Unstuck and in Vegas for a Moment

Stand Up Sunday...

Dustin blew in out of Vegas as quickly as the Summer Monsoon winds whisked by. The weather in Vegas this weekend was gloomy and the skies were smoke filled, but Dustin's message light up The Orleans and the audience a the Unstuck 2016 Conference with positivity. 

Dustin shared his story about overcoming the initial challenges from his car accident and about his opportunity to stay focused and positive in light of paralysis. He stood up and shared about the epidural stimulator and the opportunities it has created for him. Keep an eye on his blog this week for video clips and pictures from the event.
 
Dustin is standing up to make a difference for himself and others. Dustin leads a foundation focused on helping others and participates in a spinal cord study that allows a cutting edge medical device, epidural stimulator, implanted inside of him to a help him stand up and reduce the side effects of paralysis including poor circulation that leads to atrophy, decreased sexual function and bone density loss.

Clothing for a Cause: order your DSF Gear Now!

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Paralysis and Broken Bones

Stand Up Sunday... The Destiny of Bone Density

 

Have you ever broken a bone? Many paralysis patients are destined to break a bone because bone density loss is common for patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Low calcium and other minerals that are lacking are often a cause for bone mineral density (BMD) loss that leads to osteoporosis. Stress and weigh on a bone can cause a fracture, and is a risk Dustin takes as he works out each week. The benefits of working out and standing up far outweigh the risk of breaking a bone. Working out actually reduces the risk of BMD. It makes since to work out, but Dustin must be smart about it. Standing up is risky for a paralysis patient and there are few people in the world that are able to do it. Dustin is one of the lucky few. Dustin works with his epidural stimulator each day so he can better his life and the lives of others by showing how the cutting edge medical technology can benefit others with paralysis. It's Stand Up Sunday- Standing Up to prevent bone density loss.

Dustin continues to keep going and lets little stop him. Dustin is standing up to make a difference for himself and others. Dustin leads a foundation focused on helping others and participates in a spinal cord study that allows a cutting edge medical device, epidural stimulator, implanted inside of him to a help him stand up and reduce the side effects of paralysis including poor circulation that leads to atrophy, decreased sexual function and bone density loss.

Dustin will be in Las Vegas, NV July 30th at the Unstuck 2.0 Conference sharing his story about moving forward and making a difference.  Purchase your ticket to hear Dustin and other great speakers share their stories as they stand up for what they believe in. Use code: Dustin at checkout. It's Stand Up Sunday- What are you gonna do?

Clothing for a Cause: order your DSF Gear Now!

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Stand Up & Buckle Up

Stand Up Sunday...

And Buckle Up Everyday

Today is stand up Sunday- a day to stand for what we believe in. A day that Dustin takes to work towards his goals of walking again. 

Buckle up everyday... Dustin wasn't buckled up and his life change in an instant. Dustin was lucky, though paralyzed from the chest down, he lived through his vehicle accident. Not everyone is so lucky, over 21,000 people died in auto accidents (in 2014). Buckling up saves lives. When Dustin was in his auto accident, he was not buckled up. Vehicle crashes are among the leading cause of deaths in Americans age 1-54 years old. 2.3 million drivers and passengers were injured in auto accidents (in 2014). More than half of the people in motor vehicle crashes who died in accidents (in 2014) were unrestrained. Young adults ages 18-24 are less likely to buckle up as are men and residents in non-metropolitan areas. States with secondary seat belt laws are even less likely to buckle up. How many lives would be different if we were to buckle up...everyday?

Dustin did not let his circumstances of paralysis keep him from moving forward. Dustin is standing up to make a difference for himself and others. Dustin leads a foundation focused on helping others and participates in a spinal cord study that allows a cutting edge medical device, epidural stimulator, implanted inside of him to a help him stand up and reduce the side effects of paralysis including poor circulation that leads to atrophy, decreased sexual function and bone density loss.

Dustin will be in Las Vegas, NV July 30th at the Unstuck 2.0 Conference sharing his story about moving forward and making a difference.  Purchase your ticket to hear Dustin and other great speakers share their stories as they stand up for what they believe in. Use code: Dustin at checkout. It's Stand Up Sunday- What are you gonna do?

Take a look at the new clothing line and order your DSF Gear Now!

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

New Truck with a lift

Lift me Up

Now that I've got a new truck, with a 6 inch lift, it's a little more work to get inside; but I love it!!

Take a look at the new clothing line and order your DSF Gear Now!

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Stand Up for Better Blood Flow

Stand Up Sunday...

Get the blood flowing. Once again it's Sunday. and everyday Dustin chooses to get out of this chair and work towards his goals of being able to walk again. Everyday he gets one day stronger. Everyday he gets one day closer to that goal. Today he's standing up for better blood flow.

Standing up is a big deal for a man with paralysis. Told he would never have feeling or movement below his chest, Dustin has proven doctors wrong.

There are may symptoms paraplegics deal with such as poor circulation, decreased sexual function, and bone density loss. Last week we spoke about one of the symptoms connected to paralysis, muscle atrophy; this week we wanted to share the challenges of a different symptom, lack of blood flow. 

