May 2018

On April 11 I celebrated my 15th "re-birth-day." For me, this re-birth signifies the anniversary of my injury. I'll be honest: this particular anniversary is one that I have always feared. It meant that I had been a wheelchair user for over half of my life and for some reason that scared me. Knowing that this date was approaching, I had a revelation at the end of 2017 that I needed to start taking better care of myself.

In 2007, Karen Toennis received an unexpected phone call. On the other end of the line was Dr. Stanley Appel, the neurologist who cared for Karen's husband, Mike, during his 13-year battle with ALS. They had not spoken since Mike's passing the year before, but Dr. Appel had a question for Karen.

We've compiled a list of 10 of the best vacation spots with accessible transportation, accommodations, and exciting activities for every type of traveler. Whether you like shopping, history, culture, cuisine, or thrilling adventures, these cities offer unique and interesting experiences for all.

I grew up in a military family. My grandfather served in World War II and my father served for 25 years in the United States Air Force. During my childhood, my dad was stationed throughout the world. We lived in Virginia, Guam, Texas, and England. I was able to meet numerous people from different backgrounds and I learned about different cultures. I had wanted to join the military since I was around 11 years old, but I wasn't sure what I actually wanted to do.