Wheel Stories

Andrew Skinner joins Wheel Stories for episode 21.  Andrew sustained a spinal cord injury in a freak snowboarding accident in 2004. He is a recovering quadriplegic, husband to Kirsten, dad to Betty, and the founder of the Triumph Foundation. The Triumph Foundation exist to help individuals triumph over spinal cord injuries and disorders. The Triumph Foundation has given out over 2,000 Care Baskets for the newly injured in Southern California and touched the lives of more than 5,000 individuals with disabilities. In this episode Andrew and I chat about: Living Life with a Purpose SCI Rehabilitation Returning to the Workforce with a Disability Living an Active Lifestyle after a Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support for the Newly Injured COVID-19 and Social Distancing Grants & Equipment Adaptive Sports and Recreation WCMX Andrew's Wheelchair: Box Wheelchair Making Andrew's Life Easier: E-Motion Power Assist Wheels  Follow the Triumph Foundation: @triumphfoundation on Instagram Contact the Triumph Foundation: info@triumph-foundation.org Triumph Foundation Employment Achievement Award Grant Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: Salty Britches / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Sharon McKeeman joins Wheel Stories for episode 20. Sharon is a mama of four, military wife, wheelchair user, adaptive athlete, writer, educator, and photographer. In 2018 compartment syndrome caused paralysis in Sharon’s left leg. For Sharon adapting means acknowledging challenges while also celebrating how good life is even when it looks drastically different. In this episode Sharon and I chat about: Finding treasures in difficult circumstances Finding your voice Accessibility Parenting Traveling Solo Adaptive Sports Challenged Athletes Foundation    Sharon's Wheelchair: Quickie Making Sharon's Life Easier: Sidestix Crutches  Follow Sharon: @sharonmckeeman on Instagram Sharon's Website Sharon's Blog Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: Salty Britches / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order Support Team Reeve: Abby's Team Reeve Fundraising Page

Rachel Scott joins Wheel Stories for episode 19. Rachel is a mother of five, a former middle school math teacher, a marathon runner, and a connoisseur of seltzer and tacos. Most recently she's found herself in a new role: a special needs mom. Her second son was diagnosed with Acute Flaccid Myelitis, a polio-like, paralyzing disease in 2016. Since then, she's become an expert on all things Braden and an advocate for the AFM community.   In this episode Rachel and I talk about: Acute Flaccid Myelitis Our enneagram numbers Enjoying Disney with kids with a disability Special needs parenting Managing chaos Advocating for a rare disease Why you need to wash your hands   Braden’s Wheelchair:  Permobil K300  Making Rachel’s Life Easier:  Uber  Follow Rachel: Instagram @greatscott Follow Braden: Team Braden Luke  Learn more about AFM: Acute Flaccid Myelitis Association   Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: Salty Britches / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

