HOW TO FLY WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR $40,000 WHEELCHAIR (OR YOUR SPIRIT)
There are a few things I wish someone had handed me early in life:
📝 A how-to guide on being paralyzed with style
📉 A manual on avoiding airport catastrophe
🎁 And maybe a coupon for lifetime bubble wrap
I didn’t know what I didn’t know—until I learned the hard way. And by hard, I mean metal-on-metal-cargo-hold hard.
As a full-time wheelchair user paralyzed from the chest down (with limited arm movement), I’ve been through the “congrats-your-chair-is-now-art-supplies” phase of air travel way too many times.
Over the years, I’ve worked with engineers, wheelchair techs, caregivers, and fellow flying wheelchair warriors to build what I call my Cirque du Soleil of chair loading. It’s a high-stakes dance starring my caregiver and some very expensive hardware.
🎥 The video below? It’s part choreography, part survival ritual.
THE ONE PROBLEM 😬
Even with all that prep? There’s still a 50/50 chance something breaks. Why?
COMPASSION CRISIS: PLEASE PAY ATTENTION
(Could this be you? Or someone you love?)
I wish I could say this is one of my usual dark humor posts. It’s not. It is, however, one of the most necessary things I’ve written in a while—for all of us, as human beings navigating a system that often forgets the human part.
72 HOURS AGO, EVERYTHING SHIFTED 🕰️
My wildly energetic, sharp-as-a-tack 79-year-old German mother hit a wall. She had chills, a high fever, violent shaking, and looked like a truck hit her. We thought it might be a UTI—easy mistake to make given the symptoms. We got her antibiotics. They didn’t help. We went to urgent care. More meds. No improvement. By the next morning, her fever spiked to 107°F. I rushed her to the emergency room.
We spent seven hours in the ER together. I didn’t leave her side. I was her advocate. Her voice. Her bodyguard in a wheelchair. The diagnosis? A severe strain of rhinovirus. A virus—no easy fix. No magic meds. We just have to monitor her breathing, hope it doesn’t progress, and let her rest. That’s the backstory.
But that’s not what this post is about.
WHAT I WITNESSED IN THE ER 💔
While we were waiting for blood test results, I watched something that made my stomach turn.
read more…THE TIME HAS COME… MEET MY “PERSON” 💕
A few weeks ago, I made a post about dating as a divorced, 40-year-old quadriplegic woman. Toward the end of it, I mentioned someone special—a human who’s been in my life for nearly a year and a half now.
We made the intentional decision to keep our relationship offline for a while. Just the two of us. Quietly getting to know each other without the noise of likes, comments, or unsolicited opinions.
But now? The cat is officially out of the (adorably judgmental) bag. 🐈
MEET DAN.
Dan Gizzi and I met on Match, both of us dipping our toes into the wild world of online dating. There were zero expectations.
Dan says he was just hoping for a few good meals. I was experimenting with what dating could even look like as a divorced woman with a disability, still learning where I stood with it all.
And then… something unexpected and beautiful happened.
WHAT STARTED AS DATING TURNED INTO FRIENDSHIP—AND THEN PARTNERSHIP.
Over time, we began building a real connection. Not just as romantic partners, but as friends who truly see one another.
We are very different—and weirdly perfect for each other. Dan is calm, thoughtful, intelligent, creative, and the best kind of cheerleader. I, on the other hand, am basically an Energizer Bunny with WiFi: always talking, always building, always moving, and notoriously difficult to slow down.
He does that. Gently.
WE BALANCE EACH OTHER.
BEING BRAVE TODAY
(Because Some Moments Take Time to Face)
Signing up for the National Storytelling Competition made me revisit a photograph I’ve never shared before
I blocked off four-hour chunks for book editing. Progress update? Still on round one… with three more to go. Turns out, writing is way easier than editing. Worse? Reading your own thoughts out loud, knowing the world will soon have a front-row seat to your inner monologue.
This week, I revisited the section about the moment I broke my neck—specifically the 22-hour journey through a hurricane as my dad rushed me to emergency surgery. He knew I was on a time clock. I didn’t. He watched his daughter die in real time.
I tell my story all the time, but reading those words again? Tears. Streaming. Down. My. Face.
GRIEF IS FUNNY LIKE THAT
IF YOU OPPOSE AN ACRONYM—BE SPECIFIC. ✋🔤
Lately, I’ve seen a lot of bold statements about getting rid of DEI. But let’s be clear—if you’re against something, name it.
