Magazine Archive

2018 Issues

December 2018

Living Fearlessly

Living a fearless life after a spinal cord injury doesn’t mean living with a lack of fear. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s having fears and choosing to go forward despite them. Kenny Salvini talks with other wheelers about how doing life post-SCI requires a special kind of fearlessness tailored for the unique challenges we face.

The 3D Printing Revolution

Affordable 3D printing is here and it is making it easier — and cheaper — to get accessible devices you need.

Next to Paradise (Down the Road from Intercourse)

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, is known as the heart of Amish country, but it has much more to offer.

Habitat for Humanity

Ever wonder if you could get the accessible house of your dreams through Habitat for Humanity? Tin Gilmer looks into whether it’s possible and what it would take.

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November 2018

Adaptive products and adaptive lifestyles go hand in hand. Our annual Consumer Guide shows you the tech — and the techniques — for living fully on wheels.

Adaptations, Tools & Tech

Ramping It Up: A DIY guide for building your own ramps.
IZ Is Back: Stylish clothier IZ Adaptive is back with new looks.

Health & Hygiene

Sicilian Secrets: The Italian island’s dietary genius uncovered.
MS Vaccines: The latest on flu vaccination and MS treatments.

Fitness & Sports

A New Way to Gait Train: The Spartan by Renegait.
Accessible Scuba: Diveheart opens the sea to all.

Mobility & Seating

Hop Any Obstacle: The Terrain Hopper offers unparalleled access.
New Ways to Roll: Pushing backwards? With levers? Yes.
Innovations: Watch for these cool new products.

Automotive

How to Buy a Used Van: What you need to know.

Disability Services

Podcast Revolution: Get your disability info and more on the go.
Services 101: Cutting through “internet overwhelm” to get started.

Disability Media

SPINALpedia Faves: Good vids to start your deep dive into the leading SCI-video site.

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October 2018

Surviving Modern Rehab

Edie Perkins and Ashton Fritz both survived traumatic spinal cord injuries in the last 18 months, but their journeys to and through rehab couldn’t have been more different. Sam Maddox shares their stories and writes about the tough decisions and often harsh realities facing the newest members of the SCI club.

The Trail King

Ian Mackay has put thousands of miles on his sip-and-puff power chair, crisscrossing the Pacific Northwest to raise awareness of the need for accessible trails. Kenny Salvini profiles the dreadlocked pioneer.

Inventors & Their Inventions

Alex Ghenis talks with inventors designing products for the wheelchair-using community to understand what makes them tick and how they turn their ideas into realities.

When Wounds Won’t Heal

Tim Gilmer investigates the underlying causes of the worst wounds and shares what you can do to heal when bedrest isn’t enough.

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September 2018

Women to Watch: 5 Under 40

Ola Ojewumi, Cody Unser, Kavita Krishnaswamy, Rose Hollermann and Santina Muha may not be household names yet, but they are making big impacts in their respective fields, and you’ll be glad we told you to keep an eye on their budding careers.

Microadventures

We’d all love a fancy trip abroad, but adventure doesn’t have to be expensive or complex to be fun. Seth McBride looks at trips that are small, achievable and awesome.

Our Environmental Impact

Catheters, ostomy equipment … heck, even straws — it adds up to a lot of garbage. Alex Ghenis examines disability’s environmental impact and what is being done to minimize it.

Happiness After Divorce

Between an emotionally abusive relationship and progressive multiple sclerosis, Gabby Reyes faced a dark future, but she persisted and found unexpected happiness.

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August 2018

The Parenting Issue

Kids grow up fast, and whether parents use a wheelchair or not, they need all the help they can get to keep up. Seth McBride, Stephanie Arrache and Teal Sherer break down the early years of raising children and share how they — and their kids — have adapted to parenting with a wheelchair.

Comic on the Rise

You may not think of Indianapolis as a hot bed of comedy, but Lucas Waterfill is working hard to change that perception. Chris Ryan reports.

Callahan on Film

Tim Gilmer reviews the new film Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot, weighing in on how director Gus Van Sant captures former New Mobility contributor John Callahan’s famed memoir.

Roll on Capitol Hill

United Spinal’s Rolling Revolution took over our nation’s capital for three days in late June, and Ian Ruder delivers a firsthand report.

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July 2018

Celebrating Tim

For almost a generation, New Mobility has been guided by our beloved editor, Tim Gilmer. And now, as he retires, it is time to bid him farewell — although we trust he will not go far from these pages. This issue is dedicated to Tim, from tributes by staff and freelancers to excerpts of a few of his greatest articles.

Thanks, Tim

We rounded up the usual suspects to join us in sharing a word for the man who made us all look our best.

From the Bully Pulpit

How can such a small column have such a large impact? Perhaps because Tim Gilmer’s formula is one part heart, one part soul, and two parts authenticity.

Stop the Presses!

In every significant national event, wheelchair users are involved. Tim Gilmer and Josie Byzek reflect on how New Mobility tells our stories.

Lifestyles of the Wheeled and Famous

Here are excerpts from three of Tim Gilmer’s many profiles of well-known wheelers.

