How Toys Can Reflect Diversity & The Differently Abled Growing up, my favorite toys were always cars, trucks, motorcycles, and action figures— He-Man, Gi-Joe, Superman and Star Wars. My sister preferred Barbie, My Little Pony and Care Bears. However, when I look back at the early objects that influenced me, they were all able-bodied with… Continue reading Toy Diversity: Inclusive Youth

Bodywork Can Make a Difference For SCI Throughout the years I have explored many methods for managing pain, stiffness, spasticity, and stress, all of which are common repercussions from a chronic spinal cord injury. I have tried it all— doctor-prescribed medications, holistic tinctures, natural herbs, Yoga, Pilates, Watsu and exercise— just to name a few!… Continue reading Pain Management: Massage Matters

September is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month, and to highlight all of the different stories out there, I wanted to share some great books written by people who have spinal cord injuries. I have not read all of these books, but what I can attest to (since writing about my own injury and recovery process)… Continue reading Twelve Authors with a Spinal Cord Injury

Definition: Pressure injuries (also known as decubitus ulcers, pressure sores or bedsores) are damage to an area of the skin caused by constant pressure for prolonged periods of time. A pressure injury forms where the pressure from body the body’s weight presses the skin against a firm surface, such as a bed or wheelchair. Pressure… Continue reading Pressure Sores Are Not to Be Taken Lightly

Sustaining a spinal cord injury as a young, professional athlete took my identity away from me. My grandfather would call me “grasshopper” because I was always moving around – on my feet, in the air, on a surfboard, skateboard or motorcycle. In 1999, I broke my neck at C-4,5,6 and the way I had navigated… Continue reading Getting Competitive: Sports & Spinal Cord Injury

Amidst our nation’s aging infrastructure and antiquated stigmas, there seems to be a groundswell of passionate entrepreneurs, engineers, universal designers and agents of social change focused on destigmatizing disability and disrupting the status quo while redefining and redesigning a radically inclusive world. As friend of mine, and radical change maker, Riley Poor, says: “Radically Included… Continue reading What Does it Mean to be Radically Included?

Learning To Roll With It I have said it before, but the fact still holds true, my spinal cord injury takes a back seat to the lady of the house— my thirteen-month-old daughter, Cayla Mae. My once fearful outlook on parenthood has long since evaporated, now replaced by the pragmatic question of “How do I… Continue reading Parenting With A Spinal Cord Injury

Safe & Fun Ways To Return To The Water Summer is here, and if you live anywhere near California I am sure you’ve felt the heat! I personally, love the warm weather, it reduces my aches, pains, and spasticity and urges me to get in the water—a place for real fun in the sun. And… Continue reading Adaptive Water Sports

Transform Your Adversity Into Adventure Here it is! July 26th, 2022: the release date of my memoir, a detailed account of my life before and after a spinal cord injury. Writing this opus was a laborious work of love. It was a cathartic reflection of my past, a vulnerable exposure of the present moment and… Continue reading The Rebellious Recovery

Explore The Seashore With Shield HealthCare! The western edge of California has some of the most spectacular coastline in the world. The Golden State is graced with hundreds of miles beautiful beaches and stunning seashore. I, like so many, love a day at the beach with family and friends, but because of my mobility challenges… Continue reading Accessible Coastline – Part 1: California