June – “Magical Summer”

June arrived and that means summer time is here!

DLM wants to wish you a magical summer and we hope that you persevere during these warm months ahead!

Big thanks to our models who survived the heat and the dirt to provide you with their levitating adventure.

PHOTO STORY - Be sure to click on the first pic and click right to view the ending photo story in this set. ENJOY!

MEET THE MODELS

Tiffany Giddes – Paraplegic

Tiffany loves being in front of the camera; it’s her passion in life and her driving force. Due to a car accident in 2001, she became a paraplegic, having to give up her active legs for a set of wheels. Seeing the suffering of others like herself, she decided to become an activist for people with spinal cord injuries. She has made it her life’s goal to change the way people with all disabilities are treated. She believes that through the media we can raise awareness and the general public’s knowledge of a community of people who have been overlooked for far too long. After Tiffany moved to Los Angeles in 2008, she got a few background jobs on different shows, but her big break came in 2010 when she was cast as a receptionist in an episode of the FX show SONS OF ANARCHY. Tiffany was the first actor in a wheelchair to be on the show. Tiffany recently executive produced and starred in the first-ever film to feature two female leads who are truly in wheelchairs, called COLLISION. Not only was this film the first to feature to two female leads in chairs but, Tiffany did her own stunts! Tiffany is one of five hosts on a weekly video YouTube vlog called, The Ability 411. She and the rest of the hosts talk about subjects relating to the disability community and answer viewer questions. She is also the co-creator of the Spoke’N Perceptions Channel, tackling touchy subjects on the Disability Today Network. In her free time, Tiffany is very active; she loves to work out, surf, skydive, drive ATV’s, scuba dive, anything that gets her outside!

Travis Taft – C4/5 Incomplete Quadriplegic

I’m Travis, and I’ve always been something of a walking contradiction. A loner who loves a wild party, a geek who liked playing sports, a gentleman who could choose to not be gentle. Then, seven years ago, just before my 19th birthday, the term “walking contradiction” gained an ironic new twist. What started as any other summer day at the beach ended with me unable to move a single muscle below my neck.

Since then I’ve returned to living independently, gotten my undergrad degree from one of the most rigorous Liberal Arts programs in the country, and made huge strides as an artist and a person.

I am a firm believer in the idea that negativity is the best way to fail and being positive is the key to success. If I gave in to depression I’d never manage at least 90 minutes of physical therapy four days per week. And it isn’t easy. But there is always something to be thankful for – you just have to keep your eyes open.

Robert Romani – Spinal Bifida

I am a New Jersey native born in Philadelphia. I relocated to Los Angeles in the summer of 2008.

I moved for love but when that disappeared I decided to stay for the warmer climate. I graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education and later pursued a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University. In my early twenties after suffering from a crippling bout with stage fright I took every course I could find that had me speaking in front of an audience. That choice, daunting as it was lead to my interest in theatre and acting. I have made appearances in Jesus’ Son, its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and, Law & Order.

I was born with a severe form of Spina-Bifida. I rely on a wheelchair for mobility and independence. I don’t believe my disability defines me, though socially there are times it seems it does. The fact that I use a wheelchair describes a small part of what I am; it does not define who I am. Who I am an amalgamation of many attributes that includes: actor, writer, musician, guitarist and, singer. The spirit of my persona in regard to my disability lies in the heart of my mother who herself suffered from polio. Her will and intuitive nature lie in the depths of my being. She encouraged me to fight, never give up and, believe that with hard work and determination I could achieve want I set out for.

CREATIVE DESIGN / MAKEUP / HAIR

Bobbie Eller – DLM Creative Designer