Twelve Years Later: Still Showing Up
Twelve years after breaking my neck, I look back on life with quadriplegia, the systems and people that made independence possible, and the life I’m still building.
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Stories that make the practical visible
Caregiving, travel, adaptive technology, advocacy, business, relationships, disability, humor, and the daily work of building a bigger life.
The Village: What a Breakfast Taco Taught Me About Caregiving
After nine years of caregiving, a breakfast taco reminded me that independence is not only about what I can do myself. It is also about building a village where caregivers, family, and the people around me have a reason to be proud of what we are creating together.
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Spinal Cord Injury Nutrition | QuadCapable Food Journey
“Motivation gets you started. Systems keep you moving long after motivation wears off.” Category: Food Journey • Nutrition • Healthy Living • Spinal Cord Injury Author: Charlie Merritt | Founder, QuadCapable When people decide they want to eat healthier, they usually think about recipes, calories, or the latest diet trend. For me, eating healthier started […]
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Reinventing What People Believe Is Possible
A better future starts by changing what we think is possible. INDEPENDENCE • FOUNDATIONSBy Charlie Merritt • August 2026 • 7 min read “Independence isn’t about doing everything yourself. It’s about creating more choices for yourself.” — Charlie Merritt Most people hear the word quadriplegic and immediately think about everything that’s impossible. I understand why. […]
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Worth Carrying
Some of the strongest people you’ll ever meet are the ones who taught others they were worth carrying. RESILIENCE • FOUNDATIONSBy Charlie Merritt • July 2026 • 6 min read I’ve spent a lot of time over the past twelve years thinking about what it means to be a burden. It’s not a conversation people […]
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7 YEARS
Being a quadriplegic doesn’t make me extraordinary or special. But I think my resilience and fortitude and ability to persevere have always created the momentum that makes me successful in life regardless of circumstance.
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Unbreakable
“You will never feel your body again…” said the neurosurgeon after I was flown from the scene of my accident and awaited my surgery for a cervical spinal cord injury. That was 6 years ago and I can still remember the feeling of frustration not knowing how my life would continue. I realized then something […]
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Military Veteran Restaurant Discounts
■ A&W Root Beer: Discount varies, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you. ■ Acapulco: 20% off for military personnel in uniform or with valid ID. ■ Applebee’s: Discount varies per location, simply ask and have a valid military ID with you. ■ Arby’s: Discount varies per location, simply ask and have […]
Read article →Tips on Parenthood for People With Disabilities
Tips on Parenthood for People With Disabilities Joy and jitters often go hand in hand for people who find out they will soon become parents through birth or adoption. After all, parenting is a costly commitment that lasts a lifetime. Parenthood for people with disabilities, the apprehension may be amplified when they consider the unique […]
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Quadriplegic Seeks Assistance for Home Modification
I need your help. I am a C3 complete quadriplegic US Marine Corps Veteran passionate about living independently and providing leadership within the disabled and able-bodied community. My focus is on wheelchair accessibility and Smarthome technology to increase the independence of the individual affected by the disability and decrease the work and stress on caregivers […]
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