Philippe’s swim across the English Channel is a true testament of how to overcome your disabilities through determination. He didn’t take on this challenge just to prove to himself he could do this amazing feat, but he did it for all those who have suffered tragedy and lost their taste for life.

Philippe Croizon in wetsuit

And Philippe, a French native, certainly knows what tragedy is all about. In 1994, he lost all of his limbs after suffering an electric shock as he stood on a ladder adjusting his television antenna, which touched a power line.

Philippe expected the 21 mile crossover between Britain and France to take about 24 hours, but he completed the swim in just 13 1/2 hours. Maybe it was the company of three dolphins that swam alongside him for a good part of the journey that gave him the extra speed. Philippe trained for this swim for two years and was able to get himself into such a shape that he can swim at around 2 mph, which is only slightly slower than the 3 mph that able-bodied athletes might achieve. Not bad for a quadriplegic amputee!

Shortly after his amazing accomplishment, he announced he plans to cross from Europe to Africa in the Strait of Gibraltar. Philippe, we certainly wish you good luck with this next challenge!

Learn more about this inspiring man and his memorable swim by watching this short video.

People who surf will tell you that there is something immensely freeing and satisfying in riding a wave and feeling the power of the ocean. After losing a leg in a car accident, Dana Cummings discovered that freedom and made it his mission to share it with other disabled people.

AmpSurf, short for the Association of Amputee Surfers, was founded by Dana and is a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities learn to surf. Many of them can’t imagine that they’d be able to get on a surfboard, and nearly all of them are nervous, but they all end up surfing.

Dana has said that he just wants everyone to be able to feel the rehabilitative power of surfing and the ocean, and this video shows that he is making a difference.

Congratulations to you Dana, and thank you for improving the lives of so many people.

Free Wheelchair Mission was founded in 1999 by Don Schoendorfer, who has a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, after he was inspired by the sight of a physically disabled woman in Morocco crawling across a dirt road. It certainly adds a challenge to life when you have a mobility disability. But setting that aside, the people who are physically challenged living in the more developed countries – like myself – may in some regard consider themselves lucky compared to those living in the poorer countries where access to the most basic wheelchair is practically non-existent.

Don took note of that unfairness and came up with the idea of creating a simple, durable and inexpensive wheelchair that would be distributed free to those in need on a non-discriminatory basis. As you can see from the picture, the wheelchairs are made using bicycle wheels and a cheap plastic patio chair. Now, how ingenious is that?

The cost of one wheelchair is around $60.00.  That is hardly anything when you think of the huge difference that one of these chairs can make in the life of someone in need, whose alternative would be to crawl across the dirt or being moved around in a wheelbarrow. So far Free Wheelchair Mission has given away nearly half a million wheelchairs in 77 developing countries.

One of my favorite anecdotes confirming what a difference this wheelchair can make is a story I read in the Los Angeles Times. It’s about a 5-year-old boy in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The boy lived in an orphanage for disabled children, where he spent most of his time lying on the floor except for trips to the bathroom. A week after the boy was given his new chair, the Free Wheelchair Mission representative who delivered the wheelchair was heading to the airport when he caught a glimpse of something familiar on the side of the street. It was a wheelchair. The little boy was in it being pushed by an older boy who was running. The boys were laughing.

Don, keep up the great work!

To learn more about the Free Wheelchair Mission, visit their website at http://www.freewheelchairmission.org

Jared Aronson, founder of Madhouse Tees, is a T-shirt designer living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. But, he doesn’t want to be perceived as the disabled guy in a wheelchair using a breathing tube. Jared is an artist who has been drawing since he was a young child. And even though drawing became more and more difficult over the years as paralysis gradually overtook most of his body, Jared kept drawing new T-shirt designs on his computer using only his thumb and a mouse.

Disabled artist Jared Aronson

His T-shirts are unique and funny. I bought a few of them and on several occasions I have been able to put a smile on people’s faces when I was wearing them. My favorite is the banana sliding over a person. I always feel a kind of pride when I wear one of Jared’s T-shirts because they are special and meaningful to me knowing they have been designed by an amazing young man who puts a lot of love, creativity and labor into each one of his tees. We had the opportunity of doing an online interview with Jared last year. If you haven’t read his inspiring story yet, you can read it here.

