View From a Wheelchair

I truly hope that you enjoy my series of photographs and stories. Only a few people know that I was a client of United Cerebral Palsy as a very young child. The impact of my family’s involvement with UCP had an incredible impact on my life. My parent’s finally learned what was wrong and was given help in learning how to handle the diagnosis as well as better care for my physical needs. I remember, 60 years later, the hours my parents spent on stretching and physical therapy exercises that they learned and put into practice. UCPA helped my parents to understand my needs and make me as independent as I became. I have an amazing life so far, thanks mostly to my parents, but with a nod to UCP. Please enjoy these stories and photographs, but if you find these mini-stories interesting, then please hit the button below and make a tax-deductible deduction so we can continue to have a positive impact on the lives of people living life with a disability! Mahalo!

1/24/25
We are once again proud to introduce a new series about living life with cerebral palsy. The series is called: “View From a Wheelchair” and will feature weekly posts of at least three images that were created by Stephen Dantzig (me) either from a seated position in his wheelchair or standing with assistance in front of the chair. We are choosing this personal perspective because cerebral palsy is very personal. Many of us require increasing amounts of support and/or assistive technology as we age. Many of you know that I now use a power wheelchair (“The Bumblebee”) to travel beyond short distances. Our hope is that this series will demonstrate again that change is inevitable for all of us and adapting and embracing those changes keep the doors open to a happy and productive life, no matter what challenges you/we face!

Look for more photos every Friday. Images may come from the same series of photographs over several weeks. Our first set is from my first visit to the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, known locally as “Punchbowl.” It was an awesome experience that I shared with my father and uncle in spirit.

Our View From a Wheelchair series continues with more from my Punchbowl experience. There is a set of memorials laid out along the hill up to the Punchbowl overlook. We did not look at each one because there were too many, but it was very emotional. I am so glad that I was finally able to see this remarkable place. The “Bumblebee” (my wheelchair is yellow and is named “The Bumblebee!”) made it possible.

In special memory of my dad and Uncle Terry: US Navy WWII.

My buddy Robert and I took a drive along the amazing East Coast of O’ahu. We made a short stop at Sherwoods Beach. The water was so beautiful and the combination of trees was stunning. I took the Bumblebee as far along the path as possible and then “chanced it” on the pine covered and—with predictably mixed results! But, we made it and captured some stunning images.

Let’s take a trip “Down Under” for this week’ edition of View From a Wheelchair! Yes, the “Bumblebee” made the trip to Sydney, Australia. You absolutely CAN travel with your power wheelchair. The batteries need to be removed and carried on the plane (unless, I believe, they are built into your chair) but some airlines allow you to stay in you chair right up to gate. If not, then they will supply a manual wheelchair and assistance to the gate. They will also provide an “aisle chair” to assist you to your seat if needed. Be sure to contact your airline prior to the trip so they know you are bringing your chair. Sydney was beautiful and we will revisit this trip several times in this series. I loved seeing the koala bears up close. A lifelong dream checked off—teaser…wait until you see the wallaby with a “joey” (keiki) in her pouch! 

Let’s stay “Down Under” for this week’s “View,” and explore some of Australia’s amazing animals. The Featherdale Animal Preserve was incredible. My favorite this week is the Wallaby with her Joey in her pouch! The Cassowary bird is very dangerous. It is fast and uses its bonehead to beat its prey and has extremely sharp talons. Yikes. Then of course is the larger cousin of the Wallaby, the kangaroo! It was a dream come true to see these animals up close and personal! We will visit “Oz” again at some point.

2/28/25

This week we return to O’ahu for a View From a Wheelchair but stay with some of nature’s wonders! I love how the egret seems to be posing for the camera! Truth be told, the butterfly and the bee images were a combination of patience (sitting with the camera in ‘shoot’ position for a LONG time!) and a bit of old fashioned luck! I do love all of these images.

3/7/25

I have gone through the great North Shore town of Hale’iwa many times during my 20 plus years in Hawai’i. I have done several photo shoots and eaten there dozens of times. I always admired the ancient Queen Liliʻuokalani church from the car. I was never truly able to explore this amazing town—until I had the “Bumblebee!”

3/14/25

This week we take our first “View” of the amazing street art that makes Kakaako, Honolulu such a fascinating place to visit. The murals are truly works of art and the “Bumblebee” made it possible to fully explore and enjoy the talent on display. We will take additional views of more murals in the future.

3/21/25

This week we take our second “View” of the amazing street art that makes Kakaako, Honolulu such a fascinating place to visit. The creativity on display always makes this a fun outing.

Let’s take our first “View” of the Honolulu Zoo! I had been there many years ago and rode my tricycle at the time, but these trips were with the Bumblebee. I love the regal look of the Cheetah and the playfulness of the elephant (“Get your own ball!”) I also think that the angle from the chair adds to the composition and drama of the image of the monkeys.

4/4/25

Let’s take another “view” of the Honolulu Zoo before traveling off O’ahu. We will return to the zoo at some point. I love the look on the baboon’s face! The Gila monster is so vibrant too. The peacock was wandering around the cafeteria area. I heard it was not the friendliest bird, so we just avoided it!

4/11/25

Today we take our first “View” of the amazing city of Singapore. Singapore is actually an island, a city and a country all in one. It was magnificent! It I one of the cleanest cities I have ever been to and the FOOD was incredible. I did not have the Bumblebee yet, but we borrowed a wheelchair for the main trips. We will venture back for more views soon.

4/18/25

Let’s stay in Singapore for a second “View!” Last week we got a taste of the Marina and some of the flowers around. The government makes a point of adding plants, foliage and gardens all around to keep the city from becoming a “concrete jungle.” The Botanical Gardens is certainly worth a visit, but the Gardens by the Bay is incredible. It is a large park across from the Marina with three main attractions: The Cloud Forest, The Flower Dome, and the “Supertrees.” The Cloud Forest  was interesting, but it is hard to beat the natural waterfalls in Hawai’i! However, the Flower Dome and Supertrees were awe-inspiring. Get there early enough to fully explore the dome, but stay beyond dark for a Supertrees light how that defies description. Singapore is well within the top five places I have visited and one of the few that I would return to see again. The food alone was worth the trip!

4/25/25

Let’s go back “Down Under” for another “VIEW” of Sydney Australia. Here we have a view of Sydney from the Opera House, Darling Harbor, and the beautiful Blue Mountains. Incredible trip made possible by the Bumblebee!