Phaedra Marriott-Olsen has been crowned Miss Wheelchair USA 2010. The Miss Wheelchair USA competition is very similar to the traditional Miss USA contest.  “The largest difference is that we did not do a swimsuit competition,” Phaedra said.  The contestants are judged on appearance, their accomplishments and goals. One of the major differentiators is that they are also judged for the work they do as leaders in the field for women with disabilities. The goal of the Miss Wheelchair America pageant is to promote glamour, self-confidence and community service. “Society just doesn’t think women in chairs are beautiful and the reality is we’re pretty amazing,” Phaedra said.

Phaedra Marriott-Olsen, Miss Wheelchair USA 2010

Phaedra became disabled in 1996 after being hit by a drunk driver, but she didn’t let her tragic accident stop her from making strides toward preventing more drunk driving incidents from happening. Instead she took on the position of Director of Services for Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

Phaedra is an inspiration and a role model for women with disabilities. She now represents others in wheelchairs throughout the country and she plans to travel across the country to attend various events to promote individuals with disabilities.

“Just because you have a disability, does not make you a different part of society,” Phaedra said. ”We can still be active, intelligent people in our society. That’s my biggest goal.”

For more information about Miss Wheelchair USA, visit mswheelchairusa.org.

Aaron Fotheringham has taken a fact of life for him – being in a wheelchair – and converted that into something that can show others the power of resilience. In the first 20 seconds of this video, Aaron falls or crashes several times. It’s not the crashes that are important, though. It’s that he gets back up, keeps trying new tricks, and has almost single-handedly created the extreme sport of hardcore sitting.

We think Aaron is great and hope he keeps trying tricks and keeps living his dream.

For anyone who has ever driven across the continent, from one end of the United States to the other, it becomes apparent just how large and vast the US is. Now imagine traveling across it using only the power of your arms.

That’s exactly what Kristina Ripatti-Pearce did.

After the former Los Angeles Police Officer became paralyzed in a 2006 shooting, her life changed drastically, but her determination to take on challenges in life never diminished.

ESPN has a story about her and some of the challenges she faced riding across the US that you might want to check out: Paralyzed Police Officer Races Bike Across US.

As with any organization, The Boy Scouts of America have rules and guidelines that must be adhered to. When Nathaniel Schrader of Chantilly, Virginia, joined a local Boy Scout troop, the leadership was hesitant. They werenʼt sure how a boy with cerebral palsy would be able to fit in or even progress within the ranks with all his limitations. The leadership offered information on another troop in the area that served mobility impaired scouts but Nathaniel wanted to stay with his Cub Scout friends, all of whom chose this particular troop. Leadership wasnʼt sure how to teach a scout with so many limitations.

Nate in Boy Scout Uniform

Nate’s first new scout campout was on a boat with very steep ladders. Scouts quickly scampered down the ladders and were off playing a game. Nate, with his equipment on his back, arrived at the ladder, and quickly stopped abruptly in his tracks. After all, a steep one person enclosed ladder and a physical impairment never go together well.

The scoutmaster stopped as well and so did the many scouts waiting so impatiently behind him. Everyone silently waited to see what Nate would do next. Everyone looked to Nathan’s dad for help. What should we do? In the time it took adults to figure out how they were going to get Nate down this tiny one person steep ladder, Nate threw his backpack down ahead of him, turned himself around and took one hesitant careful step at a time. That was the minute everyone in the troop knew that Nate was not going to be stopped. Sure, he was extremely slow and sure he was scared. But surely, the leaders standing there were in awe of this 10 year old boy figuring out a way to keep up with his peers on his own.

Keeping up with his peers became a challenge for Nate as he worked tirelessly through each requirement. He needed to learn to put up a tent using only one hand, do the knots and lashings required and keep up with the hikes and challenges of the troop. On long campouts, simple modifications and safety drops needed to be put in place in the event Nateʼs legs could not continue due to his hemiplegia, or if a safety issue arose. Truly though, Nate never used the special accommodations. His scoutmaster, Ron Campbell, once said: “Nate is the only scout who doesn’t complain on the long hikes during a campout and of all scouts he would have the right to complain!” Nate was never the fastest, never the quickest, or never the first to arrive on a scene, but he always reached the goal.

