People who have a spinal cord injury are a true cross-section of humanity.  Some are plain, some beautiful.  Some are shy, some outgoing.  Some are ordinary, some brilliant.  Some are into politics, social issues or innovation, others not so much.  In other words, just like everyone else.  They don't have superpowers, but what they do every day makes it seem that way to their friends and relatives.
  
When getting out of bed is a challenge and when getting through today and on to tomorrow is a feat, special achievements seem even more notable and interesting to read about.  Here are just a few of the high achievers. 
  
Starting closest to home, there’s former Indy car driver Sam Schmidt, now a businessman, race team owner and entrepreneur.  Injured in a racing accident in the year 2000, he quickly formed a foundation with the goal of not only helping people with spinal cord injury but also providing grants to researchers who are working on a cure.  The Sam Schmidt Paralysis Foundation has since grown to become a leader in the charge for a cure for paralysis. http://www.samschmidt.org  
Then there’s Doug Barker, a Canadian farmer with a spinal cord injury who invented an accessible tractor so he could continue working his fields.  To read his story:  http://winnipeg.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20101102/wpg_farmer_101102/20101102/?hub=WinnipegHome .
   
Next is Shawn Dean, an attorney (no lawyer jokes, please – he’s one of the good guys) in Minneapolis who takes the time to write a useful and always entertaining blog.  To read his blog, http://onemansaccess.blogspot.com.
  
How about Maegan Clark, a college student and athlete who spends her spare time mentoring kids who are newly spinal cord injured.  To read about Maegan: http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/local/article_c9ece084-1461-11e0-9008-001cc4c002e0.html .
What strikes the reader immediately is how much these people could accomplish if it didn't take them hours just to get up in the morning and ready for the day.  If they didn't need to invent things to make their own lives easier, they could invent things to make YOUR life easier.  If there weren't any newly spinal cord injured kids to mentor, they'd be helping YOUR family.  If there spinal cord injuries were cured, they'd be working on social causes that directly affect YOU. 
   
These are people from all walks of life, a true cross-section of our fellows.  But their spinal cord injury necessarily consumes a large part of their daily lives, activities and thoughts.  The dedication of all citizens and the commitment of their governments will lead to a cure for paralysis.  It’s the right thing to do… for ALL of us.

Kay Kohlman is the Administrative Manager with the Sam Schmidt Foundation.