Becoming a quadriplegic at the start of my collegiate career created some challenges. Putting aside the physical and mental struggles of paralysis, finding a career path is an additional challenge many recently disabled people face. Since my disabling accident happened after only one semester of college, I had to pivot my life choices pretty early on.

9/3/2024 12:00:00 AM

A broken elevator. Cabs that won't pick you up. That dreaded screech of tires when a chair randomly decides to stop working. Many of the challenges portrayed on screen in my latest Easterseals Disability Film Challenge (EDFC) five-minute short, "Wheelchair Money," mirror those I've faced in my daily life as a wheelchair user.

6/4/2024 12:00:00 AM

One of the things I've learned from working as a mentor for the past two years is that the mentor-peer relationship is symbiotic; each party benefits in different ways. For the peer, they get to learn helpful tips and tricks for living with paralysis from someone who is similar to them. They also get to see someone continue to build a fulfilling life after sustaining such a life-altering injury. As a mentor, I benefit from this relationship by feeling as if I'm making a difference.

4/16/2024 12:00:00 AM

Growing up, I didn't see a lot of media including people with disabilities. I spent a lot of my Friday nights in high school diving into the captivating worlds of my favorite TV shows, movies, and YouTube channels. However, looking back on this, it strikes me how absent representation of people with disabilities was in those narratives. Amidst the laughter, drama, and love stories, there was a glaring void – a void where I never found myself reflected as a friend, a family member, main character, or daring love interest.

12/18/2023 12:00:00 AM

So, why should one specialize in Rehabilitation Technology? Let's define it first: Rehabilitation Technology, also known as Assistive Technology, encompasses devices, software, and products designed to maintain or enhance an individual's wellbeing. While often targeting people with disabilities, these innovations are universally applicable.

12/11/2023 12:00:00 AM

3, 2, 1, go! As a TV producer, I have counted backward more times in my life than I ever thought I would! I have been with Altitude Sports, a regional sports network that is the TV home of the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche and the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets for nearly 17 years. My career path to Altitude Sports could easily be described as a great opportunity that I almost didn't take.

10/17/2023 12:00:00 AM

People with disabilities have to navigate some unique challenges when it comes to landing a job. Unfortunately, studies show that the vast majority of graduates with disabilities are worried about being a nuisance to employers and fear being discriminated against on the job. Although these concerns can be incredibly discouraging, don't let them stop you from going after your dream job!

8/24/2021 12:00:00 AM

With more and more people working from home instead of the office, the lines between work and the rest of life are becoming less defined. Here are some tips on maintaining a healthy work/life balance when working from home.

11/3/2020 12:00:00 AM

Traveling around the world, eating exotic foods, seeing iconic sights, making new friends all over the world... these are the things that most people think of when I tell them I'm a travel blogger. While I do get to enjoy those incredible aspects of travel blogging about three to four months out of the year, what happens in the other eight to nine months when I'm not traveling? There is a LOT more that goes into travel blogging than just traveling.

3/10/2020 12:00:00 AM

If these famous people with disabilities share something besides their professional success, it is their ability of self-improvement. The lives of most of them have not been easy and precisely because of that, they are an example for the rest of society. Knowing and telling the story can be inspiring for others.

2/18/2020 12:00:00 AM

Life can be very challenging in the workplace for people with disabilities. In decades gone by, those with disabilities may have really struggled because the workplace was not adapted to their needs, making it difficult to get around. In some cases, areas of the workplace may have been inaccessible. In addition, there were no special facilities catering to those with disabilities, simply because there were not stringent regulations in place.

11/19/2019 12:00:00 AM

For several years, I wanted to pursue a career in acting. I carried on that dream for 15 years, but after running into roadblock after roadblock, I ultimately decided on makeup artistry as a career path instead. I am so glad that I did! Sometimes when things in life happen, they can often lead to better outcomes.

12/25/2018 12:00:00 AM

In 1988, the United States Congress declared October to be National Disability Employment Month to highlight the diverse contributions citizens can make to the workforce in spite of physical limitations. To celebrate this month we would like to draw your attention to some of our bloggers and how they have learned to make their mark on this world.

10/2/2017 12:00:00 AM

On January 21, 1993 I was in a five-car automobile accident that injured seven people. Out of everyone injured, I was the most severely hurt. When it first happened I was in shock and didn't know the extent of my injuries. I was a passenger in the backseat and thought I should get out and try to help everyone.

5/30/2017 12:00:00 AM

"What do you want to do as an adult?" That's the question everyone is asked when they are 16-18 years old. Do you enter the workforce, trade school, college, or disability? All have ups and downs associated with them. All have levels of attainability depending on your unique situation.

5/23/2017 12:00:00 AM

My name is Greg Callen and in 2005 I was injured in a fall from a 13-foot balcony. I actually jumped and landed on my feet, which caused my L12 and T1 vertebrae to burst. I was left paralyzed. When this happened, I had a number of fears, one concerning my career and how I would have any money to follow my dreams.

5/16/2017 12:00:00 AM

The ancient Chinese sage Confucius is often credited with the saying "choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life." While this is a nice sentiment and maybe true to some degree, it's often difficult to know if you will like a career until you start down that path.

5/9/2017 12:00:00 AM

Growing up, I first wanted to be an artist. I then wanted to be an orthodontist, then an elementary school teacher. I settled on physical therapist when I entered high school. Ironically, I desired to help people with disabilities.

5/2/2017 12:00:00 AM