Taylor Nichols, a former professional motocross athlete from Texas injured 7 years ago, went on to discover pickleball post-injury. A sport offering both physical and social benefits, he quickly fell in love and was hired by Chicken N Pickle, a national pickleball chain in Texas, Arizona, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma that offers free use of two s…

While the web is full of accessible travel sites today, that wasn't the case in 2006 when Ashley Lyn Olson started her now infamous wheelchair travel site, Wheelchairtraveling.com. Her site is chock full of indispensable accessible travel info from her worldwide travels and her contributors. After becoming paralyzed at 14, travel was Ashley's vesse…

Meet Jeffrey Lorenzo Williams, a New York City real estate broker from Harlem who's been injured since he was a teenager in the early 1980s from an accidental shooting. His injury however was simply a catalyst for an amazing life that he shared with us in this uplifting episode. After getting a degree in Criminal Justice, he went on to become a rea…

Paralyzed for nearly 20 years, Paul LaCorte, a 38 year old paraplegic originally from California now living in Montana, shares his journey since his injury at 18 years old. From pivoting employment goals from auto mechanics to mass communications to teaching himself how to play the guitar post-injury as a form of therapy, Paul is living his life on…

In episode #52, we spoke with the newly paralyzed ShelbyLynn Quintana, injured from transverse myelitis last year. She shares her experience of being undiagnosed for months until a cause of paralysis was found thanks to sharing her story on Tiktok. Also a published poet, ShelbyLynn sheds light on a cause of paralysis that not enough people are awar…

In episode 51, we spoke with Chris Hrabik, based in a small town in Missouri, who was paralyzed nearly 20 years ago in a car accident at the age of 18. An incomplete quadriplegic, he went on to become a talented metal artist and fabricator as well as a rally racer after his injury. And he has a new project - starting his very own adaptive driving s…

In this episode, we're joined by Shelly Kerschner, a longtime paraplegic who penned the book, "Standing Tall & the Healing Power of Gratitude," after her injury. She shares the importance of gratitude in her life, as well as her other passions, adaptive kayaking and adaptive yoga, and shares her plan to become an adaptive yoga teacher. — Follow She…

In episode 49, we speak with founder of SPINALpedia and creator of Slingshot Golf, Josh Basile, a C4-5 quadriplegic who grew up loving the game of golf. Since standard adaptive golf wasn't a possibility for Josh due to arm mobility limitations, he created Slingshot Golf as a way for anyone to be able to golf no matter their mobility level. In May 2…

A former high school theater kid and aerobics instructor paralyzed in 1990, Katie Rodriguez Banister has been living life as a C5-6 quadriplegic for over 33 years. Post-injury, she found a passion for speaking and writing about SCI issues like managing/finding caregivers, and during Covid she decided to turn her autobiography into a play with the h…

In episode 47, we share a conversation with Gabe Trujillo, a longtime digital producer at 12 News, NBC-affiliate in Phoenix. Gabe became paralyzed at the age of 14 by a rare form of polio, induced by an extreme asthma attack. After finally getting a diagnosis years after his injury, Gabe settled into his new life as a quadriplegic (with arm movemen…

In episode 46, we chatted with musical phenom Amy Wang-Hiller, the only professional violinist in the US who uses a wheelchair full-time. She is new to using a wheelchair due to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a condition that affects the collagen in the body and can cause spinal cord injuries. Originally from Shanghai, China, Wang-Hiller moved to the US t…

A quadriplegic, husband, father and community health worker, Casey Moore from Medford, Oregon shares his story. Paralyzed in 2000 in a diving accident, he was unsure of what life held for him, but he did his best to focus on the positive and pushed ahead, going on to marry the love of his life, having a son without the need of IVF and then finding …

In our second disability employment success story for National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2022, meet Candis Welch. A lifelong resident of Los Angeles, California with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, she began her career as an Executive Assistant with Issa Rae Productions after graduating with a degree in Journalism. She then pivoted to the publ…

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and this year we will be highlighting a variety of disability employment success stories. Brandon Winfield, founder of the accessibility review app iAccessLife, is first up in our series. Paralyzed at the age of 14 in a motocross accident, he went on to become a self taught QA analyst and an…

Is Zumba a good workout for wheelchair-users? In this episode, we speak with wheelchair Zumba instructor Tennille Houston from Idaho who fills us in on why Zumba is a great workout for those who can't walk. Also married with two teenagers, she became a wheelchair-user over 14 years ago due to pregnancy complications and went on to become a Zumba ce…

