Public areas are known to have a higher concentrated amount of germs, especially any form of public transportation, so protect yourself. Build up your immune system around 5 or more days with a super power multi-vitamin, like AirBorne. Vitamin C is also a great germ fighter and can also be taken on top of this. Get your body stronger before you go to that initial airport or train station. Take these immune boosters on your tip to keep fueling your body’s natural defense system. Plus, it will give you more energy to push yourself to see more while you travel.

To further fight off a bug that might slow you down, combine the immunity boosters with an antibacterial disinfectant. This comes in many forms: gels, lotions, sprays, and wipes. Use these while you are in crowed areas to preventing the spreading of bacteria. To keep it as clean as possible in the restroom, think about carrying a disinfectant on a disposable cloth, like WetOnes. You can such cloths to wipe down the toilet seat and handrails if you are really concerned about germs.

Keeping yourself healthy while traveling equates to a number of different areas, one is protecting yourself from common illnesses that spread easily as specified above but another is subtle and sometimes hard to detect. Without active use of ones legs, those in wheelchairs are prone to blood clots. Blood clots can be a silent killer and for many cannot be felt. The most dangerous time for something like this to occur is flying. The drop in cabin pressure further compresses blood flow. Though one should check for hot spots as an indicator there are ways to help prevent this from occurring. Think of adding baby aspirin to your body booster combo. Baby aspirin thins the blood which allows it to flow more freely and it’s extremely gentle on the stomach; gentle enough for babies.

Something else you can do to improve your blood circulation on a plane flight and the rest of your trip is to wear compression socks.  These tight fitting socks come in either knee or thigh high and in black, white, and nude. They are virtually indistinguishable from your average sock or stocking. The socks are also available in different pressure levels. It is the tightest around the ankles and gradually digresses, pushing the blood back to the heart. Having your blood flow at tip top shape helps your whole body function better, including healing itself.  One can buy compression socks at a local drug store, Target, doctor’s office, or on the Internet.

The next item that always gets in my suitcase is my Waffle Air Cushion. This portable and waterproof air cushion folds down to the size of a thin undershirt. It‘s most purposeful use is in the shower. Often times a bench or chair that a hotel, for example, provides may be a hard wood or plastic that does not give you enough soft support while you sit and shower. One must be aware of the safety and condition of one’s skin to not get a breakdown. Using the Waffle Air Cushion is generally a good idea even if the bench or chair is padded for sanitary reasons.  This air cushion could also come in handy on and airplane or car ride where the seat provided doesn’t relieve enough pressure.

This may not apply to those in electric chairs or scooters, but for those using a manual wheelchair I highly recommend bringing two Alan Wrenches or whatever tool is needed to remove the front little wheels.  This may be needed if the wheels get plugged up with hair or whatnot, making it harder to push; different kinds of sediment, like sand or clay, can also have this effect and erode the metal.  Sometimes this build-up may get so bad that one needs to change the bearings, so it’s suggested that you bring a spare pair along with you. Bearings are very tiny and will take up no suitcase space so you will be incredibly happy that you brought them if you do need a fresh set.

The last suggestion that will make your traveling experience more enjoyable is watching your diet. Foods that your body is not used to can affect a person in different ways, so allow your body time to adjust to the new oils, spices, etc. in order to avoid unpleasant outcomes. Above all else mentioned so far, the grandest thing you can do for yourself to ensure happy travels is to drink lots of water. Water is life and makes everything better. Most people think they get enough water but do not take into account that caffeine is terribly dehydrating. One glass of water and a cup of coffee pretty much cancel each other out, leaving your body dry. Blood is 92 percent water, the brain and muscles are 75 percent water, and bones are about 22 percent water. There’s nothing better you can do for your body than to drink water.  Especially when you are traveling, dealing with altitude and climate changes let alone getting a good physical workout (perhaps more so than usual) all makes you dehydrated. This is not just travel advice, it’s life advice, so have a glass now!

Here is the check list for healthy wheelchair traveling:

1. Airborne and Vitamin C
2. Antibacterial Disinfectant
3. Compression Socks
4. Baby Aspirin
5. Waffle Air Cushion
6. 2 Alan Wrenches & Bearings
7. Diet Consciousness
8. WATER

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La Lézardière is a wheelchair accessible villa located in the backcountry of the Provence, a famous part of Southern France known for its wine and lavender fields. It’s about 40km off the coast to make it secluded enough to avoid tourist traffic but close enough to take day trips to popular attractions. After the owner of the property became paralyzed it was converted to be wheelchair accessible and is now available for rent.

