Jumping into Adversity | Tanelle Bolt | TEDxLangford

Tanelle describes that day in the woods that adversity entered her life. She lived 27 years of her life without knowing and on a hot, sunny, Sunday afternoon this entered Tanelle's life through sustaining a catastrophic spinal cord injury that left her completely paralyzed from the chest down. Now at 33 Tanelle tells stories of the changes of perception, both her own and of the friends and strangers around her. She sheds light on aging, disability and how being open to, and aware of the differences of those around you will bring you closer to your community. Your compassion and care now will prove beneficial as everyone ages into the future. Tanelle lives her life as a 33 year old paraplegic who hurt herself in a recreational free jumping accident 5-½ years ago. Her spinal cord injury has shifted her expertise as an educated interior designer (Lethbridge College 2010) towards consulting, building action plans for businesses and corporations who wish to lead their industries in universal access and design. Tanelle's love interest in outdoor recreation continues to grow. Since injury she has reintroduced herself to skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, golfing and paddling, and found a new love in surfing. Her perspective shifted the day she became a paraplegic. All her efforts since then have been towards breaking down the physical barriers of the world and the perceived judgement of those who live in it. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx