Wheelie Adventures

Image: View out the window of an airplane, showing the planes wing and sunset clouds in the background/wheelchair travel blog

Details my personal adventures and travels as a manual wheelchair user. A reflection on travelling after a spinal cord injury and the new challenges that arise. Hoping to raise awareness and visibility for those with disabilities. As well as challenging the public perception and stigmas of those living with disabilities.

My Travel Experiences:

Canada

Canmore, Alberta: Gateway to the Canadian Rockies

 Canmore is usually only seen as a stopping point on the way to Banff, or as a cheaper place to stay when exploring Banff National Park. However, there is so much to love about this little town nestled in the Rocky Mountains. Canmore is well known for its natural beauty and outdoor recreation activities. There is also a thriving arts and foodie scene. Check out my recommendations for wheelchair accessible activities to enjoy.

The text reads: wheelchair accessible Canmore Alberta, Gateway to the Canadian Rockies. The background photo is of theA photo of the Canmore Engine Bridge with a female wheelchair user wearing a blue hat crossing the bridge with mountains in the background. _ square image

Enjoying Edmonton’s River Valley Trails as a Wheelchair User

Also known as “The Ribbon of Green” the North Saskatchewan River Valley Parks System is one of a kind. Boasting the largest stretch of connected urban parkland in North America! Not bad for a city with a population of just under 1.5 million. It encompasses 7300 hectares (18000 acres) of parkland, making it twenty-two times the size of New York’s Central Park! Altogether, there are over 160 kilometers of trails through Edmonton’s River Valley. Of these 90.6 kilometers of these are paved. At this time portions of the trail network are unconnected, but there is a plan in place by the River Valley Alliance (RVA) to fully connect 74km by 2024.

Text Reads: Enjoying Edmonton's River Valley Trails As a Wheelchair User The background image shows two wheelchair users enjoy the view from the top of a set of stairs in the River Valley. In the distance trees reflect into the river's surface and the orange glow from the sunset is visible in the sky.. Square Image

Wheelchair Ice Fishing

I will preface this by saying that I am a bad Canadian, as this was my first time ever ice fishing. But better late than never as they say. With coronavirus travel restrictions in full swing, adventure options are limited to more local escapades. So it was fitting that I finally gave ice fishing a go. Ice fishing season usually begins around late December or early January and extends until the end of March when the ice begins to melt.

The top photo shows a frozen lake surface with blue sky with white clouds overhead. Below shows a female wheelchair user wearing unglasses and a blue toque, holding a fishing rod over a hole in the ice while inside a black tent structure. The text in white reads "Wheelchair Ice Fishing" Square Image

Riviera Maya, Mexico

Iberostar Paraiso Beach : Wheelchair Accessibility

As three wheelchair users we had a fantastic time at the Iberostar Paraiso Beach resort in the Mayan Riveria! There were barrier free accessible rooms with roll in showers. Smooth step free paths around the resort. Zero entry ramps into the pool. As well as a wheelchair accessible boardwalk that went all the way across the beach! We thoroughly enjoyed our time here and would recommend it to any other wheelchair user looking for some fun in the sun!

The text reads "Iberostar Paraiso Beach Resort, Riviera Maya Mexico" The background photo shows a wheelchair users on a path surrounded by green vegetation . Square photo

The United States of America

New York City: Wheeling Around the Big Apple

It needs no introduction: “The Big Apple”, “The City That Never Sleeps”, “Gotham”, “The Capital of the World”, “A City of Neon and Chrome.”

The city so nice they named it twice: New York, New York.

We only had time for a self-guided express tour over 8 hours or so. Here are the wheelchair accessible activities we checked out.

A view of a female wheelchair user in the foreground with the colourful adverts of Times Square in the background. The text reads: "New York City: Wheeling Around the Big Apple." Square photo