Monday Motivation- Stand in Faith

Stand In Faith...

You may take standing up for granted; for a  paraplegic, standing is not an easy task, and even impossible for most! But, I've been lucky enough to participate in a cutting edge medical experiment to help people like me do just that. It gives me hope, but more than that, I have faith in my ability to walk again! (Standing is just one step closer to that goal of getting out of this wheelchair.)  What is going to motivate you today... What are you gonna do now?

 

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

Reeve Big Idea- Epidural Stimulation Study

"Imagine sitting in a chair never able to move again"

 

Ground Breaking- Epidural Stimulation Study makes movement and feeling possible once again...

Dustin Shillcox, paraplegic, motivational speaker, and Reeve research participant, is excited to have been invited to the upcoming Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation private reception event on Sunday, September 27th, 2015. Dustin has been asked to briefly share his story of how he was once told he would never have movement below his chest after a horrific car accident and today he is standing and moving his legs once again. Dustin is one of 4 participants in the epidural stimulation study seeing, feeling and experiencing the effects of the ground breaking medical study. The Reeve Foundation is looking to grow the study and help others. Take a look at the heartwarming video:

 

 

Donate now:

 www.ReeveBigIdea.org

#JoinReeve

Follow Dustin and his story through social media or his blog at:

https://dustinshillcox.blogspot.com

written by Nickel Lowman

Everyday is a Second Chance!

What are you gonna do now? 

I'm Dustin.... If you woke up this morning and are reading this, you have a second chance. In fact, "Everyday is a second chance." I woke up in the hospital 5 years ago with my second chance. I am the way I am, paralyzed, but with a second chance. Today, I'm working towards my second chance of learning to stand and walk again. Thanks to cutting edge spinal cord injury research, there is a second chance for others because of Christopher Reeve's  "dream of a world with empty wheelchairs." It's my goal and mission in life to create second chances by "improving the lives of people in wheelchairs, raising money for spinal cord research and giving hope to those affected by spinal cord injuries" through my foundation, The Dustin Shillcox Foundation.

 

Learn more about Dustin's story and take a look at what the Reeve Foundation is doing in honor of Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month...

The Reeve Foundation unveils a 115-square foot display window today at 10 Rockefeller Plaza. Symbol of Christopher's dream that millions may walk again.
The window space, which was donated by EHE International, will prominently feature Christopher Reeve's wheelchair throughout September, which is Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month, to help generate awareness of spinal cord injury and paralysis and inspire and galvanize passersby to support the Reeve Foundation's work.

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

Who's your Superman??

We all have heroes in our lives; the ones we look up to, and who keep us motivated and pushing forward. For me, I have a lot of people that I look up to and who won't let me give up, no matter how rough it gets!! One person in particular is Christopher Reeve, this is a guy that I've never met before, but I have had the privilege to work with his foundation. The amazing things the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation is doing and have done has given me more drive, belief in myself and  for the future of people in wheelchairs! I have had a great opportunity to be a part of research program for spinal cord injuries and at first the only goal in my mind was to get up out of this wheelchair and walk again. As I've been a part of the research project, I have seen great progress and have realized that my goals not only to walk again, but it's more important to me, that we all do this together. 

 

Christopher Reeve said "I dream of a world with empty wheelchairs."

I'm going to keep pushing forward and doing everything I can to inspire others and help get us closer to the dream that Christopher Reeve had. Who are the heroes in your life? It's important to let them know how they make you feel and keep pushing forward. Remember: gratitude is an attitude. I am thankful for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation and everyone who works there; they are doing great things and bettering people's lives!
-Dustin

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

Paraplegic Making Medical History

Ask Dr. Nandi Medical TV Show...

Dustin Shillcox, a paraplegic implanted with an epidural stimulation device  is scheduled to head out to Wixom, Michigan this weekend to record an episode on the Ask Dr. Nandi Medical TV Show, a Detroit based public television station.  Dustin is excited to share about his experience and life changing opportunity to be a part of the medical breakthrough that has helped him stand and start to gain movement back in his lower extremities after being told he would never have feeling again from the chest down because of the horrific accident that left him as a paraplegic. There are only 6 people in the world with this cutting edge medical research opportunity. Dustin is currently training for the New York Marathon and is sharing his  motivational story to help others find their faith in the ability to also defy the odds of medicine. The Ask Dr. Nandi TV show airs nationally to 85 million homes in 79 countries. Dustin says life is more than being in a wheelchair, It's about  "Improving the lives of people in wheelchairs, raising money for spinal cord research and giving hope to those affected by spinal cord injuries."

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

Why Stay Fit??

What does it matter if we stay fit?

Doing the things I love range from snowmobiling, camping, hanging out with friends, taking out the wild cat, boating, swimming and other such outdoor sports. A lot of the activities I do, aren't accessible from a wheelchair, so in addition to my upper body strength, I count on my friends and family to help out.

I find it's important for me to have a good diet and exercise regularly not only for my heath, but to keep in good shape. When I am with my friends, we often come across places that don't have ramps or an elevator (they are not wheelchair accessible), and sometimes friends have to pick me up and carry me to where we need to be. It's often up to me to help out and use the strength I do have, so that I'm not dead weight. An example of when I would need help is when we are out at the lake on our boats, I need help getting from the water back into the boat or onto the dock.( If you haven't ready my 4th of July boating experience, it's a must read and good for a laugh.)

If you want to enjoy life and do activities that take help from someone else (to get you from places to place) it makes things much easier if you keep yourself in good shape. I often encourage others to work out as well, after all, I may need their help. It helps when we all stay fit. Take a look at some of my wheelchair workouts, this one shows me doing pull ups...
-Dustin

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

Life as a paraplegic-The funny things that happen...

4th of July problem

This summer on the 4th of July, my family and I went to Bear Lake for a family reunion. The plan was to take my brother's boat out on the lake Saturday, for some fishing and relaxing in the sun. There was about nine people on his boat when I got on board and we headed out with music on and it was a beautiful day!! 

We stopped the boat so just float, so we jump in the water to cool off and chill for a little while. I jumped off the side of the boat and enjoyed swimming in the nice cool blue water. Iit felt great, but when it was time for me to get out, that's when I had my problem. 

Usually, when I get out of the water, my friends and family help me onto the swim deck and then into the boat. This time when I was getting out of the water, I hadn't realized, but my swim shorts a had fallen off! There was nothing covering me. And in my defense, the water was cold!! Anyway, they helped back into the boat and put a towel over me and that's how I spent the rest of the afternoon (because no one ever takes an extra pair of shorts with them boating)! 

Lesson of the day: make sure your shorts are tied tight before getting in the water.
-Dustin
 

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