My Unexpected Journey

I WENT SURFING I REPEAT I WENT SURFING want proof?  boom. proof. and I didn't just go once, I went TWICE (insert surprised face emoji) It wasn't easy though! Not only did it take a lot of help (7-8 people), it was really hard keeping my head and chest up. C5-C6 SCI (my injury level) effects your trunk muscles and arm muscles. This makes laying on my belly and holding my head up very difficult. Keeping my elbows tucked under my shoulders helps, but with the regular long board, my elbows kept sliding out! Sooooo for the second night of surfing my brother fixed the board accordingly. He pulled a Red Green move and used duct tape  (if you've never seen that show then i'm sorry- go watch it!!!) The picture above shows pool noodles taped on the sides and the middle. The side noodles stopped my elbows from sliding and the middle section supported my chest. After he was done taping and taping and taping and taping and tapi...

Since my accident, three years ago, I have been able to travel multiple times. This past week my family and I got to go to California, which is now the farthest trip I have done. It was so much fun getting to see family and enjoy the weather but being in a wheelchair and traveling is not the best combination. There are twice as many obstacles in your way and stress added on top of that but if there is a will there is a way. And I have a whole lot of will. To make this easier to read I’m going to do sections on each main obstacle I had to overcome and the tips to overcome it. Keep in mind I was with my parents the whole time so they helped me a lot. The obstacle of flying in an airplane- This is my first time getting to travel by plane, post-accident so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fortunately, I have a good friend who is very experienced in using a wheelchair and traveling. I evaluated our traveling experience and gathered up some tips. What to expect at the security ch...

HEY!!!  So happy you landed on my page!! I know I haven't posted on my blog in awhile (I'll get better at that) but I wanted to show you guys my most recent drawing projects! I love art and the fact that I can do it 98% independently makes me love it even more. I can't thank the Lord enough for blessing me with an amazing family, community, and providing me the ability to draw even with my disabilities.  PLEASE CHECK THEM OUT :) Above was my first commissioned project, saw hello to Augie!  8x10 This is my sweet cousin, Eleanor! 8x10 All are done in pencil THANK YOU SO MUCH (please subscribe!!)

This past weekend I got to go bowling! Turns out they have a metal slide that little kids and handicapped folks can use! You may have already known that but I didn't until a friend told me. It was very easy to use and I was able to move it around easily.    My parents set the ball on top, then I pushed it down as hard as I could I took my good friend Aaron with me. He is on the Special Olympics bowling team....yes, he beat me! Once in awhile he used the slide too! Bowling was A LOT of fun! This wont be the last time I go!

I've always been really into art and drawing but after my accident i lost all of my ability to use my hands/fingers and parts of my wrist. A couple weeks after the accident, I finally picked up a marker and drew picture of a flower and clouds. I had to use a device wrapped around my hand to hold the marker. It was very, very sloppy but I still did it and I was okay with that. Two years later I'm still drawing but I think you'll notice a big difference. I no longer need to use the device wrapped around my hand. Instead, I wrap the drawing utensil around my fingers. But don't let that confuse you with the fact that I have regained the ability in my hands. I haven't. My disabilities in my hand are still the same but I just have learned how to work around them. These pictures are in consecutive order from first time I picked up a marker to present day. Also, there are pictures on how I hold the utensil. Below: my first drawing post injury  Bel...