The main building of the property is the one that is wheelchair accessible and is in the center of the property. Inside there are two bedrooms and bathrooms but only one bedroom and bathroom is accessible. The bathroom has a roll-in shower with hand-held nozzle and a commode/shower chair is available.  The main building also has a full kitchen, equipped with refrigerator, oven, stove, and dishwasher. There is also a large living room with a table seating 8-10 people and satellite TV. This room is open to those staying in the main building as well as the guest house.  In addition, the main building has a lovely office with large windows that look out onto the landscape.

No matter where you want to go at La Lézardière you will find smoothly paved paths. This includes access to the various terraces to sit outside and enjoy good company. Even if it rains there is a covered terrace with an outdoor table so you can still be in the fresh air.  Right outside the accessible main building is a pool, in which a mechanical chair lift can help someone using a wheelchair down into the pool.

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Availability & Prices

Like most small European towns, the ones near La Lézardière are not up to high ADA standards found in America. Some areas of the older towns may have cobble stones and stairs but there are ways of getting around this, like sticking to the paved streets. One usually won’t have trouble getting through the door of a restaurant or shop but if there is a stair or two, there’s always a friendly face willing to help. Finding a wheelchair accessible restroom can be a bit of a search but not impossible. France is working on improving accessibility.

One such town is Cotignac and is about a 30 minute walk or 5 minute drive from La Lézardière.  Cotignac rests at the foothill of a jagged hillside. It was originally carved out in ancient times and is regarded a sacred. Each Tuesday there is a colorful market with local arts, crafts, fresh produce, and more.  There is even a spectacular waterfall nearby.  Aups is another town to explore as well as Aix-en-Provence which is an old and well respected university town. Famous artists as Cezanne or Picasso have once lived there. Finally, Tourtour is a scenic artist village, “Le village au ciel.” You have a spectacular view from the house to this beautiful village on top of a mountain.

Another attraction while staying at La Lézardière to see is le Thoronet, a romantic monastery built by the strict Zisterzinser brotherhood in the 12th century. It belongs to the world heritage sites. Today it is open to the public as museum. A visit is very rewarding, however, one using a manual wheelchair will need a good amount of assistance. There are many stairs inside throughout and because of this, there is no admission fee for a wheelchair user and his or her companions. For someone in a power chair, viewing the inside of the monastery is almost impossible. However, the courtyard is accessible via an unpaved ramp. Furthermore, the National Park of Gorge du Verdon is the largest canyon in Europe and although it is not accessible, you can still enjoy the incredible views by driving around it.

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With views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge, the Marina District of San Francisco is a beautiful way to explore the shoreline of the bay. One of the most popular areas is the Fisherman’s Wharf. It’s a bustling hub of fresh fish markets, tourist shops, and restaurants. The Fisherman’s Grotto is by far the most well-known because it was the first sit-down restaurant at Fisherman’s Wharf. Nearby is a wonderful place called Buena Vista to get Irish coffee. There is no permanent ramp to the front entrance but a wooden one can be brought out. It’s a little cramped once you get inside but oh so worth it. If you are not in the mood for an Irish coffee then you have the choice of a full bar and large pub menu.

Also in this area are ferry’s that can take you to Alcatraz. From June-September is a high tourist season for this attraction, so it’s highly recommended that you purchase your tickets online at least a day in advance (if available). It is possible to get tickets the day of during this time but if this is your plan then get to there in the morning. Once you get over to the island there is an accessible front entrance to the famous cellblock where the Birdman of Alcatraz was incarcerated.

If you follow along the Embarcadero eventually you’ll see Ghirardelli Square a couple of block away up the hill on the corner of Beach and Larkins Street. This is a very steep hill so some assistance may be needed if not traveling by car. A good distance down the road, there is a great bay-side walkway that wraps around Fort Mason. In this neighborhood you can escape the over-crowed tourist areas and enjoy some refreshing open and views of Alcatraz and the Gold Gate Bridge. There are not that many places to get food really close by but there is the Safeway grocery store where you can get sandwiches and use the restroom.

The Fort Mason Center is a multi-complex that is rented out by various companies and organizations, check out the calendar of events. Some of spaces are home to resident non profit organizations provide you with information on printmaking, river rafting, broadcasting, theater, dance, marine ecosystems, and more. Located on the 3rd floor of Building is the Environmental Traveling Companions that takes groups of people with physical disabilities on outdoor adventures, like kayaking and white water rafting. This organization does not limit itself to the Bay Area or even California.