February 29, 2020 is Rare Disease Day, and we’re taking a deep dive into why it matters in episode 18. There are more than 7,000 rare diseases affecting between 25-30 million Americans, and we’re talking about why awareness matters. Learn more about Rare Disease Day: https://rarediseaseday.org/  Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Brandon Mantz joins Wheel Stories for episode 17. Brandon is a T9 paraplegic from a spinal cord injury he sustained in a skiing accident in December 2018. Originally from Wisconsin, Brandon resides in Denver, CO where he has spent the last year adjusting to a new normal. He lives his life around four main pillars: love, generosity, adventure, and joy. Brandon is newly engaged and loves to find ways to continue the active lifestyle he’s always known. Brandon takes part in adaptive CrossFit, off-road handcycling, and nordic skiing. He volunteers with the Generous Coffee Company that supports nonprofits and seeks to create and multiply good in the world. Brandon’s Wheelchair:  TiLite TR/ https://permobilus.com/product/tr/ Making Brandon’s Life Easier:  FreeWheel / https://www.gofreewheel.com/ Follow Brandon: Instagram @bmantz3 Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Kelly Lamb joins Wheel Stories for episode 16. Kelly is the manager of Team Reeve for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. She first became involved with Team Reeve after her boyfriend, Jon David, sustained a C5 spinal cord injury from diving into shallow water in 2013. He was living in Arkansas, and she was in New York City at the time. She was looking for a tangible way to contribute to his recovery and also find a coping mechanism for their new reality when she decided to run and fundraise for her first marathon with Team Reeve. To date, Kelly has run 6 marathons for Team Reeve and raised over $90,000 in donations for spinal cord research due to very generous friends, family, and complete strangers. She was so thrilled to be offered the full time Team Reeve manager last February. Kelly resides in Little Rock, AR where she and JD live with two silly dogs and two very affectionate cats. JD’s Wheelchair: Permobil M3 / http://permobilus.com/product/m3-corpus/ Making Kelly and JD’s Life Easier: Tempur-Pedic Adjustable Bed / https://www.tempurpedic.com/bases-and-foundations/ Contact Kelly Lamb: klamb@christopherreeve.org Join Team Reeve: https://www.christopherreeve.org/get-involved/fundraise-with-team-reeve Follow Team Reeve: @teamreeve on Instagram Follow Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation: @reevefoundation Paralysis Resource Center: https://www.christopherreeve.org/living-with-paralysis/about-the-paralysis-resource-center Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: https://getsaltybritches.com/ / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Amy Van Dyken joins Wheel Stories for episode 15. Amy is a 6-time Olympic Gold Medalist in swimming and a spinal cord injury survivor. Amy overcame childhood asthma to become an Olympic Gold Medalist. After a 2014 ATV accident left her with a severe spinal cord injury, Amy’s competitive spirit and positive outlook fueled her to take on life at full speed despite her paralysis. Amy has become an advocate for the disability community and formed the Amy Van Dyken Foundation to fund the purchase of custom wheelchairs for children. Amy has found a new athletic passion in adaptive CrossFit. She finished second in the inaugural WheelWOD Games, the pinnacle of adaptive CrossFit and will be looking for gold in 2020.   Amy’s Wheelchair: TiLite TR/ https://permobilus.com/product/tr/ Making Amy’s Life Easier: Instacart / https://www.instacart.com/ Follow Amy: Instagram @amyvandyken Support Amy’s Army: www.amyvandyken.org Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Episode Notes Sarah Quinn joins Wheel Stories for episode 14. Sarah is a two-time national wheelchair tennis champion, a substance abuse counselor, and seamstress. Sarah is as brave as she is beautiful. She was paralyzed in an automobile accident at eighteen-years-old. Through her injury, Sarah discovered adaptive sports and found herself as a top collegiate athlete, something she admits never would have happened without her injury. Sarah has maintain a never give up attitude even in the hard and painful moments of her life. She’s never been one to dismiss the struggle in her life, and she uses her own story regularly as a substance abuse counselor. Sarah doesn’t want to let anything go to waste, not in life or in her passion for sewing. You’re going to love hearing Sarah’s story, and don’t forget to check at her beautiful creations on Instagram @saysaystitches. Sarah’s Wheelchair: Per4Max / https://www.per4max.com/ Making Sarah’s Life Easier: Lap Desk Connect with Sarah: Instagram @saysaystitches                                  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/sarahslc Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Don’t forget to share Wheel Stories with a friend and leave a show review.

Jennifer Nachreiner joins Wheel Stories for episode 13. Jennifer is the mom to Nolan, a witty and fearless six-year-old. Her journey began four years ago when Nolan was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis and became paralyzed from the neck down. Each day, they strive toward recovery and regaining strength so that Nolan can be independent. Jennifer has seen her entire life change over the last four years as she and her husband, Eric, moved their family from Pittsburgh, PA to Louisville, KY to give Nolan the best care possible. Jennifer shares her life in a candid conversation explaining the ups and downs of raising a quadriplegic. Jennifer says her family works hard but plays even harder, and her story is sure to motivate you to tackle the obstacles before you. Jennifer was six-months pregnant with her youngest son, Henry, when Nolan was paralyzed. She had no idea how she was going to manage a newborn and a newly paralyzed two-year-old, but Jennifer discovered she was stronger than she ever imagined. Nolan’s Wheelchair: Permobil Koala / https://permobilus.com/product/koala/ Making Nolan’s Life Easier: Apple Voice Control for iPad Follow Nolan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getwellnolan/ Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram

