We are excited to introduce a new blogger to our crew! Please welcome Scott Chesney, motivational speaker and avid EasyStand user!

One of those areas of transformation that you may be thinking about, putting off, or actually in the process of turning into a reality is becoming a parent. For those people out there who may have a disability and are yearning to have a child, as I was in my 20s, I am hopeful that you believe that anything is possible, whether it is physically possible for you to mother or father a child and/or raise a child if you have a disability. While parenting is an entirely unique world, and again it is not for everyone, something tells me that if you can manage your disability, you will find a way to raise a child. Maybe you are one who needs assistance managing your disability on a daily basis. Well, you may also need help in raising your child on a daily basis. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Unconditional love is the main ingredient for parenting, so look within and ask yourself if you have what it takes. Something tells me that if your heart is yearning to be a parent, then you have what it takes.

In my world (the world of a wheelchair using spinal cord injury quadriplegic) access, accessibility, and accommodations are key elements to leveling the playing field so that I can continue to be an active and productive member of society. That's why I'm not a fan of a recent legislative-accessibility-accommodation-disability trend that has started to gain some momentum over the past year: providing handicapped accessible parking privileges for able-bodied women who are pregnant. To be clear, I'm by no means trying to be controversial by picking on the pregnant ladies out there: you deserve a hell of a lot of credit for living through the nine month's worth of physical struggles that you endure. But in instances where legislators make it ok for able-bodied people to use handicapped parking, when even I can't use it all the time because so many able-bodied people abuse the system, it makes it extra frustrating. In general, I'm pro-accommodations but count me out as an anti-fan of this one.

Do you ever get the feeling that you're not drinking enough water? I get that feeling every day. It goes like this - no matter how hard I try, the 8 glasses/day requirement is as elusive to my completed daily task list as is my goal to finish dusting. When you're not feeling it, you're just not feeling it. And folks, I just wasn't born thirsty. So when my doctors pounded into my head - DRINK TIFFINY, DRINK - I knew I was in for an epic struggle. After failing pretty much right away, I began to hunt for a viable solution; something that would be almost as good as water, and something I could tolerate (and maybe actually like).

Are you big fans of our frequent bloggers Tiff Carlson and Shawn Dean? If so then you must listen to Tiff's newest podcast No Free Rides episode #72: Coping and dating with quad Shawn Dean!

Recently our EasyStand distributors in Canada shared this very uplifting letter with us, that they received from a customer. With Randi's permission, we are inspired to share her expressive words with others, with the hope that standing may help others with Multiple Sclerosis or other mobility related disabilities. "Thank you so much for allowing me a two week trial for the EasyStand Evolv. It has brought me great physical comfort and emotional improvement. I suffer from Multiple Sclerosis and am dealing with severe spasticity and neuropathic pain on a daily basis. After suffering a debilitating attack in 2008 I could no longer walk, stand nor transfer without the support of a turning disc. I became physically incapacitated and emotionally distraught. For years I was basically bedridden and wheelchair bound until I discovered the EasyStand Evolv . . ."

In this article Katie Hohman, PT, DPT, writes about two clients, John and Melissa, with very different diagnoses. She explains their progress in physical therapy and overall improvement in function since beginning regular weight bearing in a stander. Melissa has progressed from being wheelchair dependent, to becoming ambulatory with a therapist's assist. John was able to decrease his lower extremity spasticity and improve upper extremity function. No matter how an individual becomes a full-time wheelchair user, they are more prone to health complications due to the inability to stand and weight bear through their legs. Sit-to-stand devices provide these individuals the opportunity to dramatically reduce risk factors related to inactivity and improve their overall quality of life.