Monday, September 19, 2011

  Longest-living quadriplegic: Janet Barnes sets world record

COLUMBIA, MO, USA -- Born with a broken neck in 1928, Janet Barnes, a 90-pound heavyweight, sets the new world record for the Longest-living quadriplegic, according to World Record Academy (www.worldrecordacademy.com).

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  The Guinness world record for the longest living quadriplegic was set by Walton Dalton Dutcher, Jr. (b. 30 September 1936, USA), who was paralysed on 12th May, 1956.

Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the longest living hydrocephalic, set by Theresa Alvina Schaan (Canada) who was born on the 17 March 1941 and diagnosed with having congenital hydrocephalus.

  Born in Illinois, Janet Barnes spent much of her early childhood unable to move. Doctors told her parents she wouldn't live past 14.

   In first grade, a teacher gave her a pair of crutches and taught her how to use them — a skill she would use for much of her adult life.

  Barnes married Harold Barnes — who used a wheelchair as a result of polio — in 1949, and the couple raised four children. Janet Barnes worked in a photo-retouching lab in St. Louis, and although the family didn't have a lot, they always had enough, her daughter said.

  Janet Barnes moved to Columbia after her husband died in 1979. Here, she has been involved in the Community Garden Coalition and has volunteered at Shepard Boulevard and University Hospital.

  Her daughter, Angela, is capturing her mom's life story in a book she plans to self-publish in time for Janet's 83rd birthday Oct. 9.

  In addition to transcribing her mom's memories and stories, she is seeking testimonies from those who know Janet, a longtime Columbia resident.

  The upcoming book about Janet Barnes' life will include some of her poetry, including a poem she wrote in 1998 titled "May You Experience," The Columbia Daly Tribune Reports.

  Jill McClintock, her independent living specialist at Services for Independent Living, once interviewed Barnes for the SIL newsletter and questioned her about her aches and pains.

  "Basically, she said, 'Stop being so negative,' " McClintock recalled."She wouldn't focus on that. She focused on the stuff she'd done in her life, her children and her husband. … I consider her my life coach."

Related world records:  
Longest handcycle ride: Ryan Nichols

Longest Moving Wheelchair Line - Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Heaviest Plane Pulled by wheelchair users-DBFA

Longest wheelie in a wheelchair: Michael Miller

Largest gathering of wheelchair users on ice: PSI Network Leeds

Back flip in a wheelchair: Aaron Fotheringham

Oldest Living Twins: Ena Pugh and Lily Millward

Oldest Living Twins: Raymonde Saumade and Lucienne Grare

Oldest living conjoined twins: George and Lori Schappell (Video)

Most fingers and toes: Akshat Saxena (Video)

Oldest living male conjoined twins: Donnie and Ronnie Galyon

Oldest living man with Down syndrome: Bert Holbrook

Monday, September 19, 2011