NTS

03/16/2026

Memories that will last a lifetime. 🇺🇸
Huge congratulations to the United States Men's National Para Ice Hockey Team for capturing gold at the Winter Paralympic Games. Moments like this showcase the dedication, resilience, and incredible talent of adaptive athletes competing on the world stage.

03/16/2026

The countdown is on for the 2026 Special Olympics Texas Summer Games in Melissa, Texas! Athletes and delegations from across the state will come together April 30–May 2 for an incredible celebration of determination, teamwork, and inclusion.
The Special Olympics Athlete Oath says it best: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” Wishing all competitors the best as they prepare to give it their all! 💪🏅

03/16/2026

Even though Read Across America Day has passed, it’s always the perfect time to celebrate the power of reading. Stories help students explore new perspectives, build empathy, and see how sport can create confidence and a strong sense of community.
These kinds of books are wonderful tools for read-alouds, classroom discussions, book clubs, or independent reading activities that encourage inclusion and understanding.
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It’s Read Across America Day!

Stories help students explore new perspectives, build empathy, and understand how sport can create confidence and community.

These titles can be used for read-alouds, book clubs, or independent classroom activities.

03/16/2026

Looking to sell your accessible vehicle? 🚗💨 We make it simple with nationwide buying—no matter where you are! Fast, hassle-free, and stress-free! Call Monty today at 972-400-8125!

03/13/2026

The story of Johnny Kennicott, lead singer of Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys, is a powerful reminder of resilience and innovation. After a diving accident left him a C6 quadriplegic at age 12, he taught himself how to adapt his body to sing and play harmonica—literally using his body like an accordion to create sound.
Stories like this show the incredible determination within the disability community and the power of finding new ways to keep doing what you love.

The amazing Johnny Kennicott. A C6 quadriplegic, he is a blues singer and harmonica player from Washington and the lead singer of Johnny Wheels and the Swamp Donkeys, a blues-rock band known for their energetic shows throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Paralyzed at 12 years old in a diving accident, Kennicott is the son of a traveling bass player and singer who inspired him before his untimely death when Kennicott was just six years old.

"I have very little use of my diaphragm and no stomach muscles at all. If I were laid flat on my back, I’d be stuck there like a fish out of water.

In these photos, I’m showing something in the disability world called “hooking” — or the hook.

Hooking is when I throw my arm back and use gravity to hook around the push handle of my wheelchair. It becomes a tool to keep me from falling forward on my face.
But I didn’t stop there.

I taught myself — because there was no handbook for this s**t. Still isn’t. I’m it.

I learned how to use that same motion to push and pull on my stomach, forcing air out of my lungs to create different sounds, tones, and volumes with my voice.

I’m literally using my body like an accordion — stretching out, collapsing inward, forcing air in and out.

What you’re seeing is the equivalent of a marathon or a boxing match on my body.
Every night, I go to war with myself just to sing and play harmonica — without the same tools everyone else takes for granted."

Watch his short motivational video:
https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/a74yZVVVybK

Watch him perform at the Poulsbo Blues & Jazz Fest 2026:
https://spinalpedia.com/community/video/OvzDaVV71rQ

03/13/2026

Day 7 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games is packed with action! Fourteen gold medals will be decided across Para Alpine, Para Biathlon, Para Snowboard, and Wheelchair Curling, along with intense Para Ice Hockey semifinals. The competition keeps getting better as these amazing athletes push the limits of what’s possible.