Wheelchair User & Chronic Illness Blogger

Natasha Lipman is a chronic illness blogger and Instagrammer from London. She writes about her experiences of navigating chronic illness as she makes her way into her thirties. Natasha started blogging in 2013 as a way to manage her feelings about her chronic illnesses. At the time, she was, unfortunately, hitting ‘rock bottom’ health-wise and was struggling to cope. At the age of 24, Natasha genuinely thought that her life was over and that she would never be able to function well enough to have any form of social life, let alone work.

Natasha is now a journalist for a major broadcaster, working part-time from home. She set up a youth journalism project from home, including co-founding the first online platform for young Libyans to talk about their experiences of the Revolution, which won her a trip to India to meet Richard Branson with the Virgin Media Pioneers. Through her writing, Natasha’s goal is to share her experiences of how she copes with chronic illnesses, including the ups, downs, and everything in between.

To learn more about Natasha and this episode, visit: https://blog.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/podcast-wheelchair-user-chronic-illness-blogger/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

The Wheelchair Tourist

This week’s guest is Tobias Binder AKA The Wheelchair Tourist. Tobias was born prematurely which caused his tetraplegia. He has always been eager to travel to new places, meet new people and to simply live a 'normal' life. In his teenage years, he fell in love with American and British culture. He has travelled to the USA and the UK several times. One main reason to visit these countries are the theme parks. Tobias has found that a lot of US and UK theme parks (and of course the rides) are quite accessible.

The spark of the idea of a journey, the whole planning process and the way an idea develops into an experience is what inspires him. Travelling is essential to Tobias. He loves getting away, seeing new things, experiencing new places – and after all coming back home with lots of new impressions give him energy for everyday life. Tobias shares his experiences through his social media handle and blog called The Wheelchair Tourist. He hopes to inspire other wheelchair users to go out and explore the world themselves.

To learn more about Tobias and this episode, visit: https://blog.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/podcast-the-wheelchair-tourist/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Wheelchair Road Trippers

Niek and Leanne are a young couple from The Netherlands. In 2015, Niek ended up in a wheelchair due to cancer in his spinal cord. The second metastasis in the back swelled up so much that it caused damage to the nervous system and resulted in paraplegia. Despite the huge obstacles the young couple have had to face, they are determined to continue enjoying the normal things in life. They are committed to showing what is still possible through their social media handle Take it Laesie, which documents the life of the young couple embarking on camping and road trip adventures all over the world. Their aim by sharing their adventures online is to motivate and inspire people, and also to provide suitable tips and advice about travelling with paraplegia.

To learn more about Niek and Leanne and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/wheelchair-road-trippers/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

The Importance of Character & Individuality for People with Disabilities

Elizabeth Wright is an Australian Paralympic swimmer. Having swum at two Paralympic games, Elizabeth walked away with 3 Paralympic medals. Not only that but Elizabeth also walked away with a drive to help other people thrive in their own lives.

After retiring from Paralympic swimming she was left wondering "what enabled me to stick with my sport and be resilient to bounce back from setbacks?"

Elizabeth Wright was born with a physical disability at a time when children like her would be sent to special schools. Her parents fought for her inclusion in mainstream schooling. This experience enabled her to grow in self-belief and confidence and to ultimately go on to win three Paralympic medals. Elizabeth left the sport of swimming knowing she could achieve her goals. Elizabeth wanted to understand what it was that had enabled her to fulfil her potential, that is when she discovered character. Elizabeth moved to the UK to pursue a career in speaking, focusing on schools. Elizabeth’s aim is to help pupils thrive in all aspects of their lives; the programme is a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to resilience and wellbeing, and includes fun activities that engage and motivate.

To learn more about Elizabeth and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/the-importance-of-character-individuality-for-people-with-disabilities/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Wheelchair Skier & Mentor For Accessible Travel

Sebastian Forsen is not a famous athlete or Paraylmpian, however, he has shown incredible resilience and strong will to overcome the obstacles presented to him. When he was 19 years old Sebastian had an accident while skiing, which left him in a wheelchair. Since then, he has been traveling the world and participating in many different kinds of sports. He also works for a rehab center in Sweden, teaching disabled people how to adapt to life in a wheelchair. Sebastian also has a vision of creating and planning itineraries for accessible group travel.

Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Sebastian believes it is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. There are hidden swimming spots, great food and the locals are happy - especially in Summer. Being a keen swimmer and a wheelchair user it can be hard to find good spots to get in the water. However, there are so many waterways and lakes throughout Stockholm that are great for swimming with easy access. As well as swimming, Sebastian is a keen skier. Skiing since the age of 3, Sebastian believes it is something that defines who he is. Ironically, it was due to a snowboarding accident that Sebastian broke his back and ultimately became a Paraplegic. Sebastian has since begun sit-skiing, and by doing so has shown impressive mental fortitude by continuing to do what he loves despite his life-altering injury.

