What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
What am I doing???? The scene is a little different from the free climbing of 5 years ago on these sandstone walls but it was sure nice to hang up high in them again! Anxiety was high during our two days at times because I can’t feel if I am scraping my knees or hips or ankles and how badly I surely am. Am I sitting to long causing a pressure sore? I did my best with knee pads, cushions and weight shifting but at times I wondered if it was worth the effort. Also. How the hell am I gonna pee and poop? Jeesh. “What am I doing?” The rest was big wall type-two fun and shenanigans—- communication, diligence to order of operations, sore body parts that haven’t been worked in ages, glorious views and amazing people. This wouldn’t have happened without the support, friendship and commitment of @sstratts @eeejayenn @steffangregory ❤️ 💪 🙏 💕 😊 @snakesaresmart @not_disabled and @timmyoneill @adidasterrex @blackdiamond @grade7equipment @ymcarockies @susantaylordarby I might have spent the last five years sitting but certainly not sitting still. Clipped and dangling to the side of a mountain, I still find this weird contentment—- it quells my insatiable need to multi-task, plan, brain chatter—- I do finally just sit. . . . . #2gimps1pimp #pullupsfordays . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability
The good ‘ol days. They are now. The hands of time are heavy and unpredictable. This game of life keeps reminding me that we should communicate our love and appreciation for one another often. #betrue . . . I personally struggle with balancing my sorrow, grief, pain and joys with the greater world. Just yesterday I was typing about missing running in the mountains and a phone call rang in that stopped me in my tracks. #perspective I shouldn’t dismiss what I am feeling and I shouldn’t wallow in it either. This injury has given me more space to share without shame or guilt as long as I know I am doing my best to learn, adapt and see peripherally. . . . Hold on tight to those that listen, laugh and love. It can vanish in a second. #keepitweird #love #fullmoon . . . . . . . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #protectpubliclands #nationalparks #summitsforall #wilderness #disability
A paralyzed girl walks into a bar…… #riddlemethis And after parking her wheelchair in a booth in the middle of a series of booths, transfers to sit her bum into the cushy bench seat. Empty wheelchair in still navigable aisle. There are 8-10 patrons sitting at the bar proper. The 6-8 booths are now all full and the 4 high top bar tables in between the bar and booths all unoccupied with 3 bar stools per table strewn around the tables disorganized. A waitress approached, “this can’t stay here (pointing to my legs aka wheelchair), it’s a fire hazard”. “Huh” I said taken off guard. “Then this establishment should be more accessible”. I mumbled. She retorted, clearly in a heightened state. #notlistening I reflect now and could have communicated more clearly, not matching her defensiveness. Today, The sassy part of me arrived and wishing to say…. “Okay, so your going to remove the paralyzed girls ‘legs’ to a back nook of the bar. And when the ‘raging 🔥 fire’ hits, as everyone rushes out of the building the two options for me are 1.) sit and pray? 🤭 2.) my date fights his way upstream to find my chair— ??— then flows seamlessly back to me and we both escape unscathed. 🧚♀️ Neither option makes reasonable sense. This is my first encounter with this type of miseducation and “rule” following in a pub. Of course I have experienced this shit on airlines and on trail. It’s maddening because it happens to my community over and over again. This is small potatoes but an example of the day-to-day constant 💩 We left the bar. It was easier. But I am tired of leaving the bar, shrugging as the TSA agent takes 40 minutes to get to me and pat me down —-#areyougoingtoinsertthatcatheter. ?? More so it’s demoralizing to feel like I am in the wrong for requesting simple dignity, respect and credibility. The joke #thework is unfortunately left to the minority to motivate to speak up, to fight. A helpful solution would Be if the majority could do better to educate ourselves and try harder to close the gap between responsibility and complacency. #tired #respect #IllBeYourFireHazard Image- brunette woman looks enthused, eyes open and mouth open as she sits.
