My friend Melissa Sino is currently setting the bowling-pace for power wheelchair users with Cerebral Palsy. Her high score (see below) is tops in both the Cerebral Palsy category and the "head control" driving method category. I have to explain Melissa's comment after stating her high score below... since technically I'm the co-inventor of the IKAN Bowler, I've bowled with it quite a bit; so I should be good with it, plus I'm naturally competitive (I was the first IKAN User to break 200 in bowling). My Dad knows all of these things, so he offered a standing $20 reward to any IKAN User who can beat my top score of the afternoon (not my current high game of 206, just the best of the usual 3, 4, or 5 games I bowl with the Quad Squad). My Dad calls it "ego control" and, I admit, it does make bowling even more fun and challenging with the friendly competition. And yes, as Melissa says below, she did indeed beat me one afternoon and collected the $20 reward! :-)
Name: Melissa Sino
Age: 21 (22 soon!:)
Location: Central Florida (Celebration)
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Cerebral Palsy (quadriplegic, augmented communicator)
Onset or Injury Date: Birth
Wheelchair Operation Method: Proximity head array
High Bowling Score: 169 and BEAT Bill one time & won $20! :-)
Approx Bowling Average: 125
Typical Range of Scores: 90-140
Bowling Frequency: One to two times per month usually with the Central Florida Quad Squad
Bowling Ball(s): 16 lb Brunswick Zone, non-drilled (fluorescent colors swirl = Christmas gift from cousins) [Bill, here, I have to add that I think bowling with an undrilled ball is MORE difficult than a drilled ball; it works for Melissa, but I bowled terribly with an undrilled ball, so to me, that makes Melissa's bowling more impressive!]
Quote from Melissa: "Happiness is a Choice -- Life is Supposed to be FUN!!!"
I absolutely love your quote, thank you Melissa!
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 206 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com/
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
Friday, February 29, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Working 2 Walk -- How To Help
This blog is aimed at spreading awareness about how people with high level paralysis can experience -- and are experiencing -- a better quality of life, primarily through the fun, social, and competitive aspects that participating in a sport can provide. Bowling and/or playing power soccer can improve life now -- but, longterm... we still need science, medicine, and the Good Lord's blessing (which I believe we have) to develop therapies that restore significant function and "cure" paralysis.
With the passing of Christopher Reeve in 2004, we lost the "face" and most ardent advocate for paralysis and spinal cord injury (SCI) research. Instead of just one person trying to fill his mammoth shoes, those of us in the paralysis community who wish to see a cure sooner rather than later, we all need to do our part to help bring truly beneficial therapies to fruition ASAP. That's the vision that led to the formation of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP), a group with whom I'm proud to associate. U2FP, working with the Christopher Reeve Foundation, held the inaugural Working 2 Walk (W2W) Science and Advocacy Symposium in 2006 and another successful event in 2007.
The 3rd annual Working 2 Walk, 2008, is being held in Washington DC April 13-15 and is "... a 3-day event for leaders in the paralysis community who want to advocate for a cure, including family members, supporters, scientists, therapists, and anyone interested in joining this critical effort. The event focuses on education and empowerment to become effective advocates."
Really, anyone can help. If you have a SCI, and can go to Washington DC for the three days, please consider doing so (see links to more info below). Anyone else who is reading this can let their elected officials (the ones in Washington DC) know that you support passing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA), which will provide much-needed infrastructure for bringing about legitimate therapies AND help improve quality of life for people currently living with paralysis. It does NOT have anything to do with using "controversial" embryonic stem cells.
For more information, checkout the below links.
http://www.working2walk.org/
http://www.unite2fightparalysis.org/
THANKS -- and God bless!
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 206 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com/
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
With the passing of Christopher Reeve in 2004, we lost the "face" and most ardent advocate for paralysis and spinal cord injury (SCI) research. Instead of just one person trying to fill his mammoth shoes, those of us in the paralysis community who wish to see a cure sooner rather than later, we all need to do our part to help bring truly beneficial therapies to fruition ASAP. That's the vision that led to the formation of Unite 2 Fight Paralysis (U2FP), a group with whom I'm proud to associate. U2FP, working with the Christopher Reeve Foundation, held the inaugural Working 2 Walk (W2W) Science and Advocacy Symposium in 2006 and another successful event in 2007.
