Architect Builds Incredible Off-The-Grid Tiny Home To Avoid High House P...

Creating livable spaces that fit your lifestyle is inspirational.  But I'd like to see an architect design and build a tiny house for someone in a wheelchair.

Being from the Pacific islands, I'd prefer one constructed from a shipping container...how about that?!

Keep Calm and Dance in the Rain

Donate $10 to "Join My Campaign to Walk Again" for medical care, rehab and recovery from a spinal cord injury caused by cancer treatment, get power wheelchairs to help me stand, and get around independently in my home and around town.

I am a Pacific islander, former teacher, choreographer, dancer, network analyst who became paralyzed with a spinal cord injury from cancer treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  Although it has taken time to get daily assistance for a physical disability, I've been able to get some support from the local county and wonderful friends I've made in town.

I’m calling out to the hearts and minds of friends, family, and folks everywhere to Join My Campaign and help me Get Back on My Feet again!

Starting with:
* Transportation and personal care assistance
* Standing and Portable power wheelchairs
* Treatment and Rehabilitation at the Mayo Clinic's spinal cord injury program. 

Find out more on my fundraiser page: Join My Campaign to Walk Again  for just $10

Look me up: facebook.com/LalaWerx, @lilianani2012 or @passion4living1 and send me a message.  I'd love to hear your inspiring story and challenges living with a disability.

Full of Words - Axis Dance Company

The AXIS Dance Company is based on Oakland, California.  And when I lived in southern California, I desperately wanted to attend their classes and workshops.  Who knows, maybe even audition for the company... My one biggest regret seeing what I was missing.

These are excerpts from "Full of Words", choreographed by Marc Brew in 2011.

Choreography:  Marc Brew in collaboration with the dancers

Choreographic/Rehearsal Asst: Andrea Basile

Dancers:  Rodney Bell, Sonsherée Giles, Sebastian Grubb, Juliana Monin, Alice Sheppard

Original Score: Composed by Dan Wool, cello by Jessie Ivry and Theresa Wong

Costume Design: Sonsherée Giles

Lighting Design: Heather Basarab

Full of Words has been created as a series of physical conversations, encounters and interventions that reflect what it is to be human. 

To learn more about AXIS and how they change the face of Dance and Disability visit www.axisdance.org

Long and Winding Road

Hi all!

It's been a long road (15 years!) to reverse the spinal cord injury I've had which was caused by cancer treatment from a clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health. I moved 2 years ago from southern California to get treatment at the Mayo Clinic's spinal cord injury program, but things are as complicated as ever dealing with uninsured expenses for a power chair, transportation, and personal care services.

In the meantime, I've tried to make the most of it in Minnesota by visiting an awesome vintage store, the annual Todd County Fair, downtown concerts at the Veterans park, not to mention taking a few online classes on writing and painting (among other things)...

But with limited transportation (buses only run weekdays til 4pm), I'm a shut-in without a way to get out and around. The apartment building I'm living in is a secure, senior-only housing and had inaccessible entry doors. Imagine me trying to use a key to unlock the main door, pull it open, and roll myself into the building before the door closes on me...

Having said that, I always like to end on a good note...

I was nominated by the rehabilitation department at the local hospital to attend a Leadership in Ethnically Diverse Communities program, and invited to attend an annual mental health conference by a woman who is a leader in the community. I've made wonderful friends who are motivated to help me navigate the rocky road and travel along it with me....

Isn't that something?  😄

By the way, if you'd like to help me get back on my feet again, you can lookup my GoFundMe page,  checkout the Wishlist (treatment and wheelchairs), and Make a $10 Donation: 
https://www.gofundme.com/2js2gzw

AXIS on So You Think You Can Dance 2011

On June 30th, 2011 AXIS dance Company was featured on Fox Tv's "So You Think You Can Dance?" AXIS dancers Sonsheree Giles and Rodney Bell performed an excerpt from "to color me different" choreographed by Alex Ketley.

AXIS Dance Company

Divide from Guest Artistic Director Marc Brew, draws inspiration from visual artist Carl Andre's designs working in minimalism: Spill, 8 cuts and Copper Ribbon. Divide is an abstract work exploring the divide in human interaction in movement, space and time. This is Brew's first full piece with the company in his role of Guest Artistic Director. The UK-based choreographer first worked with AXIS in 2011 when the company enjoyed a huge success with his Full of Words, which went on to become a favorite on the company's tours.

Axis Dance Company is devoted to changing to the face of Dance and Disability- challenging the idea of what, and who, dancers are.

Concept & Direction: Marc Brew

Choreography: Marc Brew in collaboration with the dancers

Rehearsal Assistant: Juliana Monin

Dancers: Joel Brown, Sonsherée Giles, Sebastian Grubb, Juliana Monin

Original Score: Caroline Penwarden

Costume Design: Keriann Egeland

Lighting Design: Allen Willner

In a Wheelchair Having Low Self Confidence/Depression