Tim Taylor, a C5 quadriplegic from Pennsylvania, has experienced a lot since his injury nearly 20 years ago, and he has a lot to share in this episode. We talk with him about his car accident that resulted in the death of two individuals, how he made it through the depression that followed afterwards and how he ultimately found his calling since he…

We're excited to have Jason Thurston, a C5-6 quadriplegic, back on the show. A wheelchair camping expert who camped alone 4 times last year, he's now the Outreach Coordinator for International Paper John Dillon Park, a free and fully inclusive campground located in New York state in the Adirondack mountains. Injured in 2004 in a diving accident, th…

If you're looking for a dose of motivation, this is the podcast episode for you. Injured 5 years ago in a motorcycle accident, Bianca Faith Johnson went on to receive her law degree and is now an assistant college professor as well as an assistant preacher at her church, St. Albans. To top it off, she's also the newly crowned Ms. Wheelchair New Yor…

If you get paid more to pour a cup of coffee at McDonald's than be a caregiver, the system is surely unjust. Kevin Orr, a complete C4-5 quadriplegic from Mississippi and former police officer injured in 2009, has experienced a severe absence of caregivers since the pandemic began (with his mother becoming his full-time caregiver as a result). Tiffi…

In the first episode of 2022, we chat with Natalie Cinman, a passionate home cook and wheelchair-user from Montreal, Quebec. She may not be paralyzed, but she has dozens of amazing tips to share on cooking in a wheelchair. Born with osteogenesis imperfecta, she lives in her forever home with her dream accessible kitchen, along with her husband and …

Peter Yeo, a C4 incomplete quadriplegic from British Columbia, Canada, shares the two surgeries that helped him regain movement after his spinal cord injury, including a groundbreaking therapy to treat spasms after maxxing the daily maximum of Baclofen. He was also the first to receive this treatment. And although he still has limited upper-body mo…

Not being able to move just one of her legs is how Melissa Childers, an avid marathon runner and mountain climber, woke up one January morning in 2021. By the day was up, she would be no longer able to move her legs. Diagnosed with a spinal stroke (which can happen to anyone at any time), Melissa has had to figure out life after paralysis this year…

Beth Beckley is not your average married lady living life in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs with her spoiled fur babies (although her dogs are insanely cute). Injured 13 years ago when she was 21, Beth, now a T4 paraplegic, has an appreciative perspective on life. She shares her injury story, how recently lost 40 pounds and how she's forging ahead wi…

In Episode 35, we are joined by Ulysses Martin, a 45 year old C3-5 quadriplegic, father and quadriplegic from Florida. A former amateur MMA fighter, minor league football player and actor, Martin was injured in 2018 when he was hit by a SUV while on his motorcycle. He is now striving to walk again and is determined to return to physical therapy to …

In Episode 34, Ernie Johnson, paralyzed as a C4-5 incomplete quadriplegic while playing high school football over 24 years ago, shares his life in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, including his passion for adaptive surfing. Surfing on his belly, he has won a number of adaptive surfing events. From being a wheelchair bodybuilder to a high school basket…

In Episode 33, Ron Trozzi, a C5-6 quadriplegic injured over 43 years ago at 20 years old as an officer in the Coast Guard, shares his spinal cord injury story. A Long Island native, he decided to hightail it to Tucson, Arizona 2 years after his injury so he would no longer be known as the 'wheelchair guy' in the neighborhood where he grew up. He al…

In Episode 32, Tiffiny chats with the very cool Leah B. Rose from Vancouver, British Columbia. After her injury, Leah, a C5-6 complete quadriplegic, discovered a love of empowerment coaching for youth and mothers. She felt the need to help others because of what she learned after her injury (and she also became the owner of two Sphynx/hairless cats…

In our interview with Scott W. Fedor, a C3 quadriplegic from Ohio, he shares the 5 most important life truths he's learned since breaking his neck in a diving accident 12 years ago. A non-sugar coater, Scott speaks from the soul, sharing awesome tips on how to deal with some of life's biggest blows. For more on Scott, including where to purchase hi…

In our first episode of 2021, we speak with Ryan S. Atkins, a C3-4 quadriplegic from Cincinnati, Ohio (and Bengals fan) who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2009. He has mastered the art of focusing on the here and now and how to balance the reality of being paralyzed and staying positive even he never walks again. Ryan has also published a book …

In Episode 29, Pt. II of Working After a Spinal Cord Injury, we chat with Alex, a C4 quadriplegic from Miami injured in 2018, who still works as a real estate agent, and then we speak with Kenneth, a C5 quadriplegic from Colorado. Kenneth was a Walmart store manager for several years and now works for Colorado Cross Disability Coalition - ccdconlin…

