For all our friends in the CURE NATION, we hope you’ll enjoy and share this photo collage of people who are enjoying life and exploring the world. These adventurers also happen to have Spina Bifida!

While October may be Spina Bifida Awareness Month, we know like you do that Spina Bifida education goes so much further than that, and so do people who are born with this congenital condition.

The pictures below, and their stories, are courtesy of the 2018 Wheels UP! Photo Contest hosted by SPORTS ‘N SPOKES magazine, Cure Medical, Abilities Expo and the Spina Bifida Association. Enjoy!

JOE GOES SKYDIVING

Joe Slaninka is 47 years old and was born with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. This New York native didn’t look back as he jumped out of the airplane for a little Tandem Sky Diving.

KAYLIE MAE ENJOYS THE RAIN

This is Kaylie Mae! She is 2 years old and has Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus. This picture was taken at Myrtle Beach on a family vacation during a rainy day. Even with everything in her life she has faced, she will NOT even let a little rain stop her from having fun in her homemade wheelchair!

BEN MITCHELL LOVES TO RACE

Proud mom Jennifer Mitchell writes, “This is my son, Ben, just before his race on August 11, 2018. He is 14 years old and has spina bifida.

We’ve been participating in Spina Bifida Wisconsin’s annual Sprint for Spina Bifida since Ben was three years old. A couple of years ago, he joined his school track team and began participating in 5K races in his regular wheelchair.

It was a challenge for him, given that his regular wheelchair is heavy and not very stable at higher speeds. He worked twice as hard to come in last place, yet he persisted. Last year, he received a loaner racing wheelchair, and has become significantly more competitive.

At the Sprint for Spina Bifida this year, he achieved a PR and earned a silver medal in his age group. This kid has never let his physical limitations limit him. His determination and grit have enabled him to accomplish more than we ever thought possible, and we are so proud of him!”

DELMACE ENJOYS ADAPTIVE WINDSURFING

Delmace Mayo is an up and coming WCMX star, but that’s not the only sport he enjoys! Here he is learning adaptive windsurfing.

VICKI SCALES THE WALL

Vicki Loffelmann may have spina bifida but she certainly doesn’t have a fear of heights! She loves “That feeling you get when you’ve climbed to the top of the 25-foot wall! Location: Stronghold Climbing Gym-Adaptive Club, Los Angeles, CA.

AMANDA DISCOVERS THE OCEAN DOWN BELOW

Amanda writes, “This picture was taken in April 2018 at sportsability at Maclay Gardens State Park in Tallahassee, Florida. In the picture I am about to go scuba diving. In the picture you can see me in the middle in the wheelchair. I was born with spina bifida and am paralyzed from the waist down.

On the right you see Gabrielle Gabrielli with one of her co-workers, Craig Bryan. Gabrielle is the owner of Life Worth Leading, a nonprofit organization based in Tallahassee, Florida. Life Worth Leading uses SCUBA as a way to help improve leadership skills, get people out of their comfort zones, build self-confidence, increase communication skills, improve emotional intelligence, build problem solving skills, and more.”

Thanks again to everyone who participated in the 2018 Wheels UP! event, brought to you by SPORTS ‘N SPOKES, Cure Medical, Abilities Expo and the Spina Bifida Association.

Stay tuned to SPORTS ‘N SPOKES magazine as they will announce the contest winners in their November 2018 issue. Visit their site here.

SEE MORE OF THE AMAZING PHOTOS SUBMITTED BY WHEELS UP! CONTEST PARTICIPANTS HERE.

And don’t forget to get our free Wheels UP! Accessible Travel Guide for travel ideas across the United States too.

Download your free copy here.

VIDEO: TRY THE PEDIATRIC HYDROPHILIC CURE CATHETER®

The sterile, single use, Pediatric Hydrophilic Cure Catheter® is not made with any scary chemicals like DEHP, BPA or Natural Rubber Latex.

Designed especially for kids and their concerned parents, this easy-to-use, water-lubricated catheter is not made with any scary chemicals like DEHP, BPA or natural rubber latex.

The new Pediatric Hydrophilic Cure Catheter® is affordable and offers all the convenience of a ready-to-use catheter, without the stains or mess.

To request free samples of the Pediatric Hydrophilic Cure Catheter® or any Cure Medical catheter, contact your local distributor of quality healthcare products, or click here.

FREE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR GIRLS & BOYS

In addition to the new Pediatric Hydrophilic Cure Catheter®, Cure Medical is offering a free EDUCATION PROGRAM developed by nurses that parents can use to teach their children ‘How To Cath’ using fun, instruction tools like:

Backpacks in blue and pink with no logos — for discretion at school or away from home,
Flash cards for boys and girls that also include steps for cathing with or without stomas
Coloring books with crayons, a complimentary toy – and more!

Contact us to request your free backpack with educational materials to help your child learn the steps for self-cathing.

You can request a sample of the Pediatric Hydrophilic Cure Catheter®. When you do, an option will appear allowing you to add an educational backpack to your order.

Enjoy Our Free Resources & Articles

CURE NATION is designed with you in mind, to offer assistance and education when you need it through a personal support program.

All of the information you find below and on our related social media pages is meant to guide you to places, topics and resources that enhance your life, while also connecting you with a growing group of friends.