#pairofplegics at it again 😝The last few science posts in my feed —- last one in particular —me drinking a beer, explain the injury to the spine and the nerves that it affects. Here is a real time video of the muscles @js_rolling has available to him vs the muscles I have available to me. This is to illustrate 2 things. 1- a gunshot wound vs my 120 fall off a mountain vs another’s slip in the shower will present differently. Even though we all damaged the same vertebrae, the spinal cord bruises and damages in millimeter nuances. 2– why research/science matters. If we can alter-fix- cure nerves to access a millimeter more—- it provides functional recovery and ability— independence and belonging. It is the difference an innumerable amount of tasks we take for granted or do without thought—- fingers being able to grasp a spoon or flushing a toilet. Legs being able squeeze/adduct/hold a soda with control while we wheel—- Being a river dance phenom 😇😉 Also, remember —- just like we all have different emotional needs or perspectives on life—- Not everyone with a disability or using a wheelchair suffers the same ailment or has the same experience or needs. Be curious. Be compassionate. Disability or not. We do not all think and act the same. . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #diving #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #science #sports #wilderness #disability #riverdance
Felt cute. Might delete later. #tourdivide . . . @adidasterrex #impossibleisnothing . . . . . . Image description: an adaptive mountain biker is stuck in a giant pool of thick mud on her three-wheeled hand cycle. Mountain peaks in background. . #climbing #rockclimbing #enduranceathlete #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #protectpubliclands #nationalparks #summitsforall #wilderness #disability
Cheers! Science time! Moving down, from our last science post, to the lumbar, sacral and coccyx sections of our spine. This region supports the upper parts of the spine—- all of our woes and ice cream weight, as well as bears the stress of lifting and carrying items. Lumbar vertebrae and nerves are L1 to L5, the nerves gives motion to our legs. L1 and L2 = Hip bending and flexing L3 = Knee straightening L4 = Bend foot upward L5 = Extended toe— point foot. Further down, the sacrum is the section located at the base of the spine. It does not have discs separating the vertebrae, its five levels, S1 to S5, are fused together. The pelvis is connected to the spinal column at the sacrum section. S1 = the hips and groin area S2 = the back of the thighs S3 = the medial buttock area- internal and external function of the anus and bladder S4 & S5 affect the perineal area (internal and external sexual function) Yup —given that SCIs severity is a spectrum means that peeing, pooping and sexual function individually are also on a spectrum of disappointing to unpredictable and beyond our voluntary control. Lastly, is The coccyx #whatdidyoucallme. at the very base of the spinal column and is made of four vertebrae that are fused together also. This nerve provide partial innervation (along with S5) to several pelvic organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, and prostate. Thanks for learning!
Cheers! Science time! Moving down, from our last science post, to the lumbar, sacral and coccyx sections of our spine. This region supports the upper parts of the spine—- all of our woes and ice cream weight, as well as bears the stress of lifting and carrying items. Lumbar vertebrae and nerves are L1 to L5, the nerves gives motion to our legs. L1 and L2 = Hip bending and flexing L3 = Knee straightening L4 = Bend foot upward L5 = Extended toe— point foot. Further down, the sacrum is the section located at the base of the spine. It does not have discs separating the vertebrae, its five levels, S1 to S5, are fused together. The pelvis is connected to the spinal column at the sacrum section. S1 = the hips and groin area S2 = the back of the thighs S3 = the medial buttock area- internal and external function of the anus and bladder S4 & S5 affect the perineal area (internal and external sexual function) Yup —given that SCIs severity is a spectrum means that peeing, pooping and sexual function individually are also on a spectrum of disappointing to unpredictable and beyond our voluntary control. Lastly, is The coccyx #whatdidyoucallme. at the very base of the spinal column and is made of four vertebrae that are fused together also. This nerve provide partial innervation (along with S5) to several pelvic organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, and prostate. Thanks for learning!
