My Life As A Paraplegic 

I am a paraplegic and have been since an automobile accident in December of 1977.  Since then I have learned not only how to survive but prosper.

I assume that you found this site on the Internet because you are looking for connection with the disabled community, specifically paraplegia.  For some time, I have wanted to share my experiences with others, mostly the recently disabled, in the hope of smoothing their transition to post-injury life.  It is my opinion that some of the so-called experts, who make their living from assisting the disabled, don’t have a clue how to really help (of course, there are always exceptions) and the press depicts SCI as being a battle of their personal will power to walk (They’re really missing the whole point and are ignorant of the breadth of symptoms) versus continuing impairment – its NOT!

On these pages, you will find out about me, my limitations, my hobbies and health.  Also you will learn about some of the tools and adaptations that I use to make my life easier and more fulfilling.  One central idea that I can’t overemphasize is to never make your life dependent on too many adaptations.  Doing so will greatly limit you in surviving in the real world, which is still a hostile place for wheelchairs, and I believe it will remain so.

As you explore this site you may be struck by its positive and optimistic tone.  I don’t mention regrets.  In reality, I have all sorts of regrets – from being a jerk as a teenager, to not wearing a seat belt, and to actions that have damaged friendships even though those actions seemed reasonable at the time.  I guess to some degree aging mellows a person and allows time to reflect.  But ultimately spending much time on those long ago mistakes isn’t productive.  I try not to repeat them today.

Navigation of this site is easy.  Click the desired button at the top-right of any page to go to a main section: Biography, Paraplegic, Pursuits.  Sub-menus, if any, appear near the top-left of a page.  Underlined words or phrases indicate a clickable hyperlink for additional information.  Or alternatively, click Next at the bottom of each page.  If you start with this home page, clicking Next “walks” you through the site in a coherent, orderly manner. . . hopefully!

I use pictures more than words following the old proverb “a picture is worth a thousand words.”  Take time to look carefully at each Picture Gallery.  By the way, you can click a photo to display its full-size image.

All the opinions expressed herein are my own – PERIOD!  Are my methods the best way or even the safest way to solve a problem?  Who knows.  Should you decide to make use of any of them, the risk is entirely yours as I don’t recommend or provide any warranty or guarantee.  However, everything on this website either happened directly to me or is in use by me.  If you find this website helpful, great!

If you want to ask a question, please send me an e-mail at webmaster.