The Best of Disability Blogs and Banter

Ex That
On June 12, a paraplegic wearing an exoskeleton kicked a soccer ball as part of the World Cup opening ceremonies in Brazil. Although the hype said he’d rise from his wheelchair, walk to the ball and kick it onto the field, in reality all he did was tap the ball with his foot. The event set off a whirlwind of criticism that ripped through the crip blogosphere.

So hey, able-bodied media: quit making me feel like wheelchairs are a shitty, sub-par option. Stop beating your exoskeleton drum. And most of all, let go of your obsession with walking, because it’s totally overrated.
— Red Nicholson, attitudelive.com

Apart from the fact that the kick was insipidly embarrassing (travelling all of two meters), the device was a monstrosity, and I have absolutely no desire to try it. If science wants to help me out, it should concentrate its research on the bladder and bowel, and do something about nerve pain and spasm.
— Shane Clifton, shaneclifton.com

I would urge paralyzed people to boycott this device! Screw the exoskeleton. Screw walking! Get me a good wheelchair, an excellent wheelchair cushion, and some adaptive sports equipment so one can remain in excellent physical health. Better yet, get paralyzed people a job. Forget about the exoskeleton.
  — Bill Peace, badcripple.blogspot.com.au

Surf This
Brandon Stone is shown doing what he loves best — crowd surfing. This pic and others like it are floating around news sites from all across Texas.