In the distance over the roof tops of the lavish bay-side homes you might catch a glimpse of a giant gold dome from the marina. This beautiful structure is actually the San Francisco Exploratorium: the museum of science, art and human perception. It is designed to spark curiosity—regardless of your age or familiarity with science. Touch, pick up, and tinker with hundreds of exhibits. It is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10am-5pm  and is a great place to take young children.  There is handicapped parking outside and admission is at a reduced rate for the physically disabled and if you are traveling with a large group and make a reservation they will also receive a discount, see complete disabled access information.

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1. Please tell me a little about yourself.

Well, I recently turned 41, which will mark my 25^th year as a quadriplegic, or as I like to tell people… professional disabled hunter.  I grew up hunting on the Texas gulf coast, and really fell in love with it the day my dad took me on a duck hunt when I was about 12. From then on, I knew I’d be involved with hunting for the rest of my life.

When I was paralyzed back in the summer of 1986 in a diving accident, it was the one thing I knew I couldn’t stop doing. Three months later, I was back in the woods deer hunting. Eighteen years after that, Streamlight & Buckmasters’ American Deer Foundation voted me Challenged Hunter of the Year for 2004.

In the between time, I’d been going afield after big game all across the United States and in three different countries. I created a website called Follow Me Outdoors in 1996 which has been one of the longest running and most extensive websites for disabled outdoors & recreation.

I also started free lance writing for magazines across the west when I discovered I had a talent for outdoor articles.  To date, I’ve been published in Rack Magazine, King’s Hunting Illustrated, Eastman’s Hunting Journal, Horizontal Bowhunter Magazine, United Federation For Disabled Archer’s Magazine, and Turkey & Turkey Hunting magazine.

I have a degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Science and another in Counseling from Texas A&M and the University of Houston, respectively. I suppose both are a study of animals. More recently, I’ve been finding ways to be more involved in hunting than ever before.

2. What was the inspiration behind your website, www.followmeoutdoors.com?

When I first got out of rehab and looking for info about adaptive equipment for disabled hunters, there wasn’t much to be had.  The internet was just getting started and the few bits and pieces of info I found were so hard to find that I decided to start my own site and put it all in one place.

3. Were you a hunter and outdoorsman before the chair?

Definitely!  I caught the fire pretty young.  I had a great childhood.  My dad taught me to hunt and my grandpaw taught me how to be a fisherman.

4. Who goes with you on your trips hunting or fishing? Do you camp overnight or stay somewhere?

My dad usually goes on the big trips.  Sometimes we’ll invite another hunting friend of his to come along.  A lot of hunting is simply being in the outdoors.  I have several friends that I’ve been on trips with too though, but those trips are mostly in Texas.

I have camped, but it’s tough.  We usually stay in a lodge or in a cheap motel as close as we can to where we will be hunting.

5. Where is the furthest place you’ve traveled to go hunting? Do you have a favorite place?

That’s an easy one, South Africa last year.  I believe it’s about halfway around the world.  My favorite place right now is New Mexico.  It’s such a beautiful state with so many different kinds of terrain, from desert plains to volcanic flats to mountains, but I haven’t been to Alaska yet.

6. Please explain a day with you hunting. What do you need assistance with? Are there times when you don’t need anyone’s help?

Cell phone alarm goes off a couple hours before sunrise.  I need a little help getting dressed and then my buddy and I will get all the gear together that we’re going to need.  Then he’ll load most of it in the back of my truck while I go get one of my dogs from the back.  I usually drive out to the blind or whatever field we’re hunting that day, and sometimes need help getting to the blind if we can’t drive right up to it.  After that, all I need some help with is getting my chest support straps on.

Oh yeah, there’s been plenty of times when I’ve hunted by myself.  Those are some of the best times because it reminds me of what it was like when I was younger.  It’s just nice to know you can still do some things on your own still.  I savor those opportunities.

7. What do you love about fishing? What is an experience you’ll always remember?

Fishing is more peaceful.  It’s a quiet sport.  Gives a man a lot of time to think about things and teaches him to think about things and to listen to all the little happenings that are going on around him.  I love everything about it, the smell of the salt air on the coast, the sounds of the bays at first light and a spinning reel’s drag whining when a bull red is stripping line off of it as he runs.

I’ll always remember fishing with my grandfather as a little boy on the coast & the first time I went 40 miles offshore fishing and caught my first dorado.