Stop hiding behind letters. Spell it out:
“I OPPOSE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION.”
And while you’re at it, let’s get specific:
🔹 DIVERSITY? Too many different perspectives making decisions?
🔹 EQUITY? The idea that barriers should be removed so more people can access opportunities?
🔹 INCLUSION? Making sure people aren’t shut out just because they don’t fit the mold?
DEI ISN’T JUST AN ACRONYM—IT’S ABOUT BELONGING. 🏡✨
And here’s the kicker: Companies that fail to create a sense of belonging lose over 💰 $300 BILLION 💰 a year in employee turnover. Because when people don’t feel valued, they leave. And when they leave, organizations lose talent, innovation, and institutional knowledge.
HERE’S WHERE IT GETS PERSONAL. 🦽💬
I’m a quadriplegic. A full-time wheelchair user navigating a world that wasn’t designed for me. So when someone says they’re against DEI, I hear:
❌ “Making spaces accessible is too much of a hassle.”
❌ “People like you should just figure it out on your own.”
❌ “Opportunities should stay limited to those who already have access.”
If that’s your stance—fine. But own it. Because if you can’t say the words “I OPPOSE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION” out loud, maybe, just maybe, it’s worth reconsidering why you’re saying it at all.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LET’S TALK SPECIFICS—NOT JUST ACRONYMS. 🔎💡
“FROM BED-BOUND (Literally) TO BREAKING BARRIERS—WHAT SUCCESS REALLY MEANS.” 🔥🚀
Thank you to Los Angeles Magazine for featuring my TEDx talk as one of the top 30 impactful talks of this century! A huge congratulations to my fellow TEDx’ers!!
I woke up to a friend sending me the article, and for a solid minute, I thought I was being punked. (Where’s Ashton Kutcher when you need him?)
But it got me thinking… how do we define success?
RE-FRAMING SUCCESS 🏆
Is it:
💰 The size of your paycheck?
📛 A fancy job title?
📊 How many views you get on your TEDx talk? (👀)
Most of us have an invisible scoreboard in our heads, constantly tallying the ways we should be winning. But real talk:
Who created that scoreboard? And does it even matter?
HERE’S THE THING ⚡
We’ve become victims of our own success.
🔹 We get anxious about being anxious.
🔹 We get stressed about being stressed. (Quick, where’s the vodka or that 11 p.m. commitment to a sugar spiral?)
🔹 We’re on a treadmill to nowhere, sprinting toward a finish line that doesn’t exist.
It’s like trying to win a race where the prize is… a never-ending email chain. Or worse—a reply all disaster.
read more…LIFE & LOVE as a 41 Year Old DIVORCED QUADRIPLEGIC 💔♿❤️
Life loves a good plot twist, doesn’t it? I never imagined becoming a quadriplegic—or a divorcee, for that matter—but here I am, navigating uncharted territory with all its messy beauty.
Honestly, it’s probably for the best that we can’t predict the future. Would we even know how to move forward if we could see all the challenges ahead?
DATING AS A 40-SOMETHING QUADRIPLEGIC: THE REAL TALK
Over the last 18 months, people—both disabled and able-bodied—have asked me what it’s like diving into the dating world at my age, with my wheelchair in tow. Spoiler alert: It’s complicated.
Let’s be real: online dating isn’t easy for anyone. But throw in the fact that I’m a quadriplegic woman in her early 40s, and it gets… interesting.
Here’s the thing, though: my wheelchair weeds out the wrong people instantly. And I love that. Why? Because I don’t waste time on those who can’t see beyond the physical. Sure, there are a few duds (and some guys with, um, questionable intentions), but I’ve met genuinely awesome humans along the way.
THE LEARNING CURVE OF LOVE (AND “ARE WE DATING THE SAME GUY?”) 🤔
Did you know there’s a website called “Are We Dating the Same Guy?” It’s like a telenovela meets public safety tool, where women compare notes to weed out serial daters or players. Fascinating, right? Thankfully, I haven’t needed it—but it’s wild to see the stories!
WHAT 41 YEARS (AND A FEW CURVES) HAVE TAUGHT ME
Here’s what I’ve learned about dating in my 40s:
* I know who I am.
* I know what I value.
* And I know what I won’t compromise on.
The insecurities that used to keep me up at night? They’re still there—but I no longer let them define me. Yes, being in a wheelchair comes with challenges (bladder, bowel, muscle spasms—oh my! 🫠), but it’s my life. And I no longer feel the need to hide those parts of me.
