Massage Round 2- Spa Day

Take Two: Taking time for myself

My friends asked me if I'd like to try the spa with them, so I did. After my first experience with a massage, I guessed that I had everything figured out. (If you haven't read about it yet, I encourage you to, it was a funny experience.) Well, this time, I learned another lesson; this time it was more that just a massage, I was at a spa.

When we got to the spa, they all ordered a massage for an hour and half and I only wanted an hour. I said, "I can hangout in men's locker room and wait for you all," because they had a hot tub, steam room and sauna.

My massage went great, and then I decided while I'm waiting for the others I was going to set in the steam room. There was no one in locker room besides me, so I went up front and I asked the guy at the front deck if he could follow me into the steam room and take my wheelchair out. He said it was no problem and followed me into the steam room; I asked if he'd bring my wheelchair back to me in 7 to 10 minutes.

I'm setting in the steam room and all I'm wearing is a towel around my waist and then the steamers kick on. I wasn't in there for more then two minutes and the steam was thick that I couldn't see a foot in front of me. Now I'm starting to get claustrophobic. I laid my head down and I'm breathing into my hand trying to stay calm and hope that the guy comes back with my wheelchair.

Finally, I decided it's time to get out, I took my towel off, through it on the ground, so I could transfer to it and drag myself out. Just as soon as I through my towel on the floor the door opens. That guy comes in with my wheelchair as I sat on the bench naked!! He's probably thinking what a freak!!

So my lesson this time is, I'm not going into a steam room or anything unless someone is with me. Hopefully the next time I'm getting a massage or at a spa I won't end up naked in front of people!!

Speaking about being properly clothed, have you checked out my new clothing line? 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

Elevator or Stairs??

Wheelchair Accessible...Keep Rollin' Rollin' Rollin' Rollin'

We are at choice... Sometimes it seems that we choose the easy option; today I was at the Zoo in Fort Worth with my sister Nicole, and I decided to try things a little different.

Everywhere we went at the zoo had ramps or some kind of accessibility for my wheelchair, but I know "the world" is not set up like that. It got me thinking... When I’m out in public, try and do things differently, as that might be the only choice in a different setting. Today, I practice taking the stairs. Not every attempt was pretty, but it was a great learning experience!!!  "What are you gonna do now?"- 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

Fueling up!!!

A cold perspective...

Today I was driving, and like everyone else, it was time for me to stop and fill up with gas. It doesn't bother me to fill up, it just takes me a little longer than most (being in a wheelchair and all). 

Filling your car up with gas is something that most people take for granted, because of how easy it is (for most people with working feet & legs). I'm not complaining at all, it's awesome that I still have the ability to do it; even when its a little bit more difficult (and cold).

It was 10 degrees outside today and the wind was blowing when it was time to fill up. We have to (or get to) take whatever challenges we are faced with, and do whatever it takes to make things possible!

Who ever considers if a gas station is wheelchair accessible. One more reason to keep the faith, and  and be grateful for my progress with the epidural stimulator after my spinal cord injury.

-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

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