LIVE QUICKIE BLOG

During my first semester at Florida State, I was paralyzed in a diving accident which completely severed my spinal cord at the C5 vertebrae. The whole thing is pretty ironic considering I'd been diving for swim meets since my age was still in the single digits.

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.

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.

If you live with a disability like I do, the ability to drive your own car plays a crucial role in maintaining your autonomy and freedom. Making informed choices about adaptive technologies and modifications is key to enhancing the driving experience.

If you are a power wheelchair user and you haven't had an opportunity to try power seat elevation, I highly recommend it! I literally can't say enough wonderful things about being able to raise up with my wheelchair, and wow, what a difference it has made in my life.