International travel to culturally intensive destinations, foreign languages (speak Spanish fluently and started learning Russian). I'm always been all about challenging & adrenaline filled activities - of course some of these that I used to enjoy like rock climbing are pretty tough in a wheelchair being partially paralyzed but adapted variations I'm exploring are: downhill sit skiing, water sit skiing, hand cycling, scuba diving, sailing, and horseback riding (serogate legs for hiking in the mountains, etc.). I'm currently working on getting a little Capuchin monkey trained by an organization called "Helping Hands".
I love almost all movies except horror, which just seen mind numbing. Comedies are great but also dramas that make you think. Also enjoy some dependent and foreign films. I rarely watch a movie more than once (unless it's maybe been a few years and was exceptionally good), there are simply too many out there that I haven't seen! A few favorites that come to mind are most of Adam Sandler, The Postman, Schindler's List, There Something about Mary, The Fifth Element, American Pie...
I don't watch much TV, with the exemption of "That 70's Show" which gets recorded the PVR all the time.
Books
Most of Isaac Asimov (I Robot & Foundation Series) & Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game), recently also read A Short History of Nearly Everything, America's Secret War (very interesting!), Jean M. Auel's Earth's Children Series. Used to enjoy Tom Clancy but haven't read for quite a few years.
Heroes
Everyone is a hero in their own right. When you inspire or motivate someone you become a hero to them whether recognized out rightly or indirectly. I constantly hear how inspirational I am, and I suppose I can understand how that might be, though I don't feel special or exceptional in any way. It is too bad that being disabled and in a wheelchair either turns one into an evil genius or an angel (especially in the media), because by simply trying to live life you become exceptional. It is really too bad that has to be the case.
Disability is only differential ability. We humans have an immeasurable ability to compensate and adapt. The lack of any ability focuses and refines the development of other abilities. By the structure of the word, dis-ability is the lack of an ability expected of the "standard" individual. Since necessity is the mother of invention, all of society's developments and innovations throughout history are based upon the expectation of a certain baseline level of ability. When an individual lacks one or more abilities from this standard baseline, they are greatly disadvantaged simply because they are unable to take advantage of all of society's innovations from housing to transportation to communications to entertainment.
By simply rethinking where that baseline is drawn and applying the concepts of universal design to all aspects of life, not only does society become more inclusive by design, but it has been found that a much greater portion of the population benefits than was ever initially expected or anticipated. Curb cuts were originally proposed to benefit those with mobility impairments and initially thought by many not to be worth the additional effort to benefit such a small population. However, it was soon discovered that curb cuts made the investment in sidewalks much easier and more useful for everyone from bikers and skateboarders to mothers with baby strollers to workers unloading cargo. This has led to their even greater use and inclusion in many more locations than simply on street corners.
Regis University
Denver,Colorado
Graduated: 2006
Degree: Master's Degree
Major: MBA - Masters of Business Administration
2002 to 2006
North Dakota State University-Main Campus
Fargo,North Dakota
Graduated: 1999
Student status: Alumni
Degree: Bachelor's Degree
Major: Electrical Engineering
Minor: International Studies / Business
Clubs: Rugby (1998-1999)
IEEE (President) - Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers
Summer Orientation Leader (1996)
Stockbridge Resident Assistant (1996)
ACM - Association for Computing Machinery
1995 to 1999
Albany Sr.
Albany,Minnesota
Graduated: 1995
Student status: Alumni
Degree: High School Diploma
Clubs: Captains & Leaders
Minnesota Governor Scholar
National Honor Society
Lifeguard & Water Safety Instructor
Drama
Marching Band
Mock Trial
Knowledge Bowl
Science Challenge
Math Team
High Mileage Team
Check out the "Sky Chairiot"... www.BroadenedHorizons.org the world's first wheelchair accessible airplane that I've designed and am working to build.
I'm outgoing, innovative, open-minded & sometimes too adventurous. Inability defines opportunity which is only limited by desire, determination, and drive.
I am an enteprenur developing a new business, I design unique solutions for wheelchair users with upper extremity limitations. I love Traveling to out of the way, less visited places and immersed cultural exploration, even living abroad. I speak Spanish fluently - Te Hablas?! And a bit of Russian. My opportunities for diverse experiences have cultivated often liberal perspectives, grounded in small-town values.