Now, I’m looking for a partner who accepts me fully: quirks, insecurities, and all. Someone to laugh with, grow with, and—let’s be real—argue with now and then.
THE CONFIDENCE SHIFT: I’M FINALLY IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT (METAPHORICALLY) 🚗
When I was first injured, I didn’t understand why anyone would want to date someone in a wheelchair. But now? I’m in control. I’ve embraced my life and all its beautiful complexity, and I’ve found confidence I didn’t know I had.
THE BIG REVEAL (KIND OF 😉)
Am I dating right now? Yes, but I did have to kiss a handful of frogs along the way. After all, in the beginning, dating is a numbers game. I’ve been seeing a wonderful gentleman for a while now … Stay tuned on that one… ❤️
FINAL THOUGHTS
This post isn’t just about love—it’s about authenticity. Life is messy, and that’s okay. We’re all more than just our jobs, titles, or LinkedIn profiles. So here’s to showing up, imperfections and all, and sharing the full spectrum of who we are—because that’s where the real connections happen.I
TOP 50 MOST WATCHED TEDX TALKS IN 2024: Humbled, Grateful, and Slightly Blown Away
Wow. Just wow. 🤯 I am beyond honored to be listed among these incredible speakers whose TEDx talks made waves in 2024. My little corner of the internet—clocking in at around 333,000 views—feels a bit surreal, and I owe every single friend, colleague, supporter, and curious stranger who watched, shared, and commented on my TEDx talk a huge thank you. 🙌 Seriously, you all rock. 🤘
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
Here’s the thing: I broke my neck in 2010 in a shallow-water diving accident that left me paralyzed from the chest down. My journey since then has been a masterclass in lessons I didn’t sign up for—seven years in and out of hospitals, countless medical complications, and more moments of “Why me?” than I can count. But every single challenge taught me something invaluable. 💡
Today, I wake up with one goal: To help others Keep Moving Forward—personally, professionally, or even just moment to moment. Life doesn’t always require giant leaps. Sometimes it’s about taking the tiniest of steps—or in my case, rolling forward—toward purpose. 🛞
THE TIMING COULDN’T BE BETTER
To be honest, this news couldn’t have come at a better time. I’ve been working tirelessly on editing my first book (coming this spring! 📚), developing new keynote material 🎤, and, oh yeah, fighting off the flu for the third time in eight weeks. 🤒 Pro tip: If you’re looking for an immune system upgrade, I wouldn’t recommend my 2024 edition.
This recognition? It’s a much-needed reminder of why I do what I do. 💪 It’s about CONSTANCY OF PURPOSE. Even on the tough days—or flu-ridden ones—progress is progress. It doesn’t have to be flashy or groundbreaking. It can be as simple as making an epic breakfast 🥞 or sending that one email you’ve been putting off.
THE BIG LESSON
We’re all chasing something, but here’s what I’ve learned: Redefine and reframe success on your own terms. 🧠 It doesn’t have to look like a TEDx talk or publishing a book. Sometimes success is simply showing up, taking one more step, and remembering that forward is forward, no matter the size of the stride.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey: thank you for helping me live out my purpose—and for reminding me that even flu season can’t stop momentum. 💖 Cheers to all of us finding our own version of success, one step (or roll) at a time.
📽 PS: If you haven’t seen the talk yet, it’s still waiting for you to hit play. Best Kind of Warning: dark humor and ahead! 🎥
Why Victimhood is a Choice
Have you met Kate Gladdin ? If not, you have to check her out right now. We were introduced to a mutual friend and she is also a Keynote motivational speaker, best-selling author, and coach for women.
As I say time and time again, life and everything in between is all about your story. It’s about how you live your story with purpose, goofiness, the hard times in between, and everything else. Always the Story!
Kate has an extraordinary story and one of hardship turned into a purpose of teaching others and young women on resilience. She has a fantastic book called “Okay, now What?” A must-read.
I don’t want to give away or her whole story, but when she was 20 years old she woke up in the middle of the night to find out her older sister had died in a tragic road accident while traveling internationally. Her life as she knew it changed forever. Through her incredible philosophy and practical applications of resilience, she turned a tragedy into a philosophy to help many of thousands.
Not only are we great friends now, but she invited me onto her podcast and we had a ton of fun together! In the face of the darkest times, we both agree finding humor is an absolute must.