Author: anna-local

  • Alyson Duncan

    My name is Alyson Duncan. I am a daughter, a sister, an aunt and a Spina Bifida warrior. I was born with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele. Life hasn’t always been easy, but I try to make the best of the days i’m given. Imagine being married to the love of your life and expecting your first…

  • Jamilas Story

    In Chicago, Ill. I was born Beautiful. That’s what my father named me. At least, that’s how I was brought up to see myself. It didn’t turn out that way, though. January 15th, 1982 was the date of my birth. I was told I was born prematurely, but hey, I’m here. The youngest of 3…

  • Chad Waligura: Able Outdoors 

    “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely, or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be…” – Anne Frank That quote has been on the front page of my Follow…

  • Chad Waligura: The Joys Of Flying Solo

    It wasn’t until after 10 years of traveling post-injury that I got the bright idea that I might be able to do it by myself someday. It was kinda like putting the pieces of the puzzle together. I had loaded my bags in my truck, driven to the airport and parked in one of their…

  • LeaAnn: Exercises for Dysphagia

    I always start my start my story with “I went sleep as LeaAnn and woke up a total stranger.” On September 2014 Labor day, I suffered a bleeding stroke and brain anyurism followed by brain surgery to relieve the pressure. This was due to a blood disease I caught in my mechanical heart valves after…

  • LeaAnn: My Beautifully Broken Brain

    I always begin my story with “I went to sleep as LeaAnn and woke up a total stranger.” On September 2014 Labor day I suffered a bleeding stroke and brain anyurism followed by brain surgery to relieve the pressure to my brain. After some routine dental surgery, I caught a blood infection in my mechanical…

  • Amy Burnett

    My name is Amy Burnett and my ParaBadminton career has only just begun. However, my journey getting here has been a long and winding one through the ups and downs of many different sports. I just happened to stumble upon the sport while watching the 2016 Olympics. My tv was left on a channel that…

  • Jennifer Kumiyama

    Ms Wheelchair California Jennifer Kumiyama was born with Arthrogryposis and has limited range of motion in all four of her limbs. Jennifer feels lucky to have been born and raised in California as she thinks it’s a somewhat advanced state when it comes to disability rights and access. She actually competed for Ms. Wheelchair in…

  • LeaAnn: Aphasia and Apraxia

    Speechless: Traumatic brain injury, Aphasia and Apraxia  I always start my story with “I went to sleep as myself and woke up a total stranger.” On September 2014 Labor day I suffered a bleeding stroke and brain aneurysm which led to brain surgery to relieve the pressure on my brain. This was due to a…

  • Stephanie Stabile

    Hey everyone my name is Stephanie Stabile! I am from Debary Florida . I was diagnosed with Chiari Malformation after a car accident in 2000 . I have spent my whole life with headaches and pain and never knew why…till my first mri from the accident. Numerous dr and surgeons kept telling me i need…