Reeve Foundation Paralysis Community

Ironic maybe, but the other day, I wrote about my depiction of curling. (Now that I think about it - curling can also be 'curling' your hair! Hmm...) I later had the pleasure of speaking with Jacqui Kapinowski. Okay, so you may be thinking, 'Well, who's that?' Jacqui is a New Jersey native and is part of the USA Paralympic Curling Team! As the only female on the team, she is "hungry" to bring home the gold!

I just received an email from Jacqui with some information I must share.

First, in case you are wondering what events are taking place when, here is the schedule.
And second, what I think is even more exciting - a place to watch the Games!
You can follow the live coverage here!
Highlights and other Paralympic news can be seen here!

(PS -- take a  look at today's Daily Dose post. You'll never guess what Rob wrote about... curling!)

Happy curling everyone! (Whether it's on ice, in the gym, or with your hair!)

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Janelle

We've all done homework right? Solving multiplication facts in third grade, reading Romeo & Juliet in tenth grade... or in my case, doing some research on the Paralympic Games that begin in just four days. Granted I don't get one of those awesome "star" stickers like I did in school, but in any case, this is fun homework.

Take a look at the US Paralympic website. Better yet, don't just take a look at it, do some research, some homework, and be the cool kid in school that knows all about a different subject! There's everything from both the Summer and Winter games, events, photos, videos, biographies of the athletes, even information related to the military.  

Go on, be that cool kid, do your homework, and give yourself a star sticker!
Reply back and let us know all about your Paralympic homework! (Hey, it's better than multiplication!)

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Janelle

Let the Paralympic Games begin! Tomorrow is the opening ceremony of the games. Take a look at the rest of the schedule and events through March 21.

I've been wondering, aside from watching it online, if there would be any broadcast of the games on television. Luckily, I just discovered that on Tuesday, NBC announced they will broadcasting highlights of the Paralympics.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. and NEW YORK – March 9, 2010 – NBC Sports and Universal Sports announced today the multiplatform broadcast coverage of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games presented by GE. Coverage on NBC Sports will include a one-hour program recapping the Opening Ceremony on Saturday, March 13 (1-2 p.m. ET) and a two-hour highlights program on Saturday, April 10 (3-5 p.m. ET).

In addition to the coverage on NBC Sports, Universal Sports will broadcast a nightly two-hour show for nine straight nights dedicated to the daily competition of the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games starting on Monday, March 15 at 6 p.m. ET (re-air at 11 p.m. ET) and continuing nightly through Tuesday, March 23.

Read the rest.

Personally, now that I have had the opportunity to speak with her, I am actually quite excited to see Jacqui Kapinowski and the rest of the USA Curling Team in action!

Reply back and let us know your thoughts on the coverage of the Games!

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Janelle

I was just on Yahoo and noticed the 5th most common trend so far today is the "Paralympic Games." The latest news on Yahoo covered the opening ceremony, which took place last night, with the actual events kicking off today. (Picture retrieved from Yahoo News.)


Sitting here in northern New Jersey, as I look out my window, it is pouring rain. Though it is messy, I like the rain! On days like today, it is always nice to just kick back at home. So I shall be kicking back and following some of the coverage of the Paralympic Games live online!

(A quick side note - I just found out my best friend had met Christopher Reeve back when she was in 5th grade at a horse riding event! Take a look at our A-Z fact sheet on therapeutic riding!)

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Janelle

I hate it when you are with a group of people in chairs and someone makes an ignorant comment.  It's usually a comment about racing one another.  Also, when my friend and I, both in chairs, were in college and waiting to take the elevator down to the dining hall level, a woman looked at us and asked us if there was a convention in town.

It's true when they say 'pictures are worth a thousand words.'
I just received a handful of pictures from Jacqui Kapinowski of her and some of her teammates on the USA wheelchair curling Paralympic team. The team is now 4-1 in the round robin standings beating Italy and Great Britain yesterday. (Photo at right from Getty Images North America. Click here to view more photos.)

Click here to check out the latest news and photos from all the USA Paralympic teams; including the undefeated sled hockey team!

Take a look here for all other coverage of the 2010 Paralympics games for all the countries and events; including the most current medal counts, news, and videos!

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Janelle

The weather is warming up a bit here in New Jersey, but that doesn't mean I have forgotten about the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games. Even though I read the newspaper every morning, there's not much coverage of the Games in print, but there sure is a ton online!

One of my favorite sections on the homepage of the US Paralympic Team is the 'Athlete Spotlight.' It gives you a chance to read a mini bio on featured players and learn about how they got to where they are now. (And speaking of US teams, Jacqui Kapinowski and the US Curling Team are 6-2 and clinched a semi-finals birth!)

The photos featured on the official Paralympic Games website are pretty remarkable. There is just something about these action photos that almost pulls you right there into the sport.

And take a look at today's Daily Dose about BlazeSports Worldwide and their coverage of the Games.

Happy reading everyone!
Be sure to reply back with your favorite parts of the websites!

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Janelle

As the 2010 Winter Paralympics continue on through tomorrow, I'm hoping I'm not the only one who has been inspired by the athletes and their successes. The sports were engaging and the athletes were dedicated. All of the Paralympic athletes, with events in alpine skiing, cross country skiing, ice sledge hockey, wheelchair curling, and a biathlon, put it all on the line to bring a medal back to their countries.

For those disabled athletes who enjoy sports, but may not want to compete, there are tons of opportunities in your area. I received an email from our Quality of Life Grants Director, Donna, about a great deal of adaptive sports programs in the Wisconsin area. One program really caught my eye. A Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants recipient, Central Cross Country Ski Association (CXC) is starting a disabled ski program that is both free and accessible for disabled users. So if you're looking for something fun and free, check out the program on CXC's website!

