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Know a great dad on wheels? Nominate him

May 26 02:09

My earliest memory of my father involves my Big Wheel and a big a long stick (which he would use to push me along down the street).

He would give me a push with the stick, and I'd go flying down the main drag in our neighborhood, wind going through my hair, feeling like I could conquer anything. A girl who has a great father should always consider herself lucky.

After my injury (when I began meeting a lot of people with disabilities), parenting from a wheelchair always impressed me the most.

Just think of all the things your parents did for you growing up - bathing, dressing, doing your hair, teaching you how to ride a bike, to walk even- now think of doing all those things and not being able to walk.

This is exactly why The Christopher & Dana Reeve foundation is holding a contest looking for the "Best Dad on Wheels" (they do a "Best Mom on Wheels” contest too) to spotlight these awesome parents, who show just how dedicated parenting is done. Father's Day is coming up (June 20th), so all nominations need to be received by June 5th (Midnight EST).

What I love about this contest is that anyone can nominate a dad on wheels, as long as they feel he deserves recognition (you don't have to be a child of his). Whether he's your birth father, adopted father or foster father, or a relative, friend or simply someone you know, if he a rocks at being a dad and he lives with paralysis, he can (and should!) be nominated.

The winning dad will win a $500 gift card from Tilt-a-Rack (they make really cool aluminum carriers for wheelchairs/scooters made for cars and other vehicles), as well as the best kind of reward - complete and utter bragging rights (hopefully you‘ll get a snazzy coffee mug too).

To submit your nomination for the Best Dad on Wheels contest, visit this link and explain (under 200 words) why you feel this rolling father should get the kudos he deserves.

And if he's perfected the art of making his kids' faces shine with glee by making their Big Wheels go fast, even better.

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1. idografx | Jun 09 08:00

My Dad is paraplegic. He was ambulatory for most of his life. My childhood memories did not have wheelchairs in them. Through a series of unfortunate decisions my Dad became paralyzed in his late sixties. It has been difficult for him to make the adjustment to his lack of mobility. He has struggled with resentment, depression, and sadness. In spite of all of this he has remained my best-friend, my confidant, my resource for sound advice, and a man I admire very much. There are days I know he'd like to give up, but he rallies, because he knows how much he is needed, appreciated and loved by his family. His resilience has been an example for me and my children. He has always been a mentor, and uses his life experiences to motivate us to be the best we can be. Some of the best lessons are learned by example rather than through words. My father is an inspiration without even knowing it. I am proud to be his daughter.

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By Tiffiny Carlson

Tiffiny Carlson Disability buzz, travel, fashion and dating — fun things to amp up everyday wheeling life.

Tiffiny Carlson is freelance writer and writes the “SCI Life” column for New Mobility. She's also a C6 quad from a diving accident that occurred when she was 14 years old. A lifelong resident of Minneapolis, Tiffiny has been a writer in the disability community for over 10 years and writes for several publications and blogs, as well as her personal blog BeautyAbility. Her work has also appeared in mainstream publications such as Nerve.com and Playgirl.