Hero Speaker Inspires
We were honored to have Mr. Smith as a a guest speaker.
Greg Smith Speaks at Disability Connection’s 2013 Disability Awareness Health Fair
“My Greatest Health Challenge”
Read More about Greg at : www.thestrengthcoach.com
Hero Teammates
“Eric Hernandez dreamed of playing football and scoring a touchdown.
Gateway (Aurora, Colo.) head coach Ashour Peera wanted to help Hernandez fulfill his dream, but he would have to work for it.
“I wanted to help bring his dream to fruition, but I told him he couldn’t play if he didn’t practice with us,” Peera told MaxPreps.”
– via MaxPreps.com
Hero Olympians Continue to Give Back
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Hero Model Follows Dreams
Dreams are beautiful things. You can do most anything that you believe that you can do.
Here is yet another shining star among examples of bright youngsters with disabilities believing and achieving.
This is a beautiful story that you will want to share with your friends and family.
Karrie Brown, with the help of her totally awesome Momma, is now on her way to becoming a model.
Full story Via ABC News and Yahoo
“Every day Sue would post a picture of Karrie in her favorite Wet Seal outfits — pieces that Karrie said make her “fit in while standing out” — hoping that they would attract the company’s eye.”
“She immediately caught our attention,” Wet Seal’s Yasmin Ezaby told ABC News. “We then asked our fans to get Karrie’s Facebook page to 10k likes and we would give her the trip of a lifetime. She exceeded this goal in two days.”
In fact, as of Saturday, the page is now up to nearly double that number of “likes.”
Wet Seal honored its pledge and flew Karrie and Sue on an all-expenses paid trip from their home in Collinsville, Ill., to Los Angeles, throwing in a trip to Disneyland along the way.
Although Wet Seal runs an annual model search competition, it was the first time the company had done a special challenge focused on one individual.”
Hero Director Shares His Story
“When I Walk” is COMING TO THEATERS OCTOBER 25!
“In 2006, 25-year-old Jason DaSilva was on vacation at the beach with family when, suddenly, he fell down. He couldn’t get back up. His legs had stopped working; his disease could no longer be ignored. Just a few months earlier doctors had told him that he had multiple sclerosis, which could lead to loss of vision and muscle control, as well as a myriad of other complications. Jason tried exercise to help cope, but the problem only worsened. After his dispiriting fall on the beach, he turned to his
Mom, who reminded him that, despite his disease, he was still a fortunate kid who had the opportunity to pursue the things he loved most: art and filmmaking. Jason picked up the camera, turned it on his declining body, and set out on a worldwide journey in search of healing, self-discovery, and love.
An emotional documentary filled with unexpected moments of humor and joy, WHEN I WALK is a life-affirming film driven by a young man’s determination to survive—and to make sense of a devastating disease through the art of cinema.”
Visit Jason’s YouTube page to watch more video clips.
A Hero in Memory — Jon Eric O’Connor
A hero is gone but never forgotten. Jon O’Conner lived an honorable life and will be missed by many. For those that knew him, he was
“always the most gentle voice in the room — that didn’t mean he backed down or took a back seat –but it had the consequence of him being heard. He cared — he told the truth — he made everyone laugh and feel comfortable.”
Jon was injured in an accidental fall 12 years ago. After his accident he became a “beacon of hope” for all those facing challenges. When asked about his motto he would enthusiastically reply: “It’s Go Forward!”
We invite you to read more about Jon in a letter composed by Peter Wilderotter, President and CEO of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Jon “devoted himself … to improving the lives of everyone living with paralysis” and will always be a hero.
A Blind Lifter
39-year old blind DC-resident Pat Leahy is pursuing his bodybuilding dreams.
About Pat Leahy
via BlindLifter.com
It takes strength, courage, and dedication to compete in bodybuilding. It takes an extraordinary person to compete blind. Nothing can stop award-winning 39-year old blind DC-resident Pat Leahy from pursuing his bodybuilding dreams.
“Blind Lifter” is an upcoming documentary about Pat that will inspire its audience to go for their dreams. The documentary will be released later this fall.
On May 4, 2013, Pat competed in the Organization of Competitive Bodybuilder’s Atlantic Super Show competition held in Richmond, VA, knowing full well that previous injuries could flare mid-performance and permanently affect his future athletic endeavors.
Pat is not competing against other blind bodybuilders. Pat is competing in a field of sighted competitors.
Pat’s sight loss has presented him with trials, but it does not define him. Professionally, his career encompasses service under Members of Congress, a Cabinet Secretary, and currently the U.S. federal government. Academically, Pat graduated with honors from Millersville University in 1997, with majors in both Political Science and History. He is also a future MBA student. During his free time, Pat enjoys helping our nation’s wounded warriors, swimming, reading, and being an avid baseball fan. Additionally, he has a guide dog named Galahad, who is a five-year old yellow Labrador.
– Read More about his Pat and his new documentary entitled “Blind Lifter”
A Person Can Have a Disability without Being a Disabled Person
My Point of View; Truth
“What’s the difference between “having a disability” and “being disabled”? It all comes down to two sociological theories: the medical/individual model of disability and the social model of disability,”says Lisa Egan at XOJane.com .
Lisa’s latest article discusses the medical vs. social views of disability.
Hero Adaptive Athlete Breaks Barriers
CNN -Working out can be hard for someone with a disability, but a woman with cerebral palsy has not let that stop her from becoming a CrossFit trainer.
Watch her inspirational story as told by CNN.