As a child, I felt a lot of shame. Growing up at the Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, I was just like all the other patients. Once I was sent home, I was different than everyone else in my town, including all of my family members. I walked and moved differently than the other children … [Read more…]
The Maniniholo Dry Cave on Kauai Island is an amazing feat of nature. It goes back over 100 feet, and I was thrilled to walk all the way to the back. The only thing hiding at the back of this deep, dark cave is tourists, but what are you hiding in the deep, dark corners … [Read more…]
As a child, I avoided swimming. My manager parts wouldn’t let me go swimming because it meant I would have to take off my artificial legs in front of other people. A young part of me believed that it was shameful to have artificial legs and that no one else wanted to see them. It … [Read more…]
I think that my childhood years, spent largely in the hospital and then feeling very much as an outsider in my family’s world, are a big part of what causes me to seek adventure and to love travel. Despite two prosthetic legs and the world telling me that I shouldn’t be able to do certain things, I … [Read more…]
Let’s be honest – most people don’t explore California by bike! But after years of riding motorized bikes, I decided it was time to hop back on a real bike and see the city at a slower pace. Santa Barbara is beautiful.
#ThrowbackThursday to a gorgeous day golfing. I love golfing. As a child, I wasn’t allowed to participate in many sports, as my parents would not have been able to afford to replace a prosthetic leg if I had damaged it. Of course, I didn’t understand that reasoning and just felt excluded. Now, as an adult, … [Read more…]
#ThrowbackThursday to my short-lived “biker” days- in fact, for a while, I sold bikes! Trail bikes like these ones gave me a way to spend time with my brother. My whole life I have been determined not to let the fact that I have two prosthetic legs slow me down. As a child, I was … [Read more…]
Designed in the style of Italian villages, Portmeirion, Wales, is truly a beautiful destination, with plenty of colourful hidden alleyways like this one. I love exploring new places, and am truly grateful for the prosthetic legs that allow me to wander through cities like this!