InstantForum.NET v4.1.4Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis Forumhttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Information@ChristopherReeve.orgSun, 05 Feb 2012 01:32:25 GMT20http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4435845-6624-1.aspx[size=2]Here's an interesting video from CNN. The video reports about a coach from Kansas who has been asked to stay off the field. Why? Because his wheelchair is a hazard to players.We know that a wheelchair does not define a person and it sure does not define his coaching abilities.The video features reactions from parents, other coaches, authorities, and from the coach himself.[url=http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/10/08/dnt.ks.wheelchair.coach.kctv]Watch the video[/url].What are your thoughts and reactions to this? Is this right? How would you feel if this was you?[/size]Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:14 GMTJLohttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4435730-6624-1.aspxFor a wheelchair traveler sometimes the journey can be the adventure. Even when getting lost, you’ll see something new. The more we see the more we are aware of life. Ever heard of the phrase, “don’t forget to stop and smell the roses?” Sometimes we are so focused on getting to our destination that the rest of the world passes us by. Go for a drive and stop along the way when something catches your eye to take a photo with a camera or even a phone. By doing so, you mentally slow yourself down and to enjoy a moment that is bigger than yourself. Whether you are in a city, suburb, or country there are beautiful and interesting subjects everywhere; manmade and in nature. For those with a passion for nature and the outdoors taking a drive to a destination is a perfect solution when you just need to get out and get a fresh air fix. Any national, state, or regional park is a great example of such a destination. Even by taking the drive you are investigating how accessible a location actually is. Perhaps you’ll want to get out of your car and explore or come back another day. One of the best long drives around is the Pacific Coast Highway, beginning in Washington and ending in Southern California. This part of the world is where the North American and Pacific Plate collide, creating dramatic cliffs and rock formation only seen along this coast. The movement of these plates underwater and the ocean’s eroding tide produces famous surfing spots and the Pacific Coast Highway rides right alongside it. The journey to any number of destinations for a wheelchair traveler is a part of the adventure[url=http://www.wheelchairtraveling.com]wheelchairtraveling.com[/url][i]making adventure accessible [/i]Thu, 28 Oct 2010 01:47:57 GMTWheelchair Travelerhttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4432387-6624-1.aspxA spinal cord injury to one of the players in this past weekend’s national televised[url=http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/dailydose/2010/10/18/rutgers-football-player-spinal-cord-injured] Army-Rutgers college football game[/url] has people talking about paralysis. The sad part is the discussion will die down. Nothing will change. Eric LeGrand’s injury will be written off as a freak accident. Something that won’t happen to me, or you, or my son, or my daughter. The trouble is the almost [url=http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5184189/k.5587/Paralysis_Facts__Figures.htm]1.3 million people in the U.S. living with a spinal cord injury[/url], and their families, cannot be written off. Now, you are here, so you already care. I’d love to know if you’re angry that more people don’t. That people not yet effected can say to themselves, it won’t happen to me, so I don’t need to be part of the discussion. Share your thoughts.RobTue, 19 Oct 2010 10:59:31 GMTGerthrohttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4431298-6624-1.aspxI'm writing in a desperate attempt to ask for your help. Our son, Benjamin, was nominated to compete for the Sports Illustrated Kids "Sports Kid of the Year" award for 2010. The selection process is based on academics, community service and, of course, sports activities. Ben was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when he was a year-and-a-half old and has been confined to a power wheelchair since then. He's grown into a bright and outgoing young man, and has not let his disability get in the way of his dreams. On the contrary, Ben has had straight A's in school since kindergarten, and has his own non-profit organization, "Bens Mends", which collects used and abused books, repairs them, and then donates the repaired books to other non-profit organizations that help women, children and the elderly. He's also a patient ambassador for the Tampa Shriner's Hospital and a spokesperson for the Hillsborough County Junior Achievement. His greatest thrill, however, is playing power wheelchair soccer. He is the captain of the Tampa Thunder power wheelchair soccer team, and has been on the team since it's inception seven years ago. The sheer thrill of the game is only matched by the joy of having a common goal with a group of friends who share in the pride of victory and the disappointment of defeat. The seven athletes on the Tampa Thunder team actually travelled to Vancouver, B.C. last weekend to compete in the "America's Champions Cup" tournament, in which the top 4 U.S. teams competed against the top 4 Canadian teams and each other. The Tampa Thunder finished SECOND in the competition, and Ben actually won "MVP" of the tournament, voted on by the seven coaches from the other teams the Thunder competed against. Having said all of that, here's where we need your help! The next round of the SI SportsKid of the Year competition involves on-line voting for the semifinalists from now through noon on