Life After Paralysis with Tiffiny Carlson

Not being able to move just one of her legs is how Melissa Childers, an avid marathon runner and mountain climber, woke up one January morning in 2021. By the day was up, she would be no longer able to move her legs. Diagnosed with a spinal stroke (which can happen to anyone at any time), Melissa has had to figure out life after paralysis this year. She joins Tiffiny to discuss rehab during a pandemic, neuropathic pain and how she's coping, and she also discusses her first trip post-injury to Colorado wand the amazingness of trying an adaptive mountain bike with the Adaptive Sports Center in Crested Butte. Run-time is 22 minutes.

- Follow Melissa on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melleighc/

- Watch Melissa's videos on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBuWRaCeAZ7e_g6nKnDF0YA/about

Beth Beckley is not your average married lady living life in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs with her spoiled fur babies (although her dogs are insanely cute). Injured 13 years ago when she was 21, Beth, now a T4 paraplegic, has an appreciative perspective on life. She shares her injury story, how recently lost 40 pounds and how she's forging ahead with a new healthy lifestyle.  

Beth also shares how she lost the weight with help from the Shepherd Center, one of the best SCI rehab centers in the US. Married for 10 years, she also talks about how she met her husband on eHarmony as well as how she deals with a less than harmonious mother-in-law. They're also currently trying to get pregnant. Listen to our 25 minute chat with Beth Beckley below.

- Watch the video version of this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb9y4LdgRj4

- Follow Beth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wheelingwithmebethb/

- Follow Beth on Youtube (she makes DIY crafts): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeR4T7wgd8T0DhmLmHDyE6Q

- Read her guest post on our blog, "Guest Post: Life is Still Worth Living" by Beth Beckley, here: https://spinalpedia.com/guest-post-life-is-still-worth-living-by-beth-beckley/

- Shepherd Fitness Center: https://www.shepherd.org/promotion

In Episode 35, we are joined by Ulysses Martin, a 45 year old C3-5 quadriplegic, father and quadriplegic from Florida. A former amateur MMA fighter, minor league football player and actor, Martin was injured in 2018 when he was hit by a SUV while on his motorcycle. He is now striving to walk again and is determined to return to physical therapy to pursue activity-based therapy at Stay In Step in Tampa..

Activity-based therapy is a form of physical therapy where people continue to go for months, even years after their injury and continue to see return through exercises like gait training and vibration therapy. It is expensive and Martin is currently fundraising so he can return. Learn more about Martin and his incredible story below. Run-time is 30 minutes.

- Ulysses' site

- Follow Ulysses on IG

- Donate to his GoFundMe account to help him return to therapy here

In Episode 34, Ernie Johnson, paralyzed as a C4-5 incomplete quadriplegic while playing high school football over 24 years ago, shares his life in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, including his passion for adaptive surfing. Surfing on his belly, he has won a number of adaptive surfing events. From being a wheelchair bodybuilder to a high school basketball coach, Ernie hasn't held back. He's become an advocate for the South Carolina spinal cord injury community as well. Listen to our 27 minute conversation with Ernie below.

- Follow Ernie on Instagram at @bigern34

- Adaptive Surf Project in Mrytle Beach

In Episode 33, Ron Trozzi, a C5-6 quadriplegic injured over 43 years ago at 20 years old as an officer in the Coast Guard, shares his spinal cord injury story. A Long Island native, he decided to hightail it to Tucson, Arizona 2 years after his injury so he would no longer be known as the 'wheelchair guy' in the neighborhood where he grew up. He also talks about his love of accessible gardening on his 1 acre hobby farm, including growing organic tomatoes, purple Basil, and much more.

Forty years later, he's still enjoying his life on his 1 acre farm, replete with a swimming pool turned into a natural pond and his highly prized organic tomatoes that local restaurants covet. He also shares his secret to staying healthy all these years, and how the lungs are by far the most important organ to keep healthy as a quadriplegic. Ron has been battling a lung infection.

Runtime is 31 minutes. Listen below or watch the video version here.

- Want to message Rob? Contact Rob via Facebook here

In Episode 32, Tiffiny chats with the very cool Leah B. Rose from Vancouver, British Columbia. After her injury, Leah, a C5-6 complete quadriplegic, discovered a love of empowerment coaching for youth and mothers. She felt the need to help others because of what she learned after her injury (and she also became the owner of two Sphynx/hairless cats). Also giving a shout out to the amazing Rick Hansen Foundation, an organization that helps people with SCI in Canada and worldwide, Leah shares her life with us, including her harrowing injury story. Runtime is 32 minutes.

- Follow Leah B. Rose on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/leahb.rose/

In our interview with Scott W. Fedor, a C3 quadriplegic from Ohio, he shares the 5 most important life truths he's learned since breaking his neck in a diving accident 12 years ago. A non-sugar coater, Scott speaks from the soul, sharing awesome tips on how to deal with some of life's biggest blows. 

For more on Scott, including where to purchase his book, see the following links:

- Scott's book: Head Strong: How a Broken Neck Strengthened My Spirit (available on Amazon)

- Scott's nonprofit: Getting Back Up (https://www.gettingbackup.org/)

- Scott's website: ScottWFedor.com 

In our first episode of 2021, we speak with Ryan S. Atkins, a C3-4 quadriplegic from Cincinnati, Ohio (and Bengals fan) who was paralyzed in a car accident in 2009.  He has mastered the art of focusing on the here and now and how to balance the reality of being paralyzed and staying positive even he never walks again. Ryan has also published a book called One Step Closer where he shares this much-needed advice with the world.

During the show, Ryan also shares his memorable love story with his wife. They met when they were children and reunited after his injury <3

Check out his book here: ReadOneStepCloser.com

Check out his IG: @ryansatkins 

In Episode 29, Pt. II of Working After a Spinal Cord Injury,  we chat with Alex, a C4 quadriplegic from Miami injured in 2018, who still works as a real estate agent, and then we speak with Kenneth, a C5 quadriplegic from Colorado. Kenneth was a Walmart store manager for several years and now works for Colorado Cross Disability Coalition - ccdconline.org.

In Episode 29 and for October Disability Employment Awareness Month, we chat with César, a C4 quadriplegic from Tijuana, Mexico, who has his own online business, and we speak with Derek, a C5-6 quadriplegic from Mississippi, who has worked as a financial advisor and many other jobs during his 29 years post-injury.

- Check out César's store: https://www.redbubble.com/people/yannichingaz/shop?asc=u

- Check out César's article on becoming independent for Audacity Magazine: https://www.audacitymagazine.com/independently-dependent/