Differently Enabled Adventures: Pushing the limits of what is possible

When Carrie asked her friend Katrina to accept a job working for her as an “adventure specialist,” neither really understood just what that job would entail. That Carrie used a wheelchair after 20 years battling MS (Multiple Sclerosis) and that the adventures she envisioned involved traveling to multiple countries, Mexico, Guatemala and Italy among them, created some obvious issues. Carrie particularly wanted to visit some nonprofit projects she has supported over the years and see the sites of ancient Rome and Pompeii. Beyond just visiting exciting places, these two adventurers found accessible ways to enjoy hot air balloon flying, kayaking, ziplining, sledding, rafting, tubing, snorkeling, and parasailing. Some of the adventures in water play happened close to their homes in Washington State. During the eight months of their odyssey, they recorded their adventures and their responses in photographs and journals that became a blog and now a book. Their intent is to encourage others to be open to possibilities of adventure in the face of any sort of resistance or physical challenges.Proceeds from the sale of the book will go to two groups they met during their travels: a wheelchair factory in Antigua Guatemala called Transitions; mobilizing Guatemalans with disabilities through rehabilitation, education, leadership skills, social integration and employment. And to the Rolling Pilot, Michael Glen, the first paraplegic hot air balloon pilot who now travels internationally to speak with youth about overcoming personal challenges to meet their life goals. Read more