some of the women who were out of work.

ADAPTS Specifications

It folds up into a tote that you can carry with you or put in a backpack.

A Real-World Test

Her son was already sitting on his ADAPTS in his airplane seat, so they were able to get him off the plane quite easily.

Airlines Need to Do Better

I think the airlines will eventually come around.

If they don't have an emergency evacuation plan for people in wheelchairs, they’re not truly accessible.

Ryan, tell us a little bit about your son Charlie.

How did Charlie get involved with sled hockey, and what’s his favorite part about playing?

How did you first hear about Freedom Concepts?

Can you describe Charlie’s Freedom Concepts handcycle?

It’s a good feeling to know that Freedom Concepts stands by their product.

What does Charlie like best about his handcycle?

Will he be able to continue to use his handcycle as he grows?

As a parent, what do you feel are the benefits of Charlie having a handcycle?

Becoming the One-Handed Lady Golfer

When my husband and I tried to find an instructor with experience in adaptive techniques, we couldn’t.

We want to be able to address all abilities so that anyone can come to a clinic and enjoy learning the game.

Golf as Therapy

Success is measured by each individual’s expectations.

A Tool for Combatting Trauma

Managing Expectations

It doesn't matter how they do it as long as it’s bringing joy, self-esteem, and the feeling of inclusion.

Exposing Youth to Adaptive Golf

They'll get an understanding that a person’s disability doesn’t define who they are and that everyone should be treated as a human being.

New Ranking System for Golfers with Disabilities

If you want to be a golfer, be a golfer.

Equipment for Wheelchair Users

If someone needs to swing from a seated position such as from a wheelchair, they can use clubs with shorter shafts.

Outreach and Advocacy

Exclusion isn’t by ill intent; it's the law of unfamiliarity.

Why Golf?

Golf brings people together like nothing else.

Waking Up after the Accident

I knew I'd have to plow through and learn new ways of doing things.

Paying the Bills

Insurance wasn't covering intermittent catheters for me, so those were out of pocket expenses.

This is Wheel Life

I try to make people laugh, and hopefully, I'm also educating them whether they're newly injured or don’t know anything about disability.

If someone is inspired or motivated by something I do or say, that's awesome.

My Snow Plow

I don't like being cold, but I do enjoy plowing.