In episode #81 of No Free Rides, Tiffiny is joined by Jennifer Longdon, a fighter of a paraplegic who’s taking on everything from accessible realty and passe attitudes to disabilities to bringing diversity to Project Runway.

Jennifer Longdon is an amazing woman who found herself paralyzed after a shooting in 2004. She’s become a disability advocate since her injury and is the Chair of the Mayor of Phoenix’s Commission on Disability Issues and has become a blogger with a strong voice you simply must check out: Living Life From Butt Level: Where I Sit. She has also become a dynamic speaker, which you can see in this Ignite Phoenix video, which shows her on-stage talking frankly about life with a disability.

Tiffiny and Jen also talk about the search for a cocktail dress that can look great sitting down and the hiccups in using dressing rooms. Tiffiny also shares her top disability news of 2011 and her review of the new travel show featuring a disabled host, Rollin’ with Zach.

Use the player below to hear the show (58 minute run time). No Free Rides is sponsored by EasyStand.com.

From reality shows to hour long dramas, we’re popping up everywhere, and these are the appearances you should definitely know about. Read this blog

Aussie sex worker Rachel Wotton exclusively caters to clients with disabilities, and a fascinating documentary has been made on her controversial career. Read this blog

In episode #79 of our disability podcast No Free Rides, Tiffiny is joined by quadriplegic diver Brian Walker, an ex-US Air Force man who’s been on over 40 dives in the past two years.

Tune in as they reveal the best place in the country to get your diving certification if you’re disabled and the equipment you’ll need to dive safely (and without freezing your ass off; a common quad complaint while diving). They also talk about Brian’s incredible neuro implants that help him move his hands again. And then somehow the conversation moves onto the Hooters Casino in Vegas.  A definite must listen.

Listen in the player below (run time is 54 minutes). No Free Rides is sponsored by EasyStand.

- Adapted diving school Diveheart

- The place to buy a 30/30 dry suit (vs. a wet suit) to help you stay warm underwater: Diving Unlimited International

Opening song: “That’s My Number” by Toots and the Maytals

In episode #78 of our podcast ”No Free Rides,” Tiffiny has on David McCauley, a successful businessman in NYC before his diving injury in ’08, who has founded a unique non-profit celebrating artists with spinal cord injuries to help find a cure.

Tragedies can strike anyone, and for David McCauley, a successful businessman in Manhattan before his injury in 2008, his diving accident proves how true that his. McCauley has an impressive drive that brought him to a point where in only a few short years after his accident he’s already looking outwards, and helping others. His awesomenesss was even honored this month as he was awarded the the NJ Hero award (read story) by New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie.

His non-profit, Rise Up To Cure Paralysis, awards Quality of Life grants to people with SCI so they can participate in the latest therapies insurance won’t cover and to help pay for the adapted equipment they need. David’s brilliant idea of selling art created by artists with spinal cord injuries, Rise Up Galleries, is their main fundraising source. Tiffiny and David discuss his non-profit, his injury, and how he found the strength to not only fight to overcome his own injury, but to help others as well.

Tiffiny also talks about PCAs, the sad but neccessary topic of protecting personal items from theft, and amazing cheap Winter shopping finds.

Use the player below to hear the show (54 minute run time). No Free Rides is sponsored by EasyStand.com.

- Check out the official site for Rise Up To Cure Paralysis

- An example of must-have black fleece-lined leggings

One of the most beloved body product lines in the UK is finally coming to the US, and even better, they will be available at Walmart.

I Love Cosmetics sells an orgasmic selection of yummy scented body lotions and potions (can’t forget the lip balms) that I’ve been oogling for years. With scents like “Blueberry & Smoothie,” “Coconut & Cream,” “Strawberries & Milkshake” and “Vanilla & Ice Cream” it’s hard not to want to take a sniff, cop a feel and see just how great this stuff really is.

Well, I’m happy to report their products are as yummy in-person as they look online. I bought the “Mango & Papaya” Body Butter from I Love… and it is just as good as the body butter you’d get from The Body Shop (just a hell of a lot cheaper). I’m SO excited all of their products are going to be available at Walmart and Walgreen’s!