An Annotated Medical Compendium

Seth McBride captures and collates Tim Gilmer’s most useful health-related articles.

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June 2018

Eric Howk. The Man

Eric Howk just won a Grammy. His band, Portugal. The Man, has two of the biggest hits of the year. And he is living his dream touring the world and playing guitar. IAN RUDER sat down with Howk to find out what it’s like being one of the most visible wheelchair-using musicians in the world, what life is like on the road and what went on behind the scenes at the Grammys.

ISS Product Roundup

The 2018 International Seating Symposium is history, but Bob Vogel scouted out the greatest innovations in mobility and seating so you won’t miss anything.

Rolling With Dad

Her father’s broken leg provided Teal Sherer a unique opportunity to spend time together as wheelchair users and to reflect on their relationship.

Girlfriends

Ellen Stohl shares how the regular gatherings of her closest friends have helped sustain her and educate them about living with a disability

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May 2018

Exploring Yellowstone & Grand Teton

Ian Ruder wore out the tires on his power chair to see how Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks rate when it comes to accessibility. He left wanting more of the beauty, more of the serenity and — bummer — better access. Matt Keenan shares tips on how you can make the most of your next camping trip, whether you go to Wyoming or elsewhere.

Roll on Capitol Hill

Thanks to United Spinal’s growing chapter network and advocacy, the seventh annual Roll on Capitol Hill is poised to be the most successful yet. Seth McBride reports.

Dance, Dance, Dance

Acclaimed dancer and choreographer Alice Sheppard dreamed about dancing on a giant ramp, so she built one for her new show, DESCENT. By Josie Byzek.

All Access Sailing

With its unique universal design, the Impossible Dream has fulfilled thousands of dreams on the open sea. Bob Vogel treats us to his adventure.

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April 2018

The Future’s Smartchairs Are Here

What if your wheelchair could tell you when it was going to need maintenance or when you needed a pressure release? Or what if it could drive you from point to point without you having to steer? Bob Vogel says the time is now. Also, Elizabeth Jameson and Catherine Monahon ask, why can’t we have wheelchairs that are both functional and beautiful?

Maximizing Metabolism

Paralympian Seth McBride shares how and why wheelchair users should keep tabs on their metabolism.

Creating a Safe Space

Kate Matelan reports on how Van Brooks’ nonprofit, SAFE Alternative Foundation for Education, is transforming
his Baltimore community.

Tech Takeover

Technology is transforming work, and for wheelchair users willing to take advantage, REVECA TORRES finds there are more opportunities available than ever.

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March 2018

Accessible Gardening

Spring is almost here and there’s no better time to start planning and planting your dream garden. Whether indoors, outdoors or upside down — flowers, foliage or food-focused — the options are plentiful. Paula Larson talks with all types of gardeners about best strategies and tools to guarantee your horticultural success, and Tim Gilmer adds his love of gardening into the mix.

Holy Rolling in Israel

Accessible travel expert Cory Lee has been all over the world. Find out how Israel rates on access and why it is his favorite destination.

Walker to Wheeler

Heidi Johnson-Wright chronicles her life in the odd limbo between being able to walk and using a wheelchair.

Families Like Ours

What happens when four families with high-level quad dads meet in person for the first time? Kristen Sachs and Kenny Salvini capture the special gathering.

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February 2018

Sex, Wheels & Relationships

Regan Linton profiles four couples we love, who speak candidly about their relationships in and out of the bedroom. An excerpt from Ben Mattlin’s new book digs into the dynamics of “inter-abled” relationships, Veronica Skye shares an intimate look at how she hid her colostomy from people she dated for half her life before finally opening up about it, and Mitch Tepper has fun checking out the latest in adaptive sex toys.

Hurricane Recovery

The 2017 hurricane season upended hundreds of thousands of lives. Cindy Otis reports on United Spinal’s relief efforts for those with disabilities.

An Otter’s Life

Curious about Christiaan “Otter” Bailey’s nickname? The humanitarian work of the world-class adaptive surfer/skater may be an even better story. By Seth McBride.

Artist Retreats

If you’re looking to find your artistic inspiration in a peaceful setting, Mark Braunstein may have the answer for you (and its free!).

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January 2018

People of the Year

Alex Elegudin and Yannick Benjamin met in rehab 15 years ago and forged a bond over a commitment to improve support systems for people with SCI. With innovative programs and services, their nonprofit, Wheeling Forward, has done just that for thousands. Seth McBride shows how their distinct styles complement each other and how their selfless approach has built a tight-knit New York community.

A Passion for Art

Richard Bell didn’t discover his passion for art until after his SCI, and Jenni Gold reports he is not wasting any time making the most of it.

The Ogo Is Here

Fast, responsive, fun — and a little dangerous. Bob Vogel checks out the Ogo and other Segway modifications offering wheelers new mobility options.

The Adoption Option

Brigham Fordham shares the highs and lows of going through the adoption process twice, and why you shouldn’t let a spinal cord injury stop you.

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