The 3rd annual Working 2 Walk, 2008, is being held in Washington DC April 13-15 and is "... a 3-day event for leaders in the paralysis community who want to advocate for a cure, including family members, supporters, scientists, therapists, and anyone interested in joining this critical effort. The event focuses on education and empowerment to become effective advocates."
Really, anyone can help. If you have a SCI, and can go to Washington DC for the three days, please consider doing so (see links to more info below). Anyone else who is reading this can let their elected officials (the ones in Washington DC) know that you support passing the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act (CDRPA), which will provide much-needed infrastructure for bringing about legitimate therapies AND help improve quality of life for people currently living with paralysis. It does NOT have anything to do with using "controversial" embryonic stem cells.
For more information, checkout the below links.
http://www.working2walk.org/
http://www.unite2fightparalysis.org/
THANKS -- and God bless!
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 206 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com/
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
Monday, December 31, 2007
Smother Movie Trailer (Has IKAN Bowler in It)
Hi all!
I still don't know when the movie Smother will be released in theaters, or if it will go straight to video, but below is the trailer (movie preview) for it. With Diane Keaton and Liv Tyler (two of Hollywood's A-list in my opinion) I would think it would be released in theaters. But, anyway, our wheelchair bowling device, the IKAN Bowler, is attached to a three-wheeled scooter (scooter bowling, anyone?:) and makes an appearance at the 1:44 point of the trailer. As a word of caution, the movie is R-rated and the trailer is probably PG-13 (although children probably wouldn't pickup on the innuendo)...
I still don't know when the movie Smother will be released in theaters, or if it will go straight to video, but below is the trailer (movie preview) for it. With Diane Keaton and Liv Tyler (two of Hollywood's A-list in my opinion) I would think it would be released in theaters. But, anyway, our wheelchair bowling device, the IKAN Bowler, is attached to a three-wheeled scooter (scooter bowling, anyone?:) and makes an appearance at the 1:44 point of the trailer. As a word of caution, the movie is R-rated and the trailer is probably PG-13 (although children probably wouldn't pickup on the innuendo)...
Click HERE for the direct YouTube link.
Click HERE for five things to know about power wheelchair bowling!
Friday, November 30, 2007
IKAN User Profile: Jeff Parker, Florida
My buddy, and fellow Central Florida Quad Squad Bowler, Jeff Parker is this month's profile. Bowling wise, Jeff sets the pace for bowlers with Muscular Dystrophy; his high score (mentioned with his below profile) is the current record for bowlers with MD. Jeff has a zest for life; he loves having fun and loves watching NASCAR (his favorite driver is Tony Stewart). A while back, Jeff said that bowling with the IKAN Bowler "is an absolute blast, the most fun I’ve had in a long time." And it really didn't surprise me when he added a touch of NASCAR/Tony Stewart to his IKAN Bowler, by having some friends paint a special black finish with orange, razor-edged flames on the sides his IKAN Bowler! :-)
Here's Jeff's profile, and pictures are below...
~~~~~
Name: Jeff Parker
Age: 37
Location: Lady Lake, FL
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Onset or Injury Date: I was diagnosed in 1975 and have been in a wheelchair for 25 years.
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joystick operated
High Bowling Score: 172
Approximate Bowling Average: 135
Typical Range of Scores: 100-150
Bowling Frequency: Generally once a month when our Central Florida Quad Squad bowls at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages, but I do occasionally go to Classique Lanes when Quad Squad bowling is there in Tavares. [Ok, Bill here interjecting this comment... what readers don't know is Jeff likes to talk some trash when he's bowling, so I'm going to throw some back here: "Come on Jeff, Spanish Springs is 5 minutes from your house -- you gotta bowl more often if you're gonna beat me more than once in a blue moon at Quad Squad outings!!!" :-)]
Bowling Ball(s): Columbia White Dot but I’m looking for a new one.
Quote from Jeff: "Life is too short; live each day to the fullest!"
~~~~~
Thanks for sharing and being a good sport Jeff! :-)
Click HERE for two videos and a slideshow of two Quad Squad outings (before Jeff got his flames on his Bowler) and here's the pictures of his new paint job...
Here's Jeff's profile, and pictures are below...
~~~~~
Name: Jeff Parker
Age: 37
Location: Lady Lake, FL
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Onset or Injury Date: I was diagnosed in 1975 and have been in a wheelchair for 25 years.