Looking to get inspired? Shop I Love… and fall in love now

Its not easy convincing people there is life after  disability. Most people can’t imagine it. And when they do, they say  they’d rather be dead. Really? You’d rather be worm food than alive? Read this blog

Why do manual wheelchairs get in all the fun? From chrome parts to wheel covers, this is a sorely unmet industry. Read this blog

34 years old and a C6 quad, this single father is getting back in the game, and needs a refresher on the latest dating rules.

Dear Tiffiny,

I’ve recently started dating again and man things are different now then before I was hurt! Never mind texting, there wasnt even cell phones when I was learning how to date. So what I was hoping to learn was sort of a chic’s eye-view of the rules, like how long to wait to call\text after a date or how to sound interested without sounding needy. Things like that. 

Thanks!

J

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear J,

I know how scary it is when you first get out there. You never know how guys, or in your case the ladies, will react when they realize a person in a wheelchair is into them. The one beautiful thing about dating is that if you’re single, then you have nothing to loose. So keep that in mind as you read ”the rules” I’m about to tell you, because in the big scheme of things dating rules don’t really matter, because getting out there and trying is the best thing you can do.

Ok, now with that out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty gritty {g}. Let’s start with texts, and more specifically when to text back and how often. If you went on a date and had an awesome time, there’s absolutely nothing weird about texting a few minutes after  to tell her you had a great time and would love to see her again. But don’t call, as that would be construed as needy. As for the next day, it’s totally acceptable to call or text to ask when she’s free and to plan your next date, but don’t call more than once in a day (unless she calls you back of course, then ring away).

As for letting her know you’re interested without seeming “too needy,” its all about putting the ball in her court and treating her with respect. I know you’re worried about being perceived as needy because of your disability, but when dealing with women your main concern should be making them feel comfortable. But I get your point; you don’t want to seem too over-zealous and well, not cool, or whatever, because you can’t walk. Now, its really easy to subtely show a girl you’re into her. A smile, a gaze that keeps going back to her, remembering things about her and asking about them, are really your best ways to let her know you want to get to know her better. And of course asking for her number is the big first thing you can do to let her know you’re into her.

When asking for her number, word it something like, “I would love to get to know you better. Can I text you?” That’s it, and hopefully you’ll get a positive response. Keep it casual, no pressure. And you’ll be happy to know there’s one thing that’s still the same: Girls still prefer it when the guy makes the first move, and in your case its really important. You’re already fighting the “guy in a wheelchair” stereotype, so it’s in your best interest to appear as confident as possible. So make that move asap, and if she seems uninterested, chalk it up as practice. Once you get her number, shoot her a text. Start a conversation, or get straight to the point (ie., ask her out). Its really up to you, and what you think she’d prefer.

So there you have it. That’s all I got. Just keep on flashing that sexy smile, be romantic, respectful, remember to give her space, and you’ve got nothing to worry about. Good luck!

Tiffiny

What do you love about texting when dating?

Have a question for Dating on Wheels? Send it to tiffiny@beautyability.com

Dating on Wheels archive

In episode #76 of No Free Rides, Tiffiny is joined by Erik Kondo, a paraplegic and self-defense and online safety expert. They discuss how to stay safe in the physical world, as well as protecting yourself online, namely from wheelchair fetishists.

Erik has been a paraplegic for over 25 years, making him more than qualified to dispense advice on this sensitive subject. He is the founder of Not-Me.org, a non-profit dedicated to teaching the five D’s of self-defense – Decide, Deter, Disrupt, Disengage and Debrief. Erik is a fountain of information and his advice is a must for anyone new to being disabled.

They also discuss how to spot wheelchair predators online, as well as those pretending to be a wheelchair-user (“pretenders”), which is another tactic that is used to pry personal information from unaware individuals.

Check out Erik’s self-defense site, Not-Me.org, for more information on staying safe no matter the situation.

Use the player below to hear the show (52 minute run time). No Free Rides is sponsored by EasyStand.com.