How Anthony Orefice Spends His Bonus Time Post-Injury

Editor’s Note: In 1993, Anthony Orefice struck a telephone pole while drinking and driving on his friend’s motorcycle. Lucky to be alive, the 19-year-old suffered a T4, T5, and T6 spinal cord injury. After six months in the hospital, he returned to his residence in Southern California and began his new life as a wheelchair […]

How Stefan Freeman Found His Niche After a Life-Changing Injury

Editor's Note: Growing up in Vail, Colorado, Stefan Freeman was immersed in ski culture. Opting for a change of scenery, he left home in the pursuit of sunny skies and an education at the University of California Santa Barbara. After graduating with a degree in cultural anthropology, followed by a year as a ski bum […]

Ralph's Riders' Lovett and Butler Talk About Giving Back

Editor’s Note: Since Ralph’s Riders launched over a decade ago, the foundation has been supporting the spinal cord injury and mobility-impaired community through various programs and resources.  Marcy Lovett, a T5-6 paraplegic, serves as the foundation's treasurer and is also a model, actress, accountant, and advocate for the disability community. Catie Butler, the secretary for […]

Ralph’s Riders Members Talk About Peer Mentoring and Building Alliances for a Stronger Community

Editor’s Note:  Ralph’s Riders was launched over 10 years ago by Mayra Fornos in the memory of her late husband, Ralph, who sustained a spinal cord injury while surfing. The foundation has been dedicated to helping people with mobility impairments lead independent, healthy lives ever since. Wheel:Life writer Betsy Bailey talked with the president of […]

Love Really Does Conquer All: How Ralph and Mayra Fornos Turned Tragedy into Triumph

Editor’s Note:  Emigrating from Cuba to Southern California, the Fornos & Reyes families spent many a weekend together at the Cuban community center in Culver City. After high school, Ralph Fornos and Mayra Reyes, who had become close friends during childhood, fell out of touch until they crossed paths again at a party during their […]

Comfort Conversations: Ralph’s Riders Launches Ride On In Life Campaign

For many people, the month of January represents a new beginning, an opportunity to make changes in your life where you feel you have failed in the past. As someone living with paralysis, I’ve come to the realization that there is no reason to dwell on the past. Our mistakes and tragedies are not meant to […]

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