I always despair when I hear people talk about their desire to travel but then follow up with some excuse about why they decided not to – usually a decision related to money or fear or a kind of manufactured excuse not to reach outside their comfort zone. That’s why I love this episode of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast so much: these guests and their families could easily decide no, travel is too hard with these disability and illness issues, so we’ll just stay home – but they don’t. Very inspiring, so enjoy!
Show notes: Episode 53 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Travel with Disability and Chronic Illness
It’s common to face a few difficulties when we travel but in Episode 53 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast I chat with three guests who face more than their fair share of challenges when they travel, because they or a family member has a disability or a chronic illness. Their stories are inspiring and of course, their desire to travel trumps the potential difficulties and I love that!
First up, I chat with Julie Jones of Have Wheelchair Will Travel who loves to travel with her family, including her son who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby and uses a wheelchair. Her down-to-earth and positive approach helps many other families get around the various obstacles wheelchair travel introduces and see the world. You might also be surprised to learn what it was that actually got travel-loving Julie travelling again!
I then speak with Ava Meena of My Meena Life, who is in her twenties and has three chronic illnesses: lupus, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Despite the debilitating pain that these can inflict, she’s determined to continue to see the world.
Finally, I talk to fellow Aussie blogger Carly Findlay, who is a writer, speaker and appearance activist. She has a skin condition called ichthyosis and it has caused her to have some pretty unsettling encounters with airlines and border staff during her travels.
Links:
- Julie’s blog Have Wheelchair Will Travel
- Have Wheelchair Will Travel Facebook community
- Ava Meena of My Meena Life
- Carly’s website at CarlyFindlay.com.au
- Join our Facebook group – Thoughtful Travellers
You might also like:
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast: Episode 2 – The Terror of Getting Lost While Travelling
The Thoughtful Travel Podcast: Episode 7 – Unexpected Travel Friends (and Monks on Facebook)
Are All Aussies Tanned and Tall? – Episode 27 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Taking Tours on Your Travels – Episode 47 of The Thoughtful Travel Podcast
Really great episode, Amanda! I’m honored to be featured alongside such inspiring travelers! I’m sharing this with the chronic illness blogging community – who so often talk about traveling and wanting to travel – I think they will love it.
Thanks so much for sharing it Ava, as well as for sharing your story, and I think all three of you are equally inspiring! It is one of my favourite episodes already, to hear such passion about travel in the face of all the various challenges. Vielen Dank xxx
An inspiring listen! Wil reshare to all my channels as well 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing, Sheryl! I agree, these guests were particularly inspiring!
Hi I’ve shared a link on PainPalsBlog “Monday Magic -Inspiring Blogs for You” regular post! Claire x
Thanks Claire – I really appreciate it! Hope your readers find it inspiring.