Cheers! Science time! Moving down, from our last science post, to the lumbar, sacral and coccyx sections of our spine. This region supports the upper parts of the spine—- all of our woes and ice cream weight, as well as bears the stress of lifting and carrying items. Lumbar vertebrae and nerves are L1 to L5, the nerves gives motion to our legs. L1 and L2 = Hip bending and flexing L3 = Knee straightening L4 = Bend foot upward L5 = Extended toe— point foot. Further down, the sacrum is the section located at the base of the spine. It does not have discs separating the vertebrae, its five levels, S1 to S5, are fused together. The pelvis is connected to the spinal column at the sacrum section. S1 = the hips and groin area S2 = the back of the thighs S3 = the medial buttock area- internal and external function of the anus and bladder S4 & S5 affect the perineal area (internal and external sexual function) Yup —given that SCIs severity is a spectrum means that peeing, pooping and sexual function individually are also on a spectrum of disappointing to unpredictable and beyond our voluntary control. Lastly, is The coccyx #whatdidyoucallme. at the very base of the spinal column and is made of four vertebrae that are fused together also. This nerve provide partial innervation (along with S5) to several pelvic organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, and prostate. Thanks for learning!
Cheers! Science time! Moving down, from our last science post, to the lumbar, sacral and coccyx sections of our spine. This region supports the upper parts of the spine—- all of our woes and ice cream weight, as well as bears the stress of lifting and carrying items. Lumbar vertebrae and nerves are L1 to L5, the nerves gives motion to our legs. L1 and L2 = Hip bending and flexing L3 = Knee straightening L4 = Bend foot upward L5 = Extended toe— point foot. Further down, the sacrum is the section located at the base of the spine. It does not have discs separating the vertebrae, its five levels, S1 to S5, are fused together. The pelvis is connected to the spinal column at the sacrum section. S1 = the hips and groin area S2 = the back of the thighs S3 = the medial buttock area- internal and external function of the anus and bladder S4 & S5 affect the perineal area (internal and external sexual function) Yup —given that SCIs severity is a spectrum means that peeing, pooping and sexual function individually are also on a spectrum of disappointing to unpredictable and beyond our voluntary control. Lastly, is The coccyx #whatdidyoucallme. at the very base of the spinal column and is made of four vertebrae that are fused together also. This nerve provide partial innervation (along with S5) to several pelvic organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, and prostate. Thanks for learning!
“Ordinarily, I go to the woods alone, with not a single friend, for they are all smilers and talkers and therefore unsuitable. I don’t really want to be witnessed talking to the catbirds or hugging the old black oak tree. I have my way of praying, as you no doubt have yours. Besides, when I am alone I can become invisible. I can sit on the top of a dune as motionless as an uprise of weeds, until the foxes run by unconcerned. I can hear the almost unhearable sound of the roses singing. If you have ever gone to the woods with me, I must love you very much.” Mary Oliver ~ Swan: Poems and Prose Poems . . . . Image description: a man on a two wheeled bike and a woman lower to the ground on a three wheeled hand-cycle are biking away on a gravel road surrounded by sunlit aspen trees. . . #climbing #rockclimbing #skiing #mountains #mountainbiking #trailrunning #running #roadbiking #crossfit #yoga #paragliding #outdoors #athlete #spinalcordinjury #spinalcordresearch #paralyzed #protectpubliclands #wilderness #nationalparks #handcycling
15-20 emails later. 10-15 actual phone calls with humans—- dozen more voicemails or just calls that just ring. I submitted a letter of “hardship”to our local post office—- a doctors note proving disability or need of mail delivery to my home. The post master was unpleasant and unresponsive 1- month later —crickets. @larimercounty @coloradodot @whitehouse #access #accessibility #education #adacompliant #not #equality #dailychores #simpleliving #somuchfuckingtime #snailmail
Young Quinn bringing you some Sunday science. Moving down the spinal column from our last post (paddle board headstand fail)—— where we talked about cervical spines. Today is the thoracic section of the spine. Thoracic spine has a great deal of mobility including flexion (bending forward), to pick up all those penny’s. Extension (bend backward) for all you flexible people pleaser. The Thoracic Spine accommodates my dad’s favorite morning stress stretch, a simple side to side rotation (twisting). It also is fairly protected and strong, compared to the cervical spine thanks to all them ribs and such. Your thoracic spine consists of 12 vertebrae numbered T1 to T12. Each number corresponds with the nerves in that section of your spinal cord, as well. These nerves branch off of your spinal cord and supply sensation (feeling) and movement to certain areas of your body. T1 and T2 nerves: These nerves go into the top of your chest and into your arms and hands. The T1 nerve is also part of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves in your shoulders that carries movement and sensory signals from your spinal cord to your arms and hands. T3 through T5 nerves: These nerves go into your chest wall. Together, these nerves help control your rib cage, lungs and diaphragm—— full functional breathing!!!! T6 through T12 nerves: These nerves affect your abdominal and back muscles. These nerves, along with certain muscles, help with balance and posture, and they help you cough. For reference. I shattered my T12 vertebra. There was some bruising a little upwards (and not noticeably downwards). I present as a T11 ASIA A injury with a little more sensation and minuscule muscle flicking on my right hip flexor. The sensation, for me, has moved down millimeters since my injury 5 years ago—— so if I live to be 598 I figure I might feel my big toe again — Science seems closer in a timeline than that— no joke. We are making progress! Thanks to y’all giving a little $ and care to the cause.