I have never met Jared in person and I was thrilled when he emailed me that he was going to be featured on TV. By watching his video, I learned a lot more about his family, his business, how he gets around and how he designs his T-shirts. It is truly enlightening to watch his video.  Just be patient while the 15 second introductory commercial passes by; it’s well worth the wait!

We posted a story last February about the ReWalk system, a device invented by an Israeli company Argo Medical Technologies, Ltd. that enables paraplegics to walk again. When I was watching the Belgian news on the Internet yesterday, which I do occasionally to keep in touch with what’s going on in the country where I was born, another walking device for paraplegics was featured. Hayden Allen from New Zealand, a paraplegic as a result of a motorcycle accident, showed off a pair of robotic legs that help paraplegics walk again. It caught my attention and I decided to investigate the system some more.

Rex robotic legs for paraplegics

The product is called Rex, an abbreviation for robotic exoskeleton, and was designed by two New Zealand inventors who claim these are the world’s first robotic legs allowing paraplegics to walk again. The battery-powered device weighs 84 pounds and is joystick operated. It enables its user to climb up and down stairs or slopes, sit, stand, and step forwards, backwards and sideways. Users simply transfer from their wheelchair into Rex, strap themselves in and start walking by controlling their movements with a joystick and a control pad.

Rex robotic legs joystick and control pad

Rex offers a lot of benefits in terms of mobility, improved social interaction and self-image. I have experienced that myself as a C5/C6 quadriplegic who uses a standing wheelchair. Just to be able to talk to people at eye level again is a major boost to your self-esteem. And it’s very likely that there are also long-term health and quality-of-life benefits through reducing the complications of being in a wheelchair all the time.

It is expected that the product will go on sale by the end of 2010, but only in New Zealand at first. The rest of the world will have to wait till the middle of 2011. Unfortunately the initial estimated $150,000 price tag will be prohibitive for a lot of prospects suffering from paralysis, but it is expected to go down when the product becomes available in larger quantities. At least it is nice to know that another technological advancement has been made towards improving the lives of people who are paralyzed.

It seems as if Rex is a realistic standing and walking alternative to wheelchairs, at least for some paraplegics. You can find out more information about these bionic legs at Rex Bionics.

You can also watch a demonstration of Rex by 23-year-old Hayden Allen, the first paraplegic to benefit from this amazing product, by watching the following video.

I remember going on a day trip to Grandfather Mountain near Linville, North Carolina a few years after my disabling accident when I was still living in Charlotte, NC. Grandfather Mountain is the highest peak on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Ridge Mountains and it’s best known for its mile high “swinging” bridge that links two of the mountain’s rocky peaks. The panoramic views from the bridge are supposedly spectacular, but I never got to see it because there was no wheelchair access to the bridge when I visited. Needless to say that I was very excited when I read an article about a new structure built at the top of Grandfather Mountain that provides wheelchair access to the bridge.

Luke Wilcox in front of swinging bridge

Making the mile high swinging bridge wheelchair accessible was a dream come true for Luke Wilcox. Luke was born with cerebral palsy and has been in a wheelchair all of his life. Luke and his parents frequently visited Grandfather Mountain ever since Luke was a baby and his parents were able to carry him up to the bridge till he became six years old. After that, they still visited Grandfather Mountain regularly but they only went half way up the mountain to the animal habitats because Luke got too big to be carried up to the bridge.

Luke, now 13 years old, is one of the first people to cross the swinging bridge in a wheelchair and he did it with a big smile on his face. Making the bridge accessible was a huge deal for Luke and the realization of his dream made him happy. Stories like this are a true testament of the difference accessibility can make in people’s lives.

You can find out more information about Grandfather Mountain at www.grandfather.com. And if you would like to witness Luke’s crossing of the mile high swinging bridge in his wheelchair, watch the video below.

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!

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.