And don't forget, as the 2010 Paralympic Games wrap up and come to close, you can watch all the action live here!

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Janelle

Continuing on with my love of sports, I realized that college basketball is in full swing. March Madness anyone?

The Reeve Foundation has given Quality of Life Grants to numerous wheelchair basketball teams and programs all over the country. We recently found out that grant recipient, the All Heart Tornadoes out of Pembroke, North Carolina, rank number four in the nation. They will be going on to compete for the National Title in Denver beginning April 7.

This is one tornado I'd like to see!

Check out the Sports and Competition Fact Sheet from the Reeve Foundation's Paralysis Resource Center. It lists everything from basketball and football to fishing and horseback riding.

Let us know what kinds of wheelchair activities and sports you've participated in!

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Janelle

Last night, I went to the New York Rangers vs. New Jersey Devils hockey game. Besides the fact that I was thrilled the Rangers came out with a big win in a shootout/overtime with the final score being 3-2, it was the first time I attended a Rangers game since working with the Foundation. Though I am a life-long Rangers fan, it brought on new meaning last night.

At the game, I thought of how big of a fan Christopher Reeve was of the Rangers and then some thoughts flooded my mind.


- In 2006, Dana Reeve beautifully sang 'Now and Forever' at Mark Messier Night during a Rangers game. Take a look at the video. Be sure to watch through the end, it very well might pull at some heart strings!
- At the Foundation's 2008 A Magical Evening event, former Rangers greats Brian Leetch and Mike Richter were presented with the Dana Reeve HOPE award.

"True Blue!"

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Janelle

It's April 1st (Happy April Fools Day, by the way!), the sun is shining, and the warm weather is here! It's time to pack up those bulky winter sweaters and get ready for your spring clothes!

In our 2009 Holiday Gift Guide for People in Wheelchairs, we featured products from Versa AccessWear, a clothing line for women with limited physical mobility. They are also listed on the Reeve Foundation's Shop for a Cure page. Portions of proceeds of the sales from the products listed are donated to the Reeve Foundation!

Also on the Shop for a Cure page is Graffi*tee Studios. They created the One Degree of Separation Chari*tee (pictured at right) based on a recent prevalence study initiated by the Reeve Foundation. One Degree of Separation: Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury in the United States cites nearly 1 in 50 individuals are living with paralysis.

So go on, splurge a little, and shop for the Reeve Foundation!

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Janelle

What does the summertime mean to you?

Summertime means something different to everyone. But one pretty common theme is summer getaways or vacations. There is something about that peak time (say end of May - mid September) of the year where vacationers take flight all over the world. Just this morning actually, I read a story citing the likeliness of more travel during this coming summer. (I took this picture when I traveled to Miami back in October... talk about a great vacation destination!)

I will soon begin to work on a new piece about vacationing in a wheelchair. So please share your favorite destinations! Have certain destinations been more accommodating? Have you traveled internationally and nationally? How about a cruise? Did you go sightseeing?

Let us know your favorite summer vacation spots!

By the way, if you are looking to travel this summer, take a look at our Travel Fact Sheet. It lists everything from wheelchair accessible hotels, air carriers, and buses to destinations around the US and all over the world.

Happy traveling!

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Janelle

Having been studying dance for 20 years, the creativity and originality of it all constantly surprises me. So when I came across a piece about The Top Five Integrated Wheelchair Dance Sport Organizations, I was immediately drawn in.

American Dance Wheels Foundation Inc., Dancing Wheels Company & School, AXIS Dance Company, Infinity Dance Theater, and Full Radius Dance, pair wheelchair users with able-bodied dancers. The first four are also previous Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant recipients! This is what I call creativity at its best.

So you think they can dance? Oh, you bet they can!

And speaking of dance, read up on a dance workshop for people living with disabilities happening next weekend in New York.

Shake your groove thing everyone! Shake on!

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Janelle

This week is Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Week. We celebrate so many other wonderful holidays to honor our country throughout the year -- Memorial Day, Independence Day, even Flag Day! -- so this one gives us a whole week to honor those who have been seriously injured while serving our country. (Picture from www.pva.org)

This year in particular, "Paralyzed Veterans' Awareness Week 2010 will highlight the unique challenges facing veterans with spinal cord injury/dysfunction..." Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Week goes through this Saturday. Click here to find an event happening in your area!

Take a look at the Paralyzed Veterans of America website. They provide a great deal of information about services, rights, sports to participate in, and much more.

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Janelle

I wrote a few weeks back about a great quotation from the book, The Blind Side. I found that to be inspirational, and now I came across a 20-year-old from California living with SCI who was inspired by the film Friday Night Lights. (PS: It is also a book - I read it a few years ago before I ever saw the movie.)

On July 26, 2007, Hal Hargrave’s life changed forever. Hargrave, who had recently graduated from Claremont High School in California, was driving a truck to Las Vegas, Nev., when he saw something black — a tire tread — in the middle of the road. Swerving to avoid the object, he lost control of the truck. It rolled four times, and Hargrave was trapped in the crushed cab for 40 minutes waiting for emergency personnel to cut him out of the vehicle.

The film “Friday Night Lights” had been an inspiration to him since he first saw it. Hargrave and his friends lined up the day the film opened in their town, eager to see the show.

From then on the movie and the moment when Permian High School coach Gary Gaines — played by Billy Bob Thorton in the movie — encouraged his high school football team by telling them to “be perfect.”

Read the rest of Hargrave's uplifting story.

Oh yea, and if you get the chance, I highly recommend reading both books! (Pictures of books at right from www.barnesandnoble.com). Or at least see the movies! Both are true stories about football greatness, but leave you appreciating a lot more than just the game.

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Janelle