Monday, October 18. Anyone can vote at [b]www.sikids.com/skoty10 [/b] and CAN VOTE AS OFTEN AS THEY WANT! The ultimate winner will be chosen from the SI Kids editorial board (from the three finalists who receive the most votes). To have Ben win as the SI Kids SportsKid of the year would be an amazing feat on so many different levels. What a great opportunity for kids (and families) across the country to see that those with disabilities are not defined by how they get around, but by what's in their hearts. One of Ben's "missions" in his life is that when people meet him they walk away saying "wow....you're not who I thought you would be". With your help, we can help show that a disability is not a disqualification. And, since this IS "Sports Illustrated", it would be an incredible way to spread the word about power wheelchair soccer to those who may not be aware it exists. Tampa Bay is known for it's amazing teams, and we'd like to have the Tampa Thunder included in the ranks of the Rays, the Lightning, the Rowdies and, of course, the Buccaneers! We can't tell you what an incredible impact the game has made in our lives, and I'm sure that there are future athletes across the country who need to know about power soccer. I'm asking for any help you can give us in getting people to click on the link and vote. There's no log-in required, no e-mail address to give...just go to the web site, click on Ben's "button" and submit. It's that easy, but there's not much time!!To learn more about power soccer and Ben, please visit www.tampathunder.org Thanks for your help!Jim CarpenterFri, 15 Oct 2010 16:32:37 GMTJimhttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4427745-6624-1.aspxNY Warriors Al Youakim InvitationalWheelchair Rugby TournamentKinnelon High School, Kinnelon, NJOctober 9-10, 2010games start at 9 ending at 5 on sat and ending at 3 on sun, come by its going to be lots of fun :D:D:D:DALL are invited for your support and chance to see something newWed, 06 Oct 2010 15:34:14 GMTLeohttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4407589-6624-1.aspxI'm starting this string to go with the GROUP that was created in another part of the community. [url=http://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/Groups/Accessible_Travel]Check it out[/url].Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:02:54 GMTGerthrohttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4423302-6624-1.aspx[size=2]Hi all!I wanted to start this thread because I am a huge sports fan and are always coming across different stories and articles I want to share.A few months back, I wrote a piece about [url=http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.5844609/k.248/Curling_Paralympian.htm]Jacqui Kapinowski[/url], a curling Paralympian. It was pretty awesome talking to her about a sport I knew nothing about! I admit, I first thought of curling as like curling weights at a gym! :)I just went to a Flyers/Devils hockey game the other night and the topic of sled hockey came up. Here's a [url=http://www.mlive.com/sports/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/09/local_pair_named_to_us_nationa.html]piece in the news out of Michigan[/url] about two teens playing with the U.S. National Junior Sled Hockey team.Happy reading![/size]Fri, 24 Sep 2010 10:17:11 GMTJLohttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4410771-6624-1.aspxMy husband and I are[b] searching for any other members of the disabled community who have dealt with Terry Tinnell of Legs Don't Work.Com, LLC or Parabasetec Inc. to purchase a Paragolfer handicap accessible golf cart.[/b] We were referred to Tinnell by several members in the Atlanta SCI community and were under the impression that his company was the only licensed vendor of the Otto Bock Paragolfer.[b]If there are other individuals out there who have dealt with Terry Tinnell, Legs Don't Work.Com, LLC or Parabasetec Inc and have experienced issues with orders, refunds or other activities, please let us know.[/b] [b]If you're interested in purchasing a Paragolfer, we would advise you to wait for now.[/b] Although we have researched Tinnell and his associates extensively, we are still unsure what exactly is going on in the disabled golf community and which organizations can be trusted to provide accurate information. Thank you for your interest and please let me know if you have any questions. I may not be able to answer them all, but I can certainly try.Tue, 24 Aug 2010 15:04:52 GMTTinahttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4398839-6624-1.aspxA great example of an organization whose goal is to keep those with physical disabilities active and involved is National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD). "The mission of the National Center on Physical Activity and Disability (NCPAD) is to promote substantial health benefits that can be gained from participating in regular physical activity" (NCPAD.org). On the website you will find helpful videos and articles on different types of physical activities and a state by state search feature to allow individuals to locate programs in their state.NCPAD www.ncpad.org NCPAD Videos http://www.ncpad.org/videos/NCPAD Programs by State http://www.ncpad.org/programs/All the bestMon, 26 Jul 2010 15:47:39 GMTPRC_Jenniferhttp://www.spinalcordinjury-paralysis.org/forums/Topic4394723-6624-1.aspxHi guys, I did a very short handcycle ride with a group called the Muddy Angels who rides in memory of and to raise funds for the families of EMT's who have been injured or killed in the line of duty.Next year I would like to do the full ride from New York City to Washington DC however in order to do that I will need a decent handcycle, and definitally don't have the $$ sitting in my wallet.Any ideas on training, funding or anything else are welcome.ThanksSat, 17 Jul 2010 19:31:32 GMTLil Fox