Wheelchair backflips... and other stuff

First off, Guinness Book of World Record for a wheelchair backflip. I thought this was pretty awesome. I can't even do a wheelie. I think that is because I'm in that I'm-getting-older-and-I-need-to-preserve-myself stage.

[via boingboing]

Right now, I'm currently finishing up my third semester of OT school. This semester, we have been focused primarily on middle adulthood, both physical disabilities as well as mental health. I just got my schedule for the Spring semester (and last semester! lecture-wise anyway). We'll be learning about late adulthood - the population that I envision myself working with. Of course, what I plan may become the exact opposite of what I actually end up doing so who knows...

I'll also be taking a special issues course on hand rehabilitation. So I'll be a splint-making machine. Maybe. Or possibly a splint-making machine that realized that she left the splint material in too long and it's slowly gooping down the scissors. Haven't done that yet but I can see it happening.

I've also been thinking about this blog. There have been plenty of times where I'll come across something and I'll think, "Hey! I should put this up on the blog" but then that morphs into, "Nah, I don't have time to add my bit because then otherwise I'm just linking stuff, which is boring.."

BTW, when I first started this sojourn a year ago, I hated the whole reflecting bit. Why bother? It is what it is. Maybe having been used to be in a black and white clinical world from working in the laboratory influenced that outlook. In any case, I now find myself reflecting more, wondering and being more curious beyond superficial appearances. Could it be? Could I be evolving? Hahaha... there is hope yet!

OK, what was I saying? Oh yeah, this blog. Not sure what the future holds but as soon as I figure that out, um, I'll post it!

Arthur "Peg Leg Sam" Jackson and Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates

If you've watched Amelie, "Peg Leg Sam" is the same man that was in one of the videos that Amelie sends to the glass man.



Another tap dancer, Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates:

Paralympic Games in Beijing (Sep 6-17)

UniversalSports.com will be broadcasting the paralympic games live from Beijing. Here's the schedule.

I am eager to watch the rugby final on 9/16. Fortunately it's on a Tuesday and I don't have class that day. I may have a dozen other things I should be doing instead but, hey, it's only every 4 years. Until then, you can watch the opening ceremony here, all 3 and a half glorious hours of it.

Per the US Paralympics site, the games will also be broadcast on Universal Sports TV on 10/8 and a special presentation on NBC on 10/18.

First day of the last year

Monday was the first day of class once more. It was good to see everyone again (even though it really hadn't been that long, just felt like it). Back to routines (of staying up way too late and rushing out the door in the mornings - ha!)

I have half days on Mondays so it's not too bad. Then I don't have class again until Wednesday afternoon which at least allows me some time to catch up. We also had our adviser meet and greet. It's hard to imagine that just one year ago, I was in the same position has the new class.

Yesterday was also my birthday. There was a time (mid to late 20's) that I avoided any celebration. Nowadays, I'm just grateful and more appreciative to have lived through another year. Last night, we (kids included) went out for dinner and had some sushi. Everything was delicious. My daughter loves tobiko so we got her a couple of pieces too. Now gimme some cake! :)

Speaking of cake and sushi(like the segue? No? too bad), I'm not quite sure how I feel about this:



[via Cake Wreaks]

Neurophilosophy : Stroke victim gets artistic flair

Neurophilosophy : Stroke victim gets artistic flair & earns $$$ creating Spore creatures

Posted using ShareThis

I've got spirit! Yes I do! I've got spirit! How 'bout you?

So, I've been following the Olympics and have found a new hero in Dara Torres. Of course, if you're in the U.S., you know by now that NBC has exclusive online rights so it's hard to find any video online. (I'm sure there are those who are technologically more savvy than me and can find them but I don't have the time/patience.) So I wondered if the same applied to the paralympics (held Sep 6-17) or at least find out if anyone is broadcasting it but not having much luck.

There was one site online (www.paralympicsport.tv) that seem to be promising. I guess we'll see.

In my search, I found another site (www.disabilitytv.com) from New Zealand that highlights lives of those who have disabilities. They also have a channel on youtube.

In the meantime, I leave you with two Nike commercials. The first one is of Oscar Pistorius, South African paralympic sprinter, and the second is of Rohan Murphy, U.S. paralympic powerlifter.

Slow motion karate chop

One of the classes I took over the summer was an upper extremity cadaver course for OTs. I am grateful that this class was offered and to the gentleman who gifted his body so that students can learn. You can only learn so much from books; nothing compares to practical learning.

So when I saw this on youtube, I cringed. It's a slow motion video of a man karate chopping a cement block. AHH!



On the same note, here's a video of people getting punched (talk about shockwaves!):