#SpinalCordInjuryAwarenessMonth #paddleboardheadstand 👊🏽 The spinal column is our central support structure and protects the spinal cord— our brains live wire to communicating with the rest of the body. The spine has 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine sections, and sacrum and coccyx bones. Compression or damage to the spinal cord can cause pain and/or neurological deficits anywhere below level of injury. Our cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae in the spine, C1 to C7, and is connected to the base of the skull. Damage to the cervical spine is more easily be sustained with a fraction of the forces that the rest of our spine can handle, due to the smaller bones and less protected location. Car accidents 🚗(severe whip lash) and diving injuries 💦 (hitting your head on the bottom of a shallow pool). C1 and C2 are unique in function and shape. (C1) is called the atlas and is ring-shaped attaching to the base of our skull. Atlas holds our head upright. The second (C2) vertebra is called axis, allowing for rotation of the head. Our Cervical Spine has 8 spinal nerves. C1, C2 and C3 control forward, backward, side head and neck movements., When you give a “what’s up” or “Nope, no way, never” shake sideways. C4 controls a shrugging shoulder and one of the nerves that controls our diaphragm (muscles that help us breathe). C4 also gives us sensation of a kiss on the neck and a mosquito 🦟 chomping our upper arm. C5 controls our deltoid muscle = raise your arms out to the side so TSA and pat you down and our biceps = flexion of the arm— curling that Colorado IPA up to your lips. 🍻 C6 provides sensation to your thumb while digging the bats out of the cave and controls your wrist and bicep to getting the perfect angle of attack in said job. 👃 C7 controls our triceps and wrist extensor muscles. Triceps = straightening our arms and pushing up out of the pool. Extensor muscles = tapping your hand to a beat. OOO it also gives sensation to the back of the arm into your middle 🖕 C8 controls our hands and gives us sensation to the pinky side of the hand forearm.
#SpinalCordInjuryAwarenessMonth #paddleboardheadstand 👊🏽 The spinal column is our central support structure and protects the spinal cord— our brains live wire to communicating with the rest of the body. The spine has 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine sections, and sacrum and coccyx bones. Compression or damage to the spinal cord can cause pain and/or neurological deficits anywhere below level of injury. Our cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae in the spine, C1 to C7, and is connected to the base of the skull. Damage to the cervical spine is more easily be sustained with a fraction of the forces that the rest of our spine can handle, due to the smaller bones and less protected location. Car accidents 🚗(severe whip lash) and diving injuries 💦 (hitting your head on the bottom of a shallow pool). C1 and C2 are unique in function and shape. (C1) is called the atlas and is ring-shaped attaching to the base of our skull. Atlas holds our head upright. The second (C2) vertebra is called axis, allowing for rotation of the head. Our Cervical Spine has 8 spinal nerves. C1, C2 and C3 control forward, backward, side head and neck movements., When you give a “what’s up” or “Nope, no way, never” shake sideways. C4 controls a shrugging shoulder and one of the nerves that controls our diaphragm (muscles that help us breathe). C4 also gives us sensation of a kiss on the neck and a mosquito 🦟 chomping our upper arm. C5 controls our deltoid muscle = raise your arms out to the side so TSA and pat you down and our biceps = flexion of the arm— curling that Colorado IPA up to your lips. 🍻 C6 provides sensation to your thumb while digging the bats out of the cave and controls your wrist and bicep to getting the perfect angle of attack in said job. 👃 C7 controls our triceps and wrist extensor muscles. Triceps = straightening our arms and pushing up out of the pool. Extensor muscles = tapping your hand to a beat. OOO it also gives sensation to the back of the arm into your middle 🖕 C8 controls our hands and gives us sensation to the pinky side of the hand forearm.
