RB man edits magazine for disabled
Why should those suffering from paralysis and other physical disabilities investigate the answers to shared problems when others like them have already found the answers?
This is the philosophy behind “Dangerwood ... The Magazine.”
The online publication was created by Steve Crowder, also known as “Nick Danger” to his friends and the online community — a Rancho Bernardo resident who is using his paralysis to help others.
Crowder, who became a quadriplegic in 1995 due to an accident in a friend’s pool on the eve of their 20-year high school reunion, is using his experiences, and those of his readers, to help others.
The magazine at www.SurvivingParalysis.com started seven years ago, mostly as a place where questions and answers could be posted on a wide range of topics.
In November, the site transformed into its current form that now includes articles and features — a tip of the month section, caregiver forum and links to other resources.
It also still has what drew thousands to the site — up to 200,000 hits per month — which is the section for posts on more than three dozen topics, including medical issues; recommendations on places to buy clothes, wheelchairs and other items; travel advice; canine companions; and job resources.
Like a traditional magazine, Crowder said it will also have letters to the editor and, if all goes as planned, advertising.
He said the publication is the perfect place for companies catering to those with physical disabilities to advertise since there are few sites like it on the Internet.
“I don’t think anybody thought of it or took the initiative,” Crowder gave as a reason for the few sites about paralysis despite the countless Web sites in existence.
In his message to readers, Crowder writes, “Dangerwood ... could offer you a way out of a very deep hole. It could help you solve your problems and aid you in starting your new disabled life or managing an existing one.”
He continues, “Dangerwood facilitates a pooling of information and sharing of knowledge between quadriplegics, caregivers and families everywhere. It unites the disabled community. Combined, we hold the keys ... to solving one another’s problems and providing the hard found answers.”
He said many times those with paralysis are discharged from rehabilitation hospitals with few, if any, resources on how to handle basic survival issues. The site, therefore, is a way to make those resources easily accessible.
Helping others in a similar condition to his is nothing new for Crowder.
He said because the medical personnel at Sharp Hospital deemed him an “exemplary patient, staying positive and motivated throughout my hospital stay,” he was asked to visit other patients who were not adjusting to their situation as well as he was.
In addition, the University of California, San Diego graduate returned to his alma mater as the baseball announcer. He has also announced the San Diego City Disabled Sports events, including the Greater San Diego Recovery Games, the Mobility Games and the Wheelchair Over the Line World Championships.
In 2002, Crowder and his golden retriever, “Rica,” became the top graduate presentation team for Canine Companions for Independence.
While accomplishing a lot since his accident, it has been far from easy for Crowder, who over the years has faced numerous physical and financial setbacks as well.
Some of these were caused by unscrupulous individuals whose goals included taking advantage of those with disabilities. Crowder said he lost about $400,000 to caregivers who liquidated his accounts and was even taken in by a man in Idaho claiming to have a cure for paralysis.
The latter, Crowder helped reveal to law enforcement to be a scam artist and many involved in the deception in multiple states were arrested and prosecuted by authorities.