8. Was it the lack of available information on accessible hunting that inspired you to create your website or was it another outdoor activity?

Mainly a lack of info.  I wanted to make it easy for others who were looking.  Then when I started to add my stories from my own experiences, it really took off.

9. You seem to have done a lot of outdoors activities, but what is your favorite activity? Please explain. What haven’t you tired yet but would like to?

I love being in the water, so it would have to be swimming or something like water skiing or jet skiing.  It’s hot in Texas so we grew up in the water.  One thing I haven’t tried yet is SNUBA.  It’s like scuba but you don’t have to get certified or wear those heavy tanks.

10.  Are you doing these recreational activities every weekend? Couple times a month? As much as you can? What do you do the most of?

I do as much as I can, which turns out to be a couple times a month.  With SCI, there are a lot of times when you’re battling infections or some other kind of mystery pain.  Sometimes you just have to outlast it and then start going & doing again.

11.  Do you compete in any of the activities that you do?

No, I never was one for the organized sports.  The outdoors is my arena.  I do compete in poker.  Does that count?

12.  Are you more active pre or post injury?

Definitely pre.  My body just can’t handle as much now.  A person can still keep their mind active though.

13.  What would you say to a newly injured wheelchair user about personal growth through recreational activities?

That’s another easy one… get out and do stuff.  It doesn’t matter what, and it doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like it, just get out.  Figure out what it is your have fun doing and then do it.  I learned several new hobbies post injury, like writing, travel, photography & poker.  Be active and take good care of your skin.

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In 2004, my friend Nicole and I decided to go to Berlin, Germany for 10 days during our spring break.  She proposed the idea to me because she had always wanted to travel there. At that time I had only been to Greece and Turkey and was itching to go back to Europe. Italy and Spain were high on my list and honestly never thought about Germany. Being that Nicole was very petite and unable to assist me physically to any extent, I was very concerned about Berlin’s wheelchair accessibility.  Nicole is an incredibly throughout researcher and assured me that Berlin and our hotel would be accessible enough, so we booked our flights and soon enough were on a plane to Berlin.

Our spring break fell in April which is a month in Germany when the sun does not come out much and is on the chillier side.  I still was optimistic that the sun would peak through since I am a California Leo, but it didn’t. Nonetheless, the cooler weather ended up adding to the uniqueness of the memory and Nicole and I rolled with it, often stopping for Chi Tea.  When we arrived at our adorable Domicil Hotel we were greeted by a warm and welcoming staff that showed us to our room. I held my breath in anticipation of seeing the bathroom that was supposedly accessible. I have encountered many disappointing setups despite what the reservationist tells me. However, it was not the case this time. The bathroom was magnificent and truly made my stay ever so comfortable. It was exceptionally large with a small pull-down wooden bench and a hand-held shower nozzle that I could roll right up to. An accessible roll-in shower is always my top concern. If a hotel has that then everything else is will work out.  The staff was lovely all around and helpful in every way. The hotel also offered a continental German breakfast which was a convenient and healthy way to start our day.

Berlin was a marvelous city and in 10 days we could not do and see all we desired, but we tried. Nicole had a general itinerary that I was happy to follow and so each morning we would wake up fairly early, had a little breakfast and eagerly headed out to explore the city. We walked a lot and I enjoyed the overall flat terrain and newly paved sidewalks. The Domicil Hotel was about a 10 minute walk to the train station called the S and U Bahn, which allowed us to explore more of Berlin. Not every station was wheelchair accessible but most were; maps at the stations indicated these stops. Sometimes we walked quite a bit to get to our planned destination but it didn’t matter because we were here to be in the city and feel her unique energy. Plus, it’s a joy to see and experience something you were not expecting, like an outdoor flea market with all kinds of treasures.  The name of the station we often started at was called Zoological Garden and we later found out there was a zoo right there in the middle of the city but it was one of the most depressing zoos I have ever been too.

For the most part our daily activities centered around the arts. We saw Roman artifacts at the Pergamon Museum, a well-rounded collection of fine art at the Zu Gast In Der Neuen National Gallery including many Picasso pieces, and modern art the Deutsche Guggenheim. Late one afternoon we enjoyed the soothing sounds of a world class pianist at the Berlin Philharmonic. We were also pleased to stumble upon a small jazz club with a local live band and had a chill night listening with a drink and flavored clove.  Not too far from our hotel was the Komische Opera, hosting many modern plays, operas, ballets and more. Nicole and I saw a modern dance/ballet called baRock.  All around Berlin were incredible displays of architecture. Living in California where earthquakes require buildings codes, I had never seen such limitless imagination in architecture design.  Even the historical Reichstag Building had a dome and roof terrace added where you can get a 360 view of Berlin via the spiraling internal ramp, which had resting points along the way for manual wheelchairs.