Campouts werenʼt the only places Nate needed to persevere. Summer scout camp presented the most challenges. Many of the skills and activities offered were set by strict rules and safety guidelines and camp counselors were trained to adhere to those rules no matter the circumstances. This made coming up with modifications for Nate to participate using only one hand difficult at best. For future campouts, leadership learned to investigate activities for Nate before registering the troop for a particular camp.

Merit badges also presented some challenges. Some merit badges are choice driven. However, some are “Eagle Required”, which means if you want to earn the rank of Eagle, you must complete them. One in particular was a major challenge. The “Eagle Required” badge was a choice between swimming, hiking or biking. Because he is not a competent biker, and not a long capable swimmer, Nate chose to work through the hiking merit badge. Hiking was the last badge he needed to earn Eagle. For the summer of 2009, hiking was going to be his goal. Nothing else mattered to Nate besides earning that hiking badge.

Raising support for Eagle Scout Service Project

Hiking with legs of different lengths is not easy. Nate knew he needed to manage his special needs and the requirements of the badge. So he called on one of his physical therapists, Connie Johnson. Connie helped Nate keep not only the usual safety goals in mind for the hikes but his personal needs as well. Muscle spasms from overuse were the main concern. With safety in mind, Nate’s new shoes were on and he hiked, and hiked and hiked. Very quickly, his muscles got sore, his nose and cheeks sunburned and he was tired, but he somehow managed to continue his hikes.

First it was a walk around the neighborhood, then a trail walk to his local high school. He slowly built himself up to a 5 mile hike, then another. He completed a ten miler around a battlefield with his family members.  He brought friends on some hikes and it was his dog Benny that accompanied him on others. The soles of his brand new shoes were soon dusty, dirty and worn out. His shoes looked as thought they were saying “I give up!”, but Nate wouldn’t. He bought a new pair of shoes, retired the old pair and moved on for a new hike. Soon the completion of the badge he so vigorously sought was earned.

After many years of traveling with the troop, attending summer camp and working through the ranks of scouting, Nate had one last hurdle – the Eagle service project to the community. He chose to build picnic tables and benches for his local community pool association. In order to raise the funds needed, plan the blue prints, acquire necessary supplies and manage the project day, Nate knew he needed a force of many. He called on his friends, neighbors and family members. Old tables were demolished and removed and new tables and benches were built. When the project was finished, Nate wrote the report required to receive the approval signatures and scheduled his appointment with The Eagle Board of Review.

After all the challenges he faced, he thought a sit down meeting answering the questions of scouting officials would be one of the easiest hurdles he would face during his scouting career. After all, he had prepared by studying his book, doing practice questions with his parents and even talking to Eagle scouts for information about what to expect. He was prepared and all the true challenges were accomplished and checked off in his scout handbook.

The morning of his Board of Review, which took months to schedule, a very unexpected challenge arose. Nate had a fever of 102. Anyone with Cerebral Palsy is at a risk for seizures, especially during a fever. There was a potential for the fever to quickly be the start of a much more serious condition. Nate had good reason to call and cancel.  Certainly the team of scout executives assembled would understand. As Nate headed back to his bedroom, his parents were ready to pick up the phone to reschedule, but before they could, out came Nate in his full dress uniform ready to face yet another challenge. He didnʼt want to cancel. He had fought hard to arrive at this day, and no fever was going to stop him. So Nate, dressed in his formal uniform with a smile on his face, wiped the sweat from his fevered forehead and faced this last big challenge head on.

Nate, now 15 years old, will celebrate his Eagle Court of Honor award on August 28th, 2010. His family and friends will be there, his scoutmaster will be there and so will his therapists. His last hike will be down the aisle to have the Eagle award placed in his hand. He canʼt shake with his left hand well, as scouts are required to, but after four years of learning from Nate, his scoutmaster, the scouts in his troop, the Scouting executives and the people in the audience all will be reminded once again that doing it differently, doesn’t make it wrong.

Contribution by Deidre Schrader

What do you do when you have no arms and no legs? Your life may seem overwhelming because you may feel like you are missing out on so many things you are unable to do. Nothing is more untrue according to Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs. It is all about attitude! If you concentrate on what you do have instead of what you don’t have, you are setting yourself up to become a happy person. Be thankful for what you have; don’t be bitter for what you don’t have!

