Match Made in Heaven -Disability & Online Dating
My latest Blog for RollingwithoutLimits
Author Archives: Tara Richardson
Herbalife!! Bring it On!!
The reason I decided to try Herbalife is because I want to be healthy and my diet, although not bad, wasn’t great. I want to feel amazing, I’m exhausted every day. My disability requires a lot of energy for me to do daily tasks and I just run out of energy way sooner then I should.
Pushing a wheelchair all day may sound easy, but it’s not — you have to be strong. Think about it, add your weight plus the weight of a wheelchair and that’s what you are pushing. My wheelchair’s about 17 pounds and I’m about 85 pounds.
So you see it’s not about weight for me; it’s all about feeling better and gaining strength to be strong and independent. World domination, eh did I say that? No, I mean my health domination journey. To empower myself, so I can inspire, empower someone else who is like me struggling to get through the day. I’m also hoping that my chronic pain will vanish; I hate taking medicine.
I’m relaxing this morning sipping on the most delicious tea ever that gives me energy. I only purchased a small one, and I see that I will have to buy the bigger one ASAP. I haven’t done the shake yet because my mentor says I need to do the tea first in the morning.
I do see a difference in energy when I drink the tea, and it lasts without a crash. The best part is it’s healthy, and that is always a good thing.
I am a little nervous about trying the shake because I’m fussy when it comes to eating/drinking, plus I don’t have any more soy almond milk and will be using water until I can get to the store. The shakes are meal replacements, and I will have two shakes a day with plenty of water to drink plus my yummy tea.
I have an uphill battle; I hear next week she, “The Mentor,” will be sending workout videos for me to do. She’s a kick butt kind of chick and a little scary as far as balls to the walls’ workout; she’s perfect to get my butt in shape. This is a good combination of fear and admiration.
Tiffany won’t give me a break because of my gimpy status, which is awesome and frightening at the same time. I am in for a wild ride. I can’t think of anyone better for this job, seriously!
I am done with my tea and ready for my shake. And to be honest, the shake is okay, not too bad. I know it will be much better with almond soy milk and more fruit. I love to cook, so I’ll be able to fix it up even better given time. The great thing is I can drink it like this for now, which is phenomenal because like I said, I’m very picky. Until I get used to it, I am also drinking water, which helps me get used to the shake.
You know what is strange? Since I drank my first glass of tea, I haven’t craved coke like I did before drinking it. I hope it stays that way, , because I am trying to avoid osteoporosis, which isn’t easy for someone who doesn’t walk to get. I already have Osteopenia which I am trying to reverse, so I don’t have to be on medicine or worry about my bones snapping in two.
1st Man Born with a Disability Received Black Belt in Ohio Childhood Dream Comes True
When you think of someone who’s a Black Belt, you think of someone who can walk.
Paul Brailer uses a wheelchair, braces and sometimes crutches for optimal mobility. Having been born with Spina Bifida, Paul has been overcoming challenges his whole life, such as getting out of braces that went up to his chest and moving from a walker to crutches.
The new mobility he acquired when the old braces came off surely changed Paul’s life forever. He had been free from the shackles; they were hot and uncomfortable, his legs locked so he had to hop around.
Only now he had to learn how to move his legs independently and use his new handy dandy crutches; they send shivers down my spine; I have tried them, and they are very hard to walk with. I give him props, because he not only handles them; he mastered them. He spent time in and out of the hospital as a child/teen.
What sparked this amazing transformation of health, fitness and Karate after 20-some years? Paul’s dad passed away. They were incredibly close, and when the police suspected he might have been murdered, Paul decided that he had to think about safety and thought about getting a conceal to carry permit. Not sure if that would be the best idea, he put the decision on hold for a while.
Paul had been mugged shortly after starting karate class. While wheeling down the street, the mugger tried to steal his cell phone but Paul grabbed his arm and bent it back and the attacker not only dropped the cell phone, but he also fled from the scene. Paul said he could hear a bone snap and figured he had broken the mugger’s wrist.
Paul fought off the attacker with techniques he learned in karate class. After that, Paul finally decided to buy his gun and had gotten a conceal carry permit.
