CAB Category: What I Wish I Knew in Early Diagnosis

  • Josh’s Perspective

    From Joshs Perspective: A man in a suit uses a power wheelchair and smiles at the camera. In the background, he is with a woman and a baby in a car seat, all smiling as he moves his wheelchair along a sunny street.

    During the Summer of 2004, my life was flipped upside down when a wave slammed me headfirst against the ocean floor. That day I shattered my neck and became a C4-5 Quadriplegic paralyzed below my shoulders and a power wheelchair user. If I could go back in time, I would tell my 18-year-old self as…

  • Kent’s Perspective

    A man in a suit and striped tie, seated in a wheelchair, smiles during an event. Behind him is a display with photos and the message: YOU DONT HAVE TO STAND UP TO STAND OUT!—capturing Kents Perspective.

    Unlike many guys, my midlife crisis did not involve a red corvette, but at age 48, I did opt for a midnight blue power wheelchair, complete with a tilt function to help me breathe easier. You see a fall in my basement injured my C-3, C-4 vertebra.   At least my spinal cord was not severed…

  • Paul’s Perspective

    A man in a suit and jeans sits in a power wheelchair, superimposed over a faded background showing two men in wheelchairs and Paul Amadeus Lane on a chair in front of a PlayStation sign, offering a unique perspective.

    To my younger self I would say; I know right now you’re probably feeling like your world has been turned upside down. It’s overwhelming, terrifying, and you may feel like there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. But trust me, there is. You will find a way to not just survive, but thrive.…

  • Tae’s Perspective

    A stylish woman in a polka dot dress and white hat smiles while sitting in a wheelchair. Behind her, a semi-transparent image offers another perspective of Tae McKenzie outdoors near a modern building.

    For me, it’s the importance of patience with oneself. Healing, adapting, and learning new ways of navigating life takes time. It’s easy to become frustrated or discouraged, but understanding true strength comes from giving yourself grace. Know that it’s okay to move at your own pace and seek help when needed it’s okay to redefine…