Yes to Global Perspective
I loved the geographic breadth and depth that Ian Ruder worked into the local biographies in your global access cover story [“Changing Global Access,” August 2014]. I am extremely pleased to see NM expanding to a global perspective in this very person-centered approach. Starting with the macro scope from Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo’s years of experience, and including Emily Rose Yates as she ventures into the field with her Brazilian jaunt, you found a few of the stars out there doing amazing stuff.
Scott Rains
San Jose, California

Come Visit
This is a lovely article about the wonderful places around Sonoma to visit [“Fall Colors of California,” August 2014]. I’m originally from this area and I love being able to share with people how incredible it is to see the amazing valleys, forests and coast of Northern California. I hope giving people an idea of accessible places they can visit will encourage them to drive up north away from the busy Southern California areas.
Deborah Gregson
Greensboro, North Carolina

Sonoma, Yes — SFO, No
I am a C4-5 quad, and my now wife and I were married last October in Santa Rosa with a reception in a vineyard in the Russian River Valley [“Fall Colors of California”]. The rehearsal dinner was held at one of the many accessible tasting rooms just off the square in Healdsburg. I have tested many of the county’s wineries, for accessibility of course, and had no trouble anywhere. Some steep drives, though. All of the wineries, virgin Redwood forest with accessible paths throughout the forest floor, and seaside stretches that are beautiful and have cliff-clinging restaurants (River’s End in Jenner, for example) make Sonoma an incredibly liberating place to visit. Beware SFO, though. Hour-long waits for chair retrieval are the norm due to an airport layout that results in your chair passing out of security checks, then going back through before it gets to you.
DS, via newmobility.com

Iconic Dan
Dan Buchanan is an awesome performer and a true gentleman [“Dan Buchanan — Flying High, Shooting Sparks,” August 2014]. I have been associated with the air show industry for 15 years and he is a true icon. Not only that, he takes time to be nice to people. He welcomed my parents when we interrupted him preparing his materials for the International Council of Air Shows convention and spent time he did not really have to talk with them.
R Curtis McNeil
University of Dayton School of Law

Hawaii Adventure
I read with great interest the story on traveling while using a wheelchair [“Discovering the San Juan Islands,” June 2014]. My husband and I took our son to Oahu last month as a “celebration vacation” for all the progress he has made in the last year or so. He was critically injured in a crash seven years ago (26 years old at the time) when his friend fell asleep at the wheel. Coming from a coma, brain traumas, numerous surgeries, an amputation at the knee, and years of physical therapy … he was ready for a celebration! We all were! I am an incurable organizer, so I researched activities my son would be able to enjoy. I came across AccesSurf, a group that takes folks with developmental disabilities, amputees and wounded warriors out to surf in the Pacific, in Hawaii. It was an absolutely amazing experience for us all. I’ve made it my mission to try and promote this group whenever I can. They charge nothing for the experience, and are a nonprofit organization.
Valerie Misch
Pollock Pines, California

Glad I’m Not the Only One
I was injured in 1966 (L1-2) and until I read this [“Aging with SCI: Good News, Bad News,” August 2014], I was of the impression I was unique. No one around with an SCI injury for this many years. I was told as a child not to expect to live beyond my early 30s. I am now 55. Reading this lends a bit of optimism. That said, times are getting tougher. No doubt about it. Skin issues. Antibiotic resistances. Not to mention an osteo a few years ago that largely cooked my mobility goose. The biggie for me is weight. Even riding a bike regularly, I find 900 calories per day the limit above which I gain weight. This is the most frustrating part of aging.
Dave, via newmobility.com

Unhealthy Model Posture?
Loved the article and fashion tips [“Six Fashion Tips for Wheelchair Users,” Tiffiny Carlson’s newmobility.com blog, August 1, 2014]. All of the women were crossing their legs, which I understand is not healthy for pressure or circulation. Is this photo shoot encouraging a sexy look that might not be healthy for young spinal cord injured women? As someone who just marked her 40th year as a woman with an SCI, I would hope you would model healthier posture.
Marian Vessels
Ellicot City, Maryland