Being a C5/C6 quadriplegic, I can relate to Nick’s inspirational message quite well. It’s easy to feel sorry for yourself when you’re disabled and to blame your disability when you run into adversities. I have been there many times! And, just like Nick, I feel that having a positive attitude is the foundation for being a happy person regardless of whether you are disabled or not. I truly believe keeping a bright outlook on life after my disabling accident is what has allowed me to live a good life.

Nick certainly takes attitude and inspiration to the next level. Despite having no limbs, Nick is probably one of the most accomplished and happiest people in the world. One can only imagine the challenges he faced during his childhood years being ‘different’. But, he never gave up and instead turned his limitations into opportunities.

Now at the age of 27, Nick travels all over the world inspiring and motivating millions of people from all walks of life. He believes there is a purpose in the struggles we encounter in our lives and that our attitude towards those struggles along with our faith can be the keys to overcoming the challenges we face. Watching his humorous and inspiring introductory video will encourage you to reflect on your own situation and will very likely remind you that life offers a lot to be grateful for, whether you’re disabled or not.

Nick, you are a true inspiration and an example for all of us!

I need to keep this video queued up to watch every single time I am feeling sorry for myself, or feeling like saying “I can’t” or “no.”

Normally I can’t stand commercials but this one is brilliant. Have a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myDYE49KPlQ&feature=related

I love coming across videos like this because what you see is the power of the human spirit, and the willingness of people to help others improve their outlook and their lives.

“Disabled Sport USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.”

Take a look at the video, and if you feel inspired, you may want to take a look at the Disabled Sports USA web site.

Disabled Sports USA from Shannon Falter on Vimeo.

Javier Pena never saw himself working with people with disabilities, let alone leading a 25-member band whose members struggle with Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and blindness. He didn’t really understand what he got himself into at first when he accepted a symbolic position to help socialize disabled folks with music.

Photo Courtesy OPS Inc.

But what Pena has been able to accomplish with a group of disabled musicians is extraordinary. Now his band, known as the Spirit of Goodwill, is a group of legitimate performers, complete with a blues-belting lead singer, a well-trained choir, a horn section, keyboards, guitar, and drums. They have become sought-after entertainers and their story has just recently been turned into the award winning documentary For Once in My Life.

You can read the entire heart-warming and inspiring story, a contribution by Jenny Inglee, here.

A few years ago I had the opportunity to see a performance of the Axis Dance Company. I’m not usually the type of person that really enjoys modern dance performances, but the premise of the Axis Dance Company really intrigued me: blending performers in wheelchairs and with mobility disabilities with able-bodied dancers. Their mission is to make dance accessible to all – and they do it in a creative, innovate, and often beautiful way.

They have several videos up on YouTube so I’ll let the dancing speak for itself, but I will encourage you to take a look and see what is being done to push the boundaries of the perceived limitations of the disabled. The work of the Axis Dance Company is inspiring to watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMIgEO4vmcY&feature=related

Aaron Fotheringham is a guy who enjoys his life to the fullest as a wheelchair athlete doing wild tricks that resemble performances only done by BMX riders and skateboarders. If you have never seen a wheelchair back flip before, you should really check out this video. Aaron landed his first successful wheelchair back flip in July of 2006 and even before that he had already perfected a mid air 180° turn. I was truly impressed watching this video and what is even more amazing is that Aaron was only 14 years old at that time.

After his first back flip, he became famous almost instantaneously and started traveling all over the US and even some countries overseas. He has also won a few BMX free style competitions since. But winning competitions is not the focus in his life because what he really enjoys is just simply spending time with his friends at the skate park.

You can call Aaron a daredevil or whatever you feel like, but it is a treat to see him doing his stunts in a wheelchair. And what inspires me even more so about Aaron is the fact that he uses his own accomplishments as an example for teaching young disabled kids that a wheelchair can be a fun object rather than a confinement. And in the process he hopes to change how people perceive a person using a wheelchair.

Way to go Aaron!

To read more about Aaron check out Aaron Fotheringham’s website.