To learn more about Sebastian and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/wheelchair-skier-mentor-for-accessible-travel/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Paralympic Judoka

Paralympic Judoka, Jack Hodgson, was born with Usher syndrome – a rare hereditary condition which has left Jack profoundly deaf for most of his life. Since the age of 12 has had tunnel vision the size of a 5p piece. However, now a Worlds silver medalist and paralympian, Jack is training full time at the British Judo Centre of Excellence alongside Judokas from the Olympic and Paralympic programs. Recently, Jack has graduated from the University of Wolverhampton with a degree in Sports Coaching Practice. Despite the challenges Jack faces with his disability he has been able to achieve these goals alongside his commitments as a full time athlete.

To learn more about Jack and this episode, visit: https://blog.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/paralympic-judoka/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Life as the Father of a Wheelchair User & Founder of Handiscover

Sebastien Archambeaud, Founder and CEO of Handiscover, is an entrepreneur, surfer, husband and father living in Sweden. Travelling is a huge part of life for Sebastien and his family. They are constantly looking to escape the cold of Northern Europe searching for waves and warmer weather. However, Sebastien’s son, Teo, has muscle disease and requires a wheelchair. Throughout their travels, Sebastien and his family realised how challenging it was for them to find accommodations adapted to their son’s needs. 

Sebastien started the company Handiscover to address these particular challenges and to help those facing similar difficulties. Now, together with a great crew of supporters, ambassadors and a really strong team; Handiscover’s aim is to empower and enable billions of people who have some form of disability, to discover the world.

To learn more about Sebastien and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/life-as-the-father-of-a-wheelchair-user-founder-of-handiscover/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Wheelchair Model and Inclusive Fashion Advocate

Samanta Bullock had dreams of walking down the catwalk at London Fashion Week from a very young age. However, tragically, after accidentally shooting herself with her father’s shotgun at age 14, Samanta was told she would never walk again. Her dreams were shattered. Samanta then turned her focus to tennis and becoming the best Brazilian played in a wheelchair, competing at the Paralympics.

In recent years Samanta has realised her dreams of modelling and is now focused on creating her own line of clothing. Having been a wheelchair model from an early age, Samanta has always felt frustrated by the lack of luxurious clothing available for disabled people. Working as an advocate for inclusion within the fashion industry, Samanta has decided to join forces with some of the most innovative emerging designers to develop her brand, ‘SB’ – a unique line of clothing based on the principle that “it’s not about being disabled, but about feeling beautiful and comfortable whilst in the sitting position”.

Born in Brazil, Samanta moved to London 10 years ago and has since dedicated her life to improving the lives of people living with disabilities. She hopes that her collection will open people’s minds and hearts.

“We must be seen to exist”.

To learn more about Samanta and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/wheelchair-model-inclusive-fashion-advocate/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Adventurer, Inspirational Speaker & Wheelchair User

Adventurer and inspirational speaker, Aron Anderson, has achieved feats that most people would think unimaginable, especially for someone in a wheelchair. In 1996, aged 7, Aron Anderson was diagnosed with cancer in his lower back. After an extremely tough period of chemotherapy and radiation treatments the cancer was removed. However, Aron lost functions in both of his legs.

Since then Aron has become the first person in a wheelchair to climb to the peak of Sweden’s highest mountain Kebnekaise. He has also climbed to the top of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, he’s swum 37 kilometres across the Sea of Åland, arm-biked from Malmö to Paris and skied 300 kilometres across Antarctica to the South Pole. His unique experiences have taught him the importance of a strong team spirit and a positive mental attitude. He now uses these experiences working as a motivational speaker and a successful ambassador for the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation.

To learn more about Aron and this episode, visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/adventurer-inspirational-speaker-wheelchair-user/

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!

Wheelchair Travel Tips

Wheelchair user, Mathew Goodwin is a British trapshooter and coach competing internationally in Para/Olympic Trap. Mat is also a World Cup Gold and Silver medalist, 3 times World Record Holder and World champion in the 3 man team event. In 1996, when he was 18 years old Mat became paralysed after he was involved in a car accident. After coming to terms with his disability and overcoming this huge emotional and physical hardship Mat is now a professional clay shooter, travelling all over the world competing.

Visit: https://www.handiscover.com/content/tips-articles/wheelchair-travel-tips/ For more information about Mat and this episode.

Visit www.handiscover.com and use the code Travel30 to get 30 GBP off your first booking with Handiscover!