Although being a Black Belt has been a very important goal, which he achieved February 16, 2012, the focus on his life now is helping others get fit and be safe.
Paul thought about his physically disabled friends who could never fight off an attacker and set out to create Criptaedo. He modifies moves so that everyone has a chance to learn self-defense. He does the same for karate moves. Kids are drawn to him and cannot seem to get enough of their “Criptaedo – Roll Model.”
You will find a variety of information on the Criptaedo website and the Criptaedo You Tube Channel.
Don’t hesitate to friend him on Facebook or twitter. Paul says Karate changed his life, now he has confidence in his own abilities. Paul is available for public speaking engagements.
Rachelle Friedman Continues to Inspire Those Around Her Paralysis Hasn’t Stopped Me
I watched, as America seemed astonished that Chris Chapman never wavered in his love for Rachelle still wanting to marry the woman of his dreams as if nothing had happened.
Rachelle is a C6 quadriplegic that deals with chronic pain daily. Rachelle had been accidentally pushed into a pool at her bachelorette party. That day changed Rachelle and Chris’s life forever.
The simple fact is Chris loves Rachelle for the amazing woman she has always been. Now having a physical disability did not diminish who Rachelle has always been. A spunky, firecracker who never gives up. It didn’t take away the years of love they have shared before her tragic accident. As each day passes, they fall deeper in love. Rachelle told me that Chris never leaves the house without kissing her.
Rachelle wanted to thank “Walking with Anthony” an organization that helped pay for her therapy at “Project Walk.” “Project Walk” is a revolutionary new way of working with those who suffer from paralysis to regain as much mobility as possible. It has been effective in helping her gain strength; she began using her arms, which has aided in making Rachelle more independent then she would have been before the grueling therapy sessions.
Rachelle continues improving her core strength with the help of an adaptive cross fit program; she diligently works out 3-4 times a week, and she is currently representing “WHEELSTRONG” and will be doing some adapted fitness videos for their site.
I have been fortunate enough to have become friends with Rachelle since her accident. I am in awe of her tenacity; she never complains and continues to do the things she loves. Rachelle has written a book about her accident; it will be out in the spring. She loves children and plans on writing a children’s book. She loves playing wheelchair rugby for the Raleigh Sidewinders, surfing with LRO (Life Rolls On). Rachelle has achieved her goal of driving since her accident, which she is very proud of.
Rachelle and Chris enjoy spending time together; they especially love handcycling. It’s fun and therapeutic. I suspect that their next big adventure will be having a baby in a few years. You can keep an eye on Rachelle and Chris’s journey on Facebook.
Pain & Blessings *Poetry*
Unrelenting, burning, stabbing pain washes over me like a fire storm
Slowly moving over my body making it hard to see all the blessings before me
Each day I struggle to find new reasons why I should spend another day in this body that betrays me
Some days it’s music or my muse…
It never fails; I always seem to find blessings to make every day worth getting up for.
I draw strength from those that came before me. Women I respect and admire who are all artists like me. All with challenges that stand with me on this ever-changing life we lead.
When I think about my blessings, I am what I’ve always wanted to be.
An artist like my mother and grandfather, you see…
It’s my gift my survival my identity.
It brings me joy and for a moment, I am free from this pain that consumes me with very painting, writing or poem brings a heighten awareness of what a wonderfully complicated life I lead.
Faded Memories *Poetry*
You once were the strongest man I ever knew…
You took care of us no matter what you had to do…
Three jobs… Working at night …
Whatever it took to make sure we were alright…
Now your memories are slipping away…
I still can’t believe this is happening to you…
Faded memories of me and u…
Sometimes for a second I see a moment of recognition…
I love you Dad, I hope you knew …
I would have done anything for you…
Lived in fear of a day that you would no longer remember me,
hovered over me like a nightmare. I could hardly bear it…
The sadness surrounded my days and crept into my dreams…
Every day you faded away right before my eyes…
You left before I could even say good-bye…
I will remember all the things you taught me…
I’ll share everything I know…
All the while keeping your memory alive and well…
Birds as Service Animals? Why Not?
Birds as Service Animals? Why Not?
My latest Blog for RollingwithoutLimits
Utterly Devoted 