I enjoy lively discussion and play the devils advocate quite well if necessary. I prefer a relaxing movie with a good PLOT by my fireplace rather than TV, even better cuddled up with someone special! I love live dramatic theater, comedy, and exploring new clubs and restaurants.
I am a recreational pilot (now with a "broken wing") and used to have my own expiramental airplanes. Unfortunately, due to an engine failure immediately after takeoff I was forced to crash land one of them in the Minnesota River Valley and ended up with a broken neck leaving me paralyzed in a wheelchair from the armpits down. I'm not letting that stop me however and I've designed a unique airplane that can be driven/flown from a wheelchair. I am very independent and self reliant (I drive a minivan with hand controls), but of course now I just must accept some help.
My motto: New expirences weave the fabric of life and are the hallmark of existance.
.. I've applied for & hope to get one of these little well trained monkey helper's! Video & Comments
Who I'd like to meet: This seemed like a good way to stay in touch or get back in touch with old friends and acquaintances!
Regarding the fairer sex, if I had to imagine... Are you balanced with a dynamic, non-dependent personality fueled by a quizzical, open-minded, and easy going nature? I'm looking for someone with whom to explore and discover our world, becoming part of each other's lives. One cannot appreciate sweet without tasting sour, peacefulness without knowing chaos, or success without struggling. Someone capable of recognizing the small joys that result from those struggles. I am especially drawn to someone who is self-confident, independent, spontaneous, and outgoing - yet also soft, quiet, affectionate, caring, and responsible. You must have a positive perspective, preferring to see the good rather than the negative, and especially enjoy experiencing new things. I am not particular, but I am a sucker for long darker hair, deep eyes, and a bright flashing smile. Drop me a line if you wou are not afraid to discover life at a slightly different pace, and experience it from a unique perspective! ;-)
It's gonna be your birthday soon so we've gotta get you out and about. Katie and I will keep working on where we are gonna take you. Although, we can't take you anywhere you naughty thing you. Ha!
As one of my single-guy-friends I wanted to wish you a happy Father's day and congratulations on keeping your swimmers out of the oven. That's a talent too. Ha!
I'm hoping to be invited to one of your outdoor grilling parties sometime soon. So, this is me lighting a fire under your butt to have a grilling party. Ha! We're gone this Saturday - we're going to see Jay Leno at the casino - but other Saturday (or Friday)nights we could come roast stuff on sticks with ya. Ha!
Quit working so hard and come out to the Joke Joint (new comedy place near Mall of America) with us some Friday or Saturday night. Ha! We will have to find a night we can go and we will call and invite you; its great there!
Here's a joke that I heard, on t.v., that reminds me of you: He could sell a hat rack to a moose. Ha! I thought of you right away you little salesmen you. Ha!
Joking around,
Janelle :o) P.S. I haven't left you a comment in a while so I thought I'd leave you one today.
Hopefully you find sweet things on Valentine's day, or a sweet someone to spend in with. If not its just you and Cary enjoying a candle-lit dinner for two and that would just be, well, weird as hell since Katie already thinks you two are like a little husband and wife the way you talk at the house. It gives me the giggles as I'm typing this even. Oh Lord!!
I guess I should have read your other message you sent me before I sent mine. I actually have plans tonight but thanks, maybe another time. Have fun once again :)
I hope your GOLDEN birthday is a great one. Thankfully I found a stripper (see picture) that was available in time for your birthday - it might have been awkward as hell if Katie or I had to come and perform the duties ourselves. Ha! Glitter Graphics & Comments
So, you finally made it to your GOLDEN BIRTHDAY, huh? Sweet! I'm waiting to hear if you change the date for you upcoming birthday party to a time David and I can go...We have an all-day wedding on October 20th but the 27th would work great for us and we would really like to come and celebrate your b-day with you. I ran into Katie at Old Navy the other day and it sounds like she and Jake could do the 27th too but I'm not sure what you and other guests have going that night. Katie made a request for my "ass with thong cookies" to be made for the party. Ha!
Hey there - long time no chat!!! You happen to be speaking on Oct 16th... which HAPPENS to be my birthday - and I am happening to be in St. Cloud that night!!! Maybe I'll pop in and say hi! Is it a dinner or something? I have no solid dinner plans and that would be a GREAT cause!!
Let me know! How are you otherwise? Anything new? A good friend of mine just told me that as of Sept 7th he got his pilots license... someday I want to fly!