Dan McCoy joins Wheel Stories for episode 12. Dan who was born with spina bifida is a Paralympic Gold Medalist and A.C.E personal trainer. Dan shares his story of chasing an Olympic dream. He began playing sled hockey at the young age of four. By 8-years-old, he knew he wanted to be a Paralympian.  In 2014, Dan saw his dreams come true when he won the gold medal in Sochi, Russia as part of the United States Men’s Sled Hockey Team. Dan developed a passion for helping people reach their health and fitness goals following his Olympic Gold and became an A.C.E certified personal trainer. Dan resides in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania where he is an active advocate for the adaptive sports community. He is currently a member of the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey Senior team as well as the Director of Player Development for the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey Organization. Dan’s Wheelchair: Quickie / https://www.quickie-wheelchairs.com/ Making Dan’s Life Easier: Hands-Fee voice controls Connect with Dan: @danmccoyfitness on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter YouTube: Dan McCoy Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram

Jeff Townsend joins Wheel Stories for episode 11. Jeff goes by many different title including dad, husband, teacher, athlete, and coach. Jeff is currently a lecturer at Clemson University and coach of the Roger C. Peace Rollin’ Tigers, a junior wheelchair basketball team. Jeff shares his passion for adaptive sports and his desire to empower the next generation of adaptive athletes on and off the court. Townsend has more than twenty five years of experience in adapted sport and recreation.  During the past two decades he has had the opportunity to travel all over the United States and the World playing and coaching younger players, including camps in Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Mongolia, Spain, Mexico, Australia, and El Salvador. He also played wheelchair basketball professionally in Australia (2004) and Spain (2009). Jeff’s Wheelchair: PER4MAX Making Jeff’s Life Easier:  Toyota Tundra Rollin’ Tigers: https://www.facebook.com/RogerCPeaceRollinTigers/ Clemson University Adaptive Sports: https://www.facebook.com/CUAdaptiveSports/ Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram

It's two weeks until Christmas, and we're chatting about my favorite gift ideas. Listen in, and you'll even get a pep talk to start 2020 out strong. Here's a hint: it's okay to be bad at something. Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Instagram and Facebook

Brock Johnson joins Wheel Stories for episode 9. Brock is a quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident. Following his injury, Brock was determined to get back to his first love, surfing. Brock’s love and determination helped to create the Adaptive Surf Project and brought Wheel to Surf to Myrtle Beach, SC. Today, Brock is a competitive adaptive surfer and loves finding ways to get the differently-abled moving and back in the water.   Brock’s Wheelchair: TiLite / https://permobilus.com/products/tilite-manual-wheelchairs-smartdrive-power-assist/tilite/ Making Brock’s Life Easier: SmartDrive / https://permobilus.com/products/tilite-manual-wheelchairs-smartdrive-power-assist/ Accessible Van / https://www.amsvans.com/ Connect with Brock: Instagram @wheeltosurf Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brock.johnson.9822 Coastal Adaptive Sports: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CoastalAdaptiveSports/ Adaptive Surf Project: https://www.facebook.com/Adaptivesurfproject/ https://adaptivesurfproject.com/ Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Mike Jezdimir joins Wheel Stories for episode 8. Mike was diagnosed with transverse myelitis in 1967. He has spent the last 50 years in and out of a wheelchair, but Mike never let his disability stop him from the living the life he wanted. Mike is a graduate of Western Michigan University. He and his wife Louann raised two sons and enjoy playing with their four grandchildren. In 2013, Mike and Louann started the Mike L. Jezdimir Foundation to promote awareness and raise funds for the research of transverse myelitis. Mike’s Wheelchair: https://www.hoveround.com/ Making Mike’s Life Easier: Amazon Echo Dot Connect with Mike: Instagram @mjezdimir / Facebook @mljtransversemyelitisfoundation / YouTube Mike Jezdimir Mike L. Jezdimir Foundation: https://www.mikestransversemyelitis.com/ Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Aaron Wheelz Fotheringham joins Wheel Stories for episode 7. Aaron is an extreme athlete who has changed how the world views wheelchairs. Aaron does outrageous stunts and incredible flips off mega ramps as part of the action sports tour Nitro Circus. Aaron is also the inspiration behind the Wheelie Chair by Hot Wheels. More than anything else, Aaron wants to make the wheelchair cool for the next generation. Aaron’s Wheelchair: WCMX Chair / https://www.boxwheelchairs.com/ Making Aaron’s Life Easier: https://www.fcausdriveability.com/ Connect with Aaron: Instagram @aaronwheelz / Facebook @aaronwheelz Aaron’s Website: https://www.aaronfotheringham.com/ Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Follow Abby: Instagram @fightlikewyatt / Facebook @wyattsfightagainsttm Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Amberley Snyder joins Wheel Stories for episode 6. Amberley was a champion barrel racer when a 2010 car accident left her paralyzed. Amberley refused to let her injury keep her out of the saddle. She returned to rodeo and was selected as the 2015 fan exemption choice for The American, the world’s richest one-day rodeo. Her story became the basis of the Netflix movie “Walk. Ride. Rode.” Amberley is also a sought-after speaker who travels across the United States sharing her inspiring story.   Amberley’s Wheelchair: https://permobilus.com/products/tilite-manual-wheelchairs-smartdrive-power-assist/tilite/ Making Amberley’s Life Easier: Adaptive Cabinets with Pull-Down Shelving Connect with Amberley: Instagram @amberleysnyder / Facebook @amberleylanasnyder Amberley’s Website: http://www.amberleysnyder.org Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram Sponsor: http://www.getsaltybritches.com / WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout for 20% off your order