Lack of blood flow and poor circulation, often known as Peripheral Artery Disease, are often associated with paralysis because a paraplegic can not move ones legs on their own and it narrows  and hardens the the arteries in the legs (known as Atherosclerosis), restricting blood flow and potentially leading to risks like stroke, and heart attacks. That's why a good cardiovascular workout is important. Proper movement helps prevent cardiovascular disease, a number one killer of Americans. Surviving a horrific accident was enough, who wants to think about cardiovascular disease.
 
Every day Dustin stands up to better himself and work with the epidural stimulator implanted into his body. By exercising and doing wheelchair workouts Dustin is working towards  preventing these debilitating symptoms and working on his cardiovascular health, and overall health, preparing his body for when there is a cure. Working towards a cure and standing up feels good. Each time Dustin stand, he uses a standing frame to help support his weigh and help with his balance. Dustin has a clothing line that raises funds to help others afford the necessary equipment, that allows him to stand up.  Dustin recently donated a standing frame to help others. 

...Dustin lives a lifestyle that uses his physical paralysis to create a new future and new perspective for something that was once painful. Dustin shares his inspiring story and successes on stages across America at events like the Salt Conference held earlier this year. We are excited to announce that Dustin will be in Las Vegas, as part of the Unstuck Conference, sponsored by Finding Your Happiness July 30th, 2016, where he will share the stage with John Polish, Dale Krause, Darren LaCroix, Rhonda Taylor, Frank Curreri and other great speakers delivering a powerful message about how we each have an opportunity of getting unstuck, and understanding why it is so important, as it reveals the hope and light that will guide us to brighter times if we just decide to not allow "IT" to define us.

For Dustin it's about making a difference not only for himself, but by standing up for others as well. It's Stand Up Sunday- What are you gonna do now to make a difference for your own health and to reach your own goals?
  
Take a look at Dustin's new clothing line and order your DSF Gear now to help support others with paralysis.

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman

Stand Up Against Atrophy

Stand Up Sunday...

Everyday Dustin chooses to get out of this chair and work towards his goals of being able to walk again. Everyday he gets one day stronger. Everyday he gets one day closer to that goal.

You may wonder why standing up is such a big deal. To a paraplegic, that was told he would never have movement below his chest or have the ability to stand again, it means the world. Paralysis comes with it's challenges and one of them is muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy is a decrease in muscle mass, basically a wasting away of the muscles. If Dustin does not get up and move this lower extremities, he will loose all use of the muscles. When you have a spinal cord injury and a goal to one day walk, the though of atrophy is not an option. You must keep moving- and in Dustin's case, standing up!

Other symptoms that are connected to Dustin's paralysis and muscle atrophy are lack of blood flow, poor circulation, decreased sexual function and bone density loss. By exercising, doing wheelchair workouts and standing up, Dustin is working on improving each of these symptoms as well as his cardiovascular health, overall health, and he is preparing his body for when there is a cure. Besides that, Dustin says "Standing up, just feels good!" 

A standing frame helps Dustin with his balance and support his weight. Dustin recently donated a standing frame to help others be able to to do the same. For Dustin it's about making a difference not only for himself, by Standing up for others as well. It's Stand Up Sunday- What are you gonna do now to make a difference for your own health and to reach your own goals?

...Dustin lives a lifestyle that uses his physical paralysis to create a new future and new perspective on something that was once painful. Dustin will be in Las Vegas, as part of the Unstuck Conference, sponsored by Finding Your Happiness July 30th, 2016, where he will share the stage with John Polish and other great speakers delivering a powerful message about how we each have an opportunity to  reveal the hope and light that will guide us to brighter times if we just decide to not allow "IT" to define us.

 
Take a look at Dustin's new clothing line and order your DSF Gear now to help support others with paralysis.

Check out my video and learn more about what The Dustin Shillcox Foundation is all about. It's about improving the moment.

I can Turn Myself on... Watch the  video to see how the stimulator implanted inside of me works.

 Dustin Shillcox’s life drastically changed when he was in a car accident August 2010 and sustained major spinal cord damage, a broken upper arm, collapsed lungs, broken ribs, cracked sternum & mild brain injury. Dustin’s complete T-5 spinal cord injury (SCI) left him with no feeling below his mid-chest, causing paralysis from the chest down.

Now paralyzed, and living his life in a wheel chair, Dustin was told he would never again be able to move below his waist again, but after participating in a cutting edge SCI research project, at the University of Kentucky in Louisville, he is now able to move his legs and stand once again. Dustin is living his life to the fullest, sharing his story, journey of overcoming obstacles, and faith while raising funds for spinal cord research. Through his motivational speaking and the Dustin Shillcox Foundation, he is helping to improve the lives of people in wheelchairs.

Dustin delivers an inspiring message about never giving up, and the power of a positive attitude in his speech "What Are You Gonna Do Now?" Inquire about Dustin's availability to speak at your next business meeting, conference, charity event, school, church or graduation event. If you are looking to inspire your crowd to overcome personal challenges, and motivate into action, Dustin needs to be your next call! 307.870.6764

written by Nickel Lowman