--- title: Voices From The Community | Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis | Kristin Beale (3) description: "Kristin Beale is a native of Richmond, Virginia. She is the author of three books, Greater Things and A Million Suns, Wide Awake, and a comic book, Date Me. Instagram: @kristin.gupta (3)" --- [Community](https://www.christopherreeve.org/community) [Voices From The Community | Spinal Cord Injury & Paralysis | Kristin Beale (3)](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/3) # Voices from the Community Our blog offers stories from the community, updates from the Reeve Foundation, and breaking news on research. The opinions expressed in these blogs are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. [Latest from our community](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en) [Reeve Round Up](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en?cat=reeve-round-up) [Life After Paralysis](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en?cat=life-after-paralysis) [Research](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en?cat=research) Close Filters Lifestyle Health Español EmpowHer Stories Caregiving Advocacy and Policy News Quality of Life Grantee Spotlight Relationships SCI Awareness Hope Happens Here Team Reeve Mental Health Peer & Family Support Program Spotlight Travel Community Spotlight Reeve Summit Adaptive Fitness Events Assistive Technology Community Education Accessible College Reeve Family Emergency Preparedness Donor Spotlight Employment Military / Veterans Pediatrics Reeve Collaborators International Team LeGrand Show all tags Apply Filters Clear Filters Close Filters [![Kristin Beale](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(15).png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-plight-of-productivity) ## [The Plight of Productivity](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-plight-of-productivity) July 21, 2023 In 2017, I quit my job at a bank to pursue my passion of authorship. Said another way, I walked away from a reliable paycheck, health insurance, and... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-plight-of-productivity) [![Kristin Beale & Family)](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Blog%20Featured%20Image%20(14).png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/in-spite-of-chaos) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: In Spite of Chaos](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/in-spite-of-chaos) July 14, 2023 It’s a rare gift to be able to anticipate a life-changing event. That is, to be able to say, “After this, things will never be the same,” or “After... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/in-spite-of-chaos) [![Kristin Beale Mother](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Lessons%20Pregnancy%20Taught%20Me.jpg) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/lessons-pregnancy-taught-me) Lifestyle ## [Pregnant And Paralyzed: Lessons Pregnancy Taught Me](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/lessons-pregnancy-taught-me) June 12, 2023 There was a time after my accident when I thought my disability meant that boys won’t find me attractive. I was actually pursued by a man – an... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/lessons-pregnancy-taught-me) [![Kristin Beale with son and husband](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Kristin%20Beale%20with%20son%20and%20husband.png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-paralyzed-sacrifice) Lifestyle ## [Pregnant And Paralyzed: A Worthwhile Sacrifice](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-paralyzed-sacrifice) June 9, 2023 When we were dating, I remember telling my now-husband: “I don’t think I want to be pregnant because I don’t want to put my body through that.” [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-paralyzed-sacrifice) [![Kristin Beale with dog ](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/590%20new%20website%20(23)-1.png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-and-paralyzed-a-restful-race-to-the-finish) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: A Restful Race to the Finish](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-and-paralyzed-a-restful-race-to-the-finish) May 30, 2023 I’ve been paralyzed/dependent on a wheelchair for 17 years. There are still more than a few times my parents or someone close will look at me and... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/pregnant-and-paralyzed-a-restful-race-to-the-finish) [![Kristin Beale ](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/beale%20590.png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/worthwhile-sacrifice) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: A Worthwhile Sacrifice](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/worthwhile-sacrifice) May 18, 2023 When we were dating, I remember telling my now-husband, "I don’t think I want to be pregnant because I don’t want to put my body through that.” It... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/worthwhile-sacrifice) [![adaptive baby equipment ](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Copy%20of%20Social%20Post%20Image%20for%20Verticals%20(2).png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/making-adjustments) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: Making Adjustments](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/making-adjustments) April 28, 2023 I’ve been paralyzed for 17 years, and I feel like I have my disability under control; there’s not much that I haven’t seen or that I can’t overcome. [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/making-adjustments) [![kristin and her husband](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/kristin%20and%20her%20husband.png) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/eating-for-two) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: Eating for Two](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/eating-for-two) April 17, 2023 Let’s start by addressing my newest peeve: when people tell me, “you’re eating for two!” to help justify a dessert, an extra helping, or my eating... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/eating-for-two) [![KristinBeale](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/KristinBeale_after-1-1.jpg) National Paralysis Resource Center](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-aches-and-pain) ## [Pregnant and Paralyzed: The Aches and Pain](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-aches-and-pain) March 31, 2023 My first trimester of pregnancy was riddled with headaches, afternoon naps, and my learned lessons on proper nutrition and increased water... [Read More](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/the-aches-and-pain) [1](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/1) [2](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/2) [3](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/3) [4](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/4) [5](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/5) The opinions expressed in these blogs are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. [Back to top](https://blog.christopherreeve.org/en/author/kristin-beale/page/3#top)