Today’s guest is Cody Unser. Cody became paralyzed by transverse myelitis when she was just 12. Today, she values her wheels more than high heels. Cody is a bold advocate for the disability community and founder of the Cody Unser First Step Foundation. She is a certified PADI Advanced Scuba Diver and was inducted into the Women’s Divers Hall of Fame. Cody’s story will challenge us to break the barriers we set on our own lives. Cody’s Wheelchair: Quickie / Favorite Product: Grabber Connect with Cody: Instagram @codyfirststep / Facebook @codysfirststep Connect with Wheel Stories: @wheelstoriespodcast on Facebook & Instagram

Today’s guest is Eric LeGrand. Eric is a former Rutgers football star who was paralyzed while making a tackle in a game on October 16, 2010 at MetLife Stadium. Eric battled a grim prognosis with strength and determination to defy expectations of his recovery. Eric was the recipient the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the 2012 ESPY Awards. Eric has become a leading advocate for the spinal cord injury community. Eric launched Team LeGrand in 2013 as a fundraising arm for the Christopher & Dana Reeve foundation and has raised over 1 million dollars. Connect with Eric: Website / Facebook / Instagram Service that Make Life Easier: Bayada Home Health Eric's Wheelchair: Permobil F5  Connect with Wheel Stories: Facebook / Instagram

Today’s guest is Mike Hudson. Mike, a former active duty Marine and police officer, is an avid outdoorsman and all-around great guy. After a diving accident left him a quadriplegic, Mike was determined to get back to living, and living meant being outdoors. Mike is the founder of ROAR Outdoors, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that exist to empower the disabled to utilize their God-given talents and abilities in outdoor settings. Mike’s Wheelchair: Quantum iLevel Connect with Mike and ROAR: Facebook / ROAR Outdoors Connect with Wheel Stories: Facebook / Instagram

My guest for Wheel Stories episode 2 is Wyatt Banks. Wyatt will undoubtably be the cutest guest to appear on the podcast. Wyatt is a wild seven-year-old paraplegic who loves wheelchair basketball ball and making his mom laugh. He is the heart behind this podcast.   Abby's Book: Love Him Anyway Wyatt's Wheelchair:  TiLite Pilot Making Life Easier: The Simplified Planner Follow Abby and Wyatt: Facebook /Instagram  Connect with Wheel Stories: Facebook / Instagram   Sponsor: Salty Britches / Use code WHEELSTORIES20 at checkout  

Welcome to the Wheel Stories Podcast! I'm so glad you're here. Join me, Abby Banks, for candid conversations with wheelchair users and their families. I'm a mom on a mission to take the fear out of wheelchairs. In this introductory episode, you'll hear my heart behind Wheel Stories, and I'll share my hopes for this podcast. I would love for you to be part of the Wheel Stories community. I need you to make this podcast happen. Don't forget to subscribe and share Wheel Stories. Connect here: https://www.instagram.com/wheelstoriespodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/fightlikewyatt/ https://www.facebook.com/wheelstoriespodcast/