In Episode 29 and for October Disability Employment Awareness Month, we chat with César, a C4 quadriplegic from Tijuana, Mexico, who has his own online business, and we speak with Derek, a C5-6 quadriplegic from Mississippi, who has worked as a financial advisor and many other jobs during his 29 years post-injury. - Check out César's store: https:/…

In Episode 28 of Life After Paralysis, we interview two paraplegics who've traveled during the COVID-19 pandemic, both traveling to the state of Florida. We first speak with Dick, a 60 something paraplegic injured for over 40 years, who shares his favorite airline right now and his travels in Tampa. Our second guest is Corey, a paraplegic and a sea…

The spinal cord injury world has been eagerly awaiting some kind of viable treatment, and epidural simulation is finally providing that hope. Case in point Keith Smith. A C4 complete quadriplegic from California, he was chosen to be part of Dr. Susan Harkema's epidural simulation trial at the University of Louisville. Besieged with dangerously low …

In Episode 27, we chat with three people who share their amusing and sometimes frustrating stories of discrimination after becoming disabled. In many cases people just don't understand that our brains aren't affected as well, which leads to some funny stories. We chat with Sean Dineen, a professor with spastic paraplegia, Ken Macdonald, a quadriple…

In Episode 26, we chat with two more people about quarantining and having a spinal cord injury. Our first guest is Noel Joyce, a paraplegic from Ireland, who is a industrial designer. He shares insight into the designs occurring as a result of COVID-19 and how they benefit people with disabilities. Our second guest is Misty Dawn Piker, a paraplegic…

Episode 24: Vent Life In episode 24, we talk to two people with quadriplegia who use a ventilator to breathe. We first speak with Drew Clayborn from Michigan. Injured in high school, he went on to attend the University of Michigan and is the founder of The Drew Crew Charitable Organization. Next, we speak with Loa Griesbach from Washington who's be…

In episode 23, we uncover wheelchair life hacks your therapists forgot to tell you about. From the wonders a simple cone can do to prevent parking abuse to a spatula set-up for a C1 quadriplegic that enables independent eating, Tiffiny chats with four guests who share their best tips that have the power to change lives. Guests in this episode are t…

In episode 22, four people with paralysis share their stories about driving post-injury. They share the adaptive driving programs they use, their fears about driving again, and the technology they use that enables them to drive. Tiffiny talks to Heather Wood, a mom with Guillain-Barré syndrome from Massachusetts, Mike Gerhard, a paraplegic who's be…

In episode 21 and the first episode of 2020, Tiffiny is joined by Brandon, a father of 4 who's been injured for only one year following a motorcycle accident and has already been through so much, including depression, a relationship ending and losing his job. He shares his story and how he's making it through this difficult time in his life. We wan…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Shawn Dean, a lawyer and C6 quadriplegic who lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He currently works for US Bank. To be matched with a FREE disability employment benefits counsel…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Garrison Redd, a paraplegic from Brooklyn, NY, who worked FT for the IRS then decided to switch careers, becoming a wheelchair model and actor. To be matched with a FREE disa…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Brian Denny, a high-level quadriplegic who works full-time as an Outreach Coordinator at the South Carolina Spinal Cord Injury Association. He is also married and has three c…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Cody Bowman, a 32 year old with spina bifida from Florida, who's currently working PT in retail while attending college. She is studying for her Bachelors in Communication an…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Doug Maurer, a paraplegic of over 40 years who has an amazing career in computer programming. Originally from Wisconsin, he lives in South Carolina with his wife, children, a…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with with Dick Crumb, a paraplegic of over 45 years who is retired after working in the Agribusiness for several decades. He resides in Stillwater, Minnesota with his wife. To be …

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with with Steve Laux, a medical engineer at Medtronic and a C6 quadriplegic from Minnesota. He is married and has triplet daughters. To be matched with a FREE disability employmen…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Joey Carlson, a former speed skater who works in Marketing Communications at Medtronic Corporation. He is a C5-6 quadriplegic from Minneapolis, Minnesota. To be matched with …

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Shannon Minnick from Washington DC. She has been a C7 quadriplegic since 1990 and is the Director of Independent Living Services at Independence Now, Inc. She is also a mom a…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Bill Fertig, a longtime disability advocate from Virginia who is the Director of United Spinal’s Resource Center. Bill was injured in 1999 in an off-duty police office motorc…

In October, we celebrated National Disability Employment Awareness Month, speaking to people with paralysis about their careers post-injury. In this interview, we chatted with Kelly Morse who is an optometrist (eye doctor) from Pennsylvania. She is also a paraplegic and was injured while in college. Kelly knew since she was a little girl that she w…