Disabled Breakdancers You Have to See to Believe

These guys not only overcome their disabilities – they take advantage of them and create something new in their art form.

I was just blown away when I watched this video. You have to see it to get how amazing these guys are – it’s disabled guys breakdancing. And kicking butt at it, too. The crowd is going nuts for some of the moves they are pulling off, and seeing these guys maximize their abilities, and make the most of what they have to work with is totally inspiring.

I’ve had a grin on my face all morning since watching this.

You can see the video on Youtube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b_9rhnn1r4

Cerebral Palsy Will Not Stop Steve Wampler from Climbing El Capitan

Have you heard about Steve Wampler? In September, he plans to become the first person with cerebral palsy to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan, a vertical granite rock twice the height of the Empire State Building. Because of Steve’s condition, he will rely solely on upper body strength to reach the top. The ascent will take six days, with about 20,000 pull downs and the help of two skilled climbers.

One of the amazing things about Steve is that he’s climbing for something much greater than personal achievement. He is climbing to raise funds for his wilderness camps for kids with disabilities. He is so inspiring that he’s even gotten the attention of Ellen DeGeneres and Will Ferrell.

To read the whole story behind Steve’s climbing endeavor, his foundation, and an interesting personal anecdote about how he met his wife check out this uplifting article by Jenny Inglee.

Fitness and Being Physically Disabled

For some people, hearing “you can’t” is enough to make them say “I can.” That was the case for Jothy Rosenberg when he lost a leg and parts of a lung to cancer. Having a disability strengthened his resolve to work harder than able-bodied people to be able to accomplish even more than he might have had he not become disabled.

Jothy focused on endurance sports and using the effort from that as a motivator for everything else in his life. Many able-bodied people have discovered the self-confidence that is gained from competing and completing endurance events such as triathlons and marathons, and it’s true that many disabled persons could benefit from the same type of strength and inner confidence as well.

Looking at Jothy, who swims 5 miles a week, takes spin class, and cycles, one can’t help but be inspired by his dedication to use his disability to inspire and motivate himself.

Jothy’s story is inspiring – you really owe it yourself to take a look at his website, WhoSaysICan’t.org

Interview with Disabled T-shirt Designer Jared Aronson

We recently had the opportunity to get in touch with an inspiring young man who started his own t-shirt company, Madhouse Tees. Jared Aronson lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy every day, but his humor, his art, and his outlook on life are what define him. And considering what he has to live with every day, that is both amazing and inspiring. Read more

Positive Reinforcement

Ok, I don’t want to sound like I’m tooting our own horn here, but earlier today someone told me today that he finally visited this web site and really enjoyed it! He said that he thought the stories were really inspiring, and that he thinks everyone, not just those who are disabled, would be inspired by Luc’s story and experiences and the stories of the people we have interviewed.

For me, that was wonderful to hear, and helps to fulfill my hopes that we are doing something positive here. Encouragement and positive reinforcement is such a powerful force in anything, for anyone.

I’ll will try to remember that, and make it my goal that the next time I see anyone doing something that I think is good, or well done, I’ll let that person know.

Disabled Art – Part 2 of Our Interview with Andrew Reach

This is the second half of an interview we did with an inspiring artist named Andrew Reach. For part 1 of the interview please go here. In this second half, Andrew talks more about the creation of his art, and what inspires him. Read more

Disabled Art – Interview with Digital Artist Andrew Reach

Andrew Reach began his career as an architect, culminating with such notable buildings as the Frost Art Museum and the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse in Miami, Florida. But he found himself disconnected from his work as an architect when a disease of the spine, known as Scheuermann’s Kyphosis, caused him to need spinal fusion surgery. Following two surgeries to stabilize his spine in 2004, Andrew found himself no longer able to continue to work as he had before. Understandably despairing at the change his life had taken and not sure what to do, Andrew began exploring digital art at the suggestion of his partner, Bruce Baumwoll.

Using a computer and Photoshop, Andrew began to explore the digital medium as a means for expression, and now creates large format archival prints at sizes up to 90 inches long. His artwork has been featured in numerous galleries and museums around the United States, and those who see Andrew’s art often describe it as inspirational and uplifting. Andrew is a pioneer in the digital art arena and many people have been amazed by the expressionism he has been able to portray through this new form of art.

Recently, Andrew became involved as a volunteer with an art therapy program in Cleveland called the Art Therapy Studio at Metrohealth hospital. Founded in 1967, it’s the first Art Therapy program to be established in a hospital in the United States. Seeing parallels in the program’s goals and in what his art has done to help him, he realized that many of those in the program could benefit through expressing themselves in the digital medium, as he has. It is his hope that some of the art created in the program can be displayed alongside his in the near future.

We recently had the chance to interview Andrew to find out how he decided on digital art, what inspires him, and what advice he would share with anyone struggling with a disability. Below is part 1 of an interview we were privileged enough to do over the phone with Andrew Reach. For part 2 please follow this link. Read more

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