Berlin is also a city with a lot of history and it was my desire to see a little bit of it and so we walk alongside the Berlin Wall, or what’s left of it, and felt its profound significance. The Berlin Cathedral, built in 1451, was also a sight to see with its ceiling-high stained glass windows even if you are not of that religion. We choose to not plan on visiting sites dealing with the Nazis and holocaust but did stop at a couple of places while we were out walking. A movie theater that served beer and wine, a new concept for me, was showing “Good-Bye Lennon,” and so we bought tickets to add to our historical experience.

Besides spending one night’s immersed in the music and arts Berlin has to offer, one can easily get swept up in the hip nightlife scene. There’s everything from pubs to funky beach bars to fetish clubs, many with live bands playing standard rock, alternative and techno.  In light of this, Nicole and I decided to dedicated one night to heaving drinking and partying and can honestly say it was one of the craziest nights I’ve ever had and will leave it at that. Berlin lives up to nightlife expectations just be sure you are careful.

Due to the cooler weather, there were few beer gardens alive and serving. One afternoon we did run into one and stopped for a tall stout German beer though we were basically drinking alone. We didn’t dive full into German cuisine but one day did enjoy a tasty spicy German bockwurst hotdog.  Surprisingly, Berlin had many Asian inspired restaurants that were incredibly tasty and authentic. Our favorite was a charming place called Jules Verne with delicious Thai food.

I had no idea what to expect of Berlin. I knew it was a modern city but still could not help but picture a countryside village in Germany with lots of lederhosen. Though I am sure the more isolated places of Germany are lush with beauty, they are likely far less accessible than the world city of Berlin. For a little over a week Berlin captivated me like a mystery novel, never knowing what was around the corner and what adventure us two characters would experience.  We could have stayed at least another week in Berlin but doubt that we could have covered everything that makes this city great. Regardless, the small window of time exploring Berlin was an accessible adventure never to be forgotten and a destination I recommended to any world traveler.


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Thirty minutes from San Francisco in the South Bay is a historical piece of land known as Filoli. Construction of the 654 acres was originally developed for a gold mining billionaire, William Bowers Bourn, and his family in 1915 however both Mr. and Mrs. Bourn died in 1936. The following year the property was bought by  Mr. and Mrs. William P. Roth, who owned the Matson Navigation Company. Mrs. Roth made Filoli her home for 75 years and when she passed donated it National Trust for Historic Preservation for future generations to enjoy.

The 36,000 square foot Georgian Estate is one of the finest remaining examples of early 20th century country estate architecture. Touring inside the estate is accessible for someone using a manual or electric wheelchair. There are two ramps to get inside but are no located near the main entrance. The first one is on the left side adjacent to the gift shop and the other is on the backside where the gardens are. While the property remains open, the doors remain unlocked. The rooms available for viewing are on the ground floor and tours are available but not required. Each room is magnificent and one can picture the aristocrat Roth family living in luxury and throwing extravagant parties as they loved to do. One of the most impressive rooms in the house is the ballroom (below top left photo), in which a live piano player on stage sets the mood and helps one to visualize its grandness. This room is the largest in the house with a ceiling height of approximately 26′6″. Surrounding this room are large paintings of Muckross, a country that the original owner Mr. Roth wanted to travel to but never got to due to paralysis from a stroke in 1921. Other rooms to see at the estate include a dining room (below top right photo), two kitchens, library and the “Drawing Room” (below bottom right photo) which was used as the room the ladies would retire while the men could smoked cigars and drink Brandy at the dinner table. Each room has its own unique character with exquisite craftsmanship and decor from the beams to the rugs, many materials imported from all over the world.

16 acres of formal gardens surround the estate of Fioli. It is no wonder why Mrs. Roth loved the gardens and would spend a lot of her time here. With so many different gardens and pathways it is easy to feel like you are wondering through heaven. There are water features all over the gardens to add to the renaissance ambiance. There is also a pool and green room. Not all 16 acres are accessible but a lot of it is. Some areas have even been converted to have ramps (below left photo). There is map available highlighting the wheelchair accessible path to explore the garden; otherwise, you could end up at