Community Heroes

By Chris Rohan, Former Publisher of Disabled Dealer Magazine Ifirst met Bobbi Tanberg at a luncheon in January 2007 where she was honored by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors with the 2006 Access Award for public service and making a difference in the disability community. If you ask Bobbi Jean, she would tell…

By Steve Spohn, AbleGamers Charity Thirty-four days ago, I lost the ability to drive my wheelchair and with it…my independence. You see, my disease, SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), is deteriorating my muscles at a very slow pace. Over time, my abilities are being torn away due to the atrophy that sets in from not using groups…

Fusion’s LEMONADE is a digital series about real people who have overcome life-changing obstacles. This series is not only about their power to defy the odds and shatter expectations, it’s about their ability to redefine those odds and rid preconceived notions of their limitations. Catch it on the Fusion Youtube Channel. One-Arm Golf Phenom Inspired by…

By Jennifer and Jeff D. Gorman, The Mobility Resource and BraunAbility Wheelchair Vans. Ben Lewin, director of Fox Searchlight’s new film, The Sessions, spoke with fellow polio survivor Jennifer Gorman of The Mobility Resource about his cinematic tale of another polio survivor, Mark O’Brien. The California poet, who died in 1999, has already been the subject of one Oscar-winning film,…

By Margarita Elizondo, CEO and Founder of Rolling With Me and Abilities Expo Ambassador In order to truly show the community that you serve how much you love them, the most empowering thing you can do is add them to your team to serve alongside you. Abilities Expo Ambassadors are leaders in the community with…

By Adam Farris, Younique Abilities Hello, my name is Adam. I was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome in 1994 at the age of six. Later, in July of 2012, I was diagnosed with a form of autism called pervasive developmental disorder. As a child, I didn’t understand Tourette’s syndrome and would ask myself, “What it that?” My…

Morgan Steward is fascinated with police officers. According to his mother, Tangi, he has always wanted to be one. “He’s only five years old, but he already has big dreams,” Tangi said of her son. “Being a police officer is all he talks about.” Morgan, who has spinal muscular atrophy and uses a Q6 Edge…

By Chris Rohan, Former Publisher, Disabled Dealer Magazine There are a lot of people out there that talk about trying to change the attitude of people regarding disability. Then there is Stevie Hopkins who not only talks about it, he is doing something about it. It all started in 2004 when his sister, Annie created…

Fifteen-year-old Elizabeth Harrington has a vision. Born with anophthalmia—without eyes—her vision does not depend on her ability to see. It is not hindered by her cerebral palsy or her eye prosthetics. Instead, this vision is what drives her to fulfill her Hollywood dreams and what caught the attention of award-winning independent filmmaker Tim Greene. Elizabeth’s current film project,…

Donna Russo has danced since the age of ten. She began with ballet and tap and later added jazz and modern to her repertoire. She was diagnosed with Turners Syndrome at an early age, which has affected her growth. She is small in stature and stands only 4 feet, 3 inches tall. Although she auditioned for…

By Janis Gioia George Strait, if you’re reading this article, Amy Fey of Schertz, Texas, would love to meet you. While meeting the country music legend might be Amy’s dream come true, it would be more life changing for Mr. Strait to meet Amy…she radiates that much joy, energy, positivity and hope. And if he…

By Lisa Wells, Wheel-Life.org “I became a complete C-7 quad on November 9, 1991 as the result of a car accident,” said Chris Malcom, founder of the iPush Foundation, a lifestyle resource and source of encouragement for anyone who uses a wheelchair. “I was a sophomore in college at the time. I’m not proud of it but…