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joystick operated
High Bowling Score: 172
Approximate Bowling Average: 135
Typical Range of Scores: 100-150
Bowling Frequency: Generally once a month when our Central Florida Quad Squad bowls at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages, but I do occasionally go to Classique Lanes when Quad Squad bowling is there in Tavares. [Ok, Bill here interjecting this comment... what readers don't know is Jeff likes to talk some trash when he's bowling, so I'm going to throw some back here: "Come on Jeff, Spanish Springs is 5 minutes from your house -- you gotta bowl more often if you're gonna beat me more than once in a blue moon at Quad Squad outings!!!" :-)]
Bowling Ball(s): Columbia White Dot but I’m looking for a new one.
Quote from Jeff: "Life is too short; live each day to the fullest!"
~~~~~
Thanks for sharing and being a good sport Jeff! :-)
Click HERE for two videos and a slideshow of two Quad Squad outings (before Jeff got his flames on his Bowler) and here's the pictures of his new paint job...
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
IKAN User Profile: Jon Musgrave, Colorado
I've mentioned Jon Musgrave in some previous blog entries. Jon is the world record holder for dynamic bowling by a wheelchair user. When he got an IKAN Bowler, he bowled 3-5 days per week for more than a year, and wrote: "Who could have thought that one thing could change a person's life so much. I have something that I'm good at to look forward to enjoying every day; something I can share with my family and friends. I can tell you this for sure, my life has not been the same since I got my IKAN Bowler®."
See below to find out more...
~~~~~
Name: Jon Musgrave
Age: 36
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Spinal Cord Injury C4-5
Onset or Injury Date: April 19, 1991
Wheelchair Operation Method: powerchair joystick
High Bowling Score: 243 <-- World Record (see scoresheet HERE:)
Approximate Bowling Average: 165
Typical Range of Scores: 130-214 (like Bill, I'm also not the most consistent:)
Bowling Frequency: Lately on Monday nights with my 10 year old son in a league, and I try to go once or twice a week. My 243 is good, but I want to be the first to bowl 300! :-)
Bowling Ball(s): First ball is a Hurricane; second (for spares) is a Columbia White Dot
Quote from Jon: "Bowling is a great way to take your mind away from everything and just be happy."
~~~~~
Thanks for sharing Jon! :-)
Click HERE for five things to know about power wheelchair bowling!
See below to find out more...
~~~~~
Name: Jon Musgrave
Age: 36
Location: Grand Junction, Colorado
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Spinal Cord Injury C4-5
Onset or Injury Date: April 19, 1991
Wheelchair Operation Method: powerchair joystick
High Bowling Score: 243 <-- World Record (see scoresheet HERE:)
Approximate Bowling Average: 165
Typical Range of Scores: 130-214 (like Bill, I'm also not the most consistent:)
Bowling Frequency: Lately on Monday nights with my 10 year old son in a league, and I try to go once or twice a week. My 243 is good, but I want to be the first to bowl 300! :-)
Bowling Ball(s): First ball is a Hurricane; second (for spares) is a Columbia White Dot
Quote from Jon: "Bowling is a great way to take your mind away from everything and just be happy."
~~~~~
Thanks for sharing Jon! :-)
Click HERE for five things to know about power wheelchair bowling!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
IKAN User Profile: Bill Miller, Florida
Most of the previous blog entries were to set the foundation with all the background info about power wheelchair bowling, power soccer, and how our products can empower wheelchair users (scroll down or click HERE for Five Key Things to Know). Now I want to start profiling people who think life is better as an IKAN User.
To kick this off, since I haven't established a format yet, I'm going to start with me and get my profile out of the way.
~~~~~
Name: Bill Miller
Age: 30
Location: Central Florida (Leesburg)
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at C1-2 level
Onset or Injury Date: August 23rd, 1997
Wheelchair Operation Method: Sip-and-puff
High Bowling Score: 202 (twice achieved)
Approximate Bowling Average: 155
Typical Range of Scores: 130-180 (I'm NOT the most consistent!:)
Bowling Frequency: Typically twice a month for Quad Squad outings (scroll down or click HERE for Quad Squad info; I'd like to bowl more, but my current schedule won't allow it)
Bowling Ball(s): Columbia White Dot (very economical)
Quote from Bill: "Life doesn't have to be a spectator sport -- even for people with significant physical challenges."
