LIVE QUICKIE BLOG

I've been fortunate to try quite a few adaptive sports over years, but none have made a larger impact than wheelchair rugby. Rugby is so much more than just a sport to me. Don't get me wrong, there's definitely the typical sport aspects such as conditioning, practicing, training, and the inherent ups and downs of playing a team sport, but there's so much more that I initially didn't realize existed.

How have films influenced public perception of the disabled community? The truth is, people with disabilities have been vastly underrepresented in film. We know that the movie industry has shied away from the topic on the whole: while nearly 20% of the U.S. population has a disability, the proportion of disabled characters in movies is estimated to be only around 1%. We also know that virtually all roles of characters with disabilities are played by able-bodied actors.

I felt fortunate that I had gone to Disneyland twice in 2007, because in 2008 I was in a car accident that paralyzed me from the waist down. After becoming a wheelchair user, the thought of going to Disneyland was terrifying to me. I didn't know how accessible it would be and the thought of being amidst the huge crowds gave me anxiety.

As a newly graduated recreation therapist I was extremely excited to get a job working at a pediatric rehabilitation and transitional care hospital. In the months leading up to the holiday season my supervisor attempted to prepare me for the craziness that would ensue starting in November. The fascinating part was each time anyone in our rehabilitation department would talk about all that goes into executing a successful holiday season, the entire department would become giddy with excitement.

If you ask me about my journey of being a person with a disability, I will tell you that it's not always been easy, but I am going further emotionally, spiritually, and physically than I ever thought possible. Having the courage to face my fears and keep pushing forward, has led me to some of the most amazing experiences and the fulfillment of my wildest dreams.