#SpinalCordInjuryAwarenessMonth #paddleboardheadstand 👊🏽 The spinal column is our central support structure and protects the spinal cord— our brains live wire to communicating with the rest of the body. The spine has 33 bones, called vertebrae, divided into five sections: cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine sections, and sacrum and coccyx bones. Compression or damage to the spinal cord can cause pain and/or neurological deficits anywhere below level of injury. Our cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae in the spine, C1 to C7, and is connected to the base of the skull. Damage to the cervical spine is more easily be sustained with a fraction of the forces that the rest of our spine can handle, due to the smaller bones and less protected location. Car accidents 🚗(severe whip lash) and diving injuries 💦 (hitting your head on the bottom of a shallow pool). C1 and C2 are unique in function and shape. (C1) is called the atlas and is ring-shaped attaching to the base of our skull. Atlas holds our head upright. The second (C2) vertebra is called axis, allowing for rotation of the head. Our Cervical Spine has 8 spinal nerves. C1, C2 and C3 control forward, backward, side head and neck movements., When you give a “what’s up” or “Nope, no way, never” shake sideways. C4 controls a shrugging shoulder and one of the nerves that controls our diaphragm (muscles that help us breathe). C4 also gives us sensation of a kiss on the neck and a mosquito 🦟 chomping our upper arm. C5 controls our deltoid muscle = raise your arms out to the side so TSA and pat you down and our biceps = flexion of the arm— curling that Colorado IPA up to your lips. 🍻 C6 provides sensation to your thumb while digging the bats out of the cave and controls your wrist and bicep to getting the perfect angle of attack in said job. 👃 C7 controls our triceps and wrist extensor muscles. Triceps = straightening our arms and pushing up out of the pool. Extensor muscles = tapping your hand to a beat. OOO it also gives sensation to the back of the arm into your middle 🖕 C8 controls our hands and gives us sensation to the pinky side of the hand forearm.
swinging in one last #sciawarenessmonth . Many of you were along for the wild ride of emotions following my injury. My personal experience and reflection easily point to individuals being paralyzed physically, yes, but also mentally emotionally financially and spiritually Spinal cord injury facts; 6 percent of people w/ an SCI have an opportunity to enroll in spinal cord injury specific rehab centers (like @craighospital where I went or @spauldingrehab @shepherdcenter ). Average days in rehab facilities 1978 = 98 2018 = 34 2022 = 27 Those without rehab = Here is your wheelchair, have a nice life. 🤮 what life?? Barriers are abound beyond simply returning our vitals within normal limits!!! We need neuro specific rehab—- relearning to navigate this physically inaccessible world without the use of legs, fingers or internal organs and their regulatory function. Learning on the fly (under duress no less) about insurance limitations and the pain staking time on the phone with inconsistent answers. There are caregiver issues —- no-shows, robbery and mistreatment from the people sticking a finger in our ass to help us poop. Oh, transportation nightmares— unable to drive, community ride systems still inaccessible or non-existent. Last, hardly least, financial burdens of trying to return to work, or trying to remodel a home so it can accommodate our new bodies to not just live but to thrive. SCI is not alone. It is just my first hand shit show of an experience. Traumatic brain injury, the onslaught of neurological disorders, cancer, child miscarriage —-you name it— all of these are more complicated than the medical aspects. Our healthcare is lacking as a comprehensive system. There are psychology and social aspects, reintegration into your community. Necessary support to navigate these horrendous and complex medical system. And of course the necessity of community to educate and to lean on one another for lived experiences and mentorship. I guess I just wish for us all to participate with one another more. Have compassion for why the lady in the post office is so angry—- Moreso to participate in the process. We are The voices of change. 😚🍨🙌🏽🦾🫵🏾