~~~~~
To kick this off, since I haven't established a format yet, I'm going to start with me and get my profile out of the way.
~~~~~
Name: Bill Miller
Age: 30
Location: Central Florida (Leesburg)
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) at C1-2 level
Onset or Injury Date: August 23rd, 1997
Wheelchair Operation Method: Sip-and-puff
High Bowling Score: 202 (twice achieved)
Approximate Bowling Average: 155
Typical Range of Scores: 130-180 (I'm NOT the most consistent!:)
Bowling Frequency: Typically twice a month for Quad Squad outings (scroll down or click HERE for Quad Squad info; I'd like to bowl more, but my current schedule won't allow it)
Bowling Ball(s): Columbia White Dot (very economical)
Quote from Bill: "Life doesn't have to be a spectator sport -- even for people with significant physical challenges."
~~~~~
Friday, August 31, 2007
The Quad Squad...
The Quad Squad refers to a group of friends with varying levels and types of quadriplegia (a quadriplegic is broadly defined as someone with impairment in all four limbs and can result from spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and other conditions).
We have a Central Florida Quad Squad group that goes bowling regularly. Quad Squad member Rhonda Reese, a C4-5 quadriplegic since August of 1991, came up with our name. We usually bowl on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from roughly 4-6 p.m. at a Central Florida bowling alley. We typically bowl at Classique Lanes in Tavares on the second Saturday of the month, and at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages on the fourth Saturday. Anyone who wants to watch or try power wheelchair bowling with an IKAN Bowler is more than welcome to join us. Please e-mail me (MaxNWM@aol.com) in advance to verify that we are on for bowling at our usual time and place, and if you want to try it, so we can make sure to have an extra IKAN Bowler available.
Any group of quadriplegic friends can use the Quad Squad name; it's not trademarked or anything, so people in a certain geographic area can feel free to use it, e.g. Phoenix Quad Squad, Chicago Quad Squad, etc.
If you're local to Central Florida, think you might visit, or just want to know what we're doing, I'd be happy to put you on my Quad Squad e-mail list, to which I send updates and verification of when and where we're bowling. I'm not the overall record holder, that honor belongs to Jon Musgrave with an amazing 243, but I'm a pretty good bowler and have had five games over 200 (three 201s and two 202s). So... to help keep my "ego in check" per my Dad:-) he has offered $20 to any IKAN User who beats my best score of the afternoon. To further encourage competition, he also pays for our bowling. So come on out and we'll have some FUN! :-)
Click HERE (or scroll way down) for Two Videos and a Slideshow depicting Quad Squad outings!
Click HERE (or scroll down) for Five Things to Know about Power Wheelchair Bowling!
Sincerely,
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 202 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
We have a Central Florida Quad Squad group that goes bowling regularly. Quad Squad member Rhonda Reese, a C4-5 quadriplegic since August of 1991, came up with our name. We usually bowl on the second and fourth Saturday of each month, from roughly 4-6 p.m. at a Central Florida bowling alley. We typically bowl at Classique Lanes in Tavares on the second Saturday of the month, and at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages on the fourth Saturday. Anyone who wants to watch or try power wheelchair bowling with an IKAN Bowler is more than welcome to join us. Please e-mail me (MaxNWM@aol.com) in advance to verify that we are on for bowling at our usual time and place, and if you want to try it, so we can make sure to have an extra IKAN Bowler available.
Any group of quadriplegic friends can use the Quad Squad name; it's not trademarked or anything, so people in a certain geographic area can feel free to use it, e.g. Phoenix Quad Squad, Chicago Quad Squad, etc.
If you're local to Central Florida, think you might visit, or just want to know what we're doing, I'd be happy to put you on my Quad Squad e-mail list, to which I send updates and verification of when and where we're bowling. I'm not the overall record holder, that honor belongs to Jon Musgrave with an amazing 243, but I'm a pretty good bowler and have had five games over 200 (three 201s and two 202s). So... to help keep my "ego in check" per my Dad:-) he has offered $20 to any IKAN User who beats my best score of the afternoon. To further encourage competition, he also pays for our bowling. So come on out and we'll have some FUN! :-)
Click HERE (or scroll way down) for Two Videos and a Slideshow depicting Quad Squad outings!
Click HERE (or scroll down) for Five Things to Know about Power Wheelchair Bowling!
Sincerely,
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 202 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com/
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net/
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