I have a confession to make. The first 23 years and 322 days of my life I was the poster boy for what’s wrong with my generation… politically. I happily (and consciously, mind you) bunched myself in with the pathetically apathetic group of nonvoting twentysomethings. I viewed politics as nothing more than semantics. “Why should…
Author: Kenny Salvini
A quadriplegic since 2004 after a snow skiing accident left me paralyzed from the neck down, I have spent the majority of the last decade searching for a sense of purpose. In the summer of 2005, my blog, titled "Typical Guy, Atypical Situation", was featured on the MSN homepage and became somewhat of a viral hit, which led to a few small collaborations with Microsoft. After taking a five-year sabbatical from the website in 2007, life's trajectory seems to be leading me back in that general direction as I look to create opportunities for people in situations similar to mine to share their stories. My hope is to build a community where a group of people in seemingly dire circumstances are able to pool their collective experience, strength and hope in order to successfully achieve an enhanced, more accessible life.
Kids do the darndest things
Don’t they? Everyone has a story about watching a child do something completely off the wall. And the best part about those stories, is the fact that you can hang them over this person’s head for a lifetime. Considering that I was the very definition of ADHD as a child, I unknowingly created many opportunities for…
A bit of foreshadowing?
We were inseparable from the moment we met. Mutual friends secretly set up a “chance” meeting at a party one night Labor Day weekend while I was in town. She, a crush I had harbored for almost a year. I was the lucky guy that happened to catch her eye the night before. I knew I…
When you sleep just to dream…
It was one of those mornings where you wake up heartbroken. It was only a dream? But it seemed so real! Every image so clear. Every smell distinct. Every feeling so intense. You try to will yourself back to sleep and continue dreaming, because you know it has worked on a few occasions. You just…
Straitjacket
claus·tro·pho·bi·a , n. – Abormal fear of being in narrow or enclosed spaces. Claustrophobics are pansies. Just kidding. Well, sort of. I was claustrophobic at one time, back in the day. You want a cure for claustrophobia? Try being paralyzed. Seriously. That will alleviate all of your concerns about confined spaces. There is no tighter space to be trapped…
Square blocks, round holes
Everybody had a version of that toy as toddlers. You know, that board with various shapes cut into it, and the matching blocks that fit them. As a child, you try to force the wrong shapes into the wrong holes, relentlessly. As adults, we find ourselves playing that very same game, just on a broader…
To my “Million” critics
~ WARNING: If you have not yet seen the movie Million Dollar Baby ~ ~ SKIP OVER THIS ENTRY, AND GO WATCH IT ~ For those of you who have, welcome. You just got a glimpse inside the beginning of my life as a quadriplegic. But tell me the secrecy kept about the ending is not borderline…
I know you are wondering…
“If you are a quadriplegic, like you say you are, how in the heck do you type?” Ah… the million-dollar question. Given that I am in fact completely paralyzed, it would seem strange how I keep popping out random thoughts on my blog at a fairly decent rate. Until somewhat recently, quadriplegics that wanted to…
The mascot of death!
It was the summer of 1991. My tenure at Lake Tapps Elementary School had finally come to an end. I felt that I was becoming a man. I mean come on, I was 11 years old! Heading to middle school, thank you very much. And why was this so significant you ask? Because in middle…
For my grandfather
More Than Eyes They always told methat my eyes came from you.I will readily arguethat I got so much more. I say I got your humor.Dry at times, sarcastic most,we both have the abilityto bring laughter to all we meet. I say I got your looks.I mean, come on,couple of handsome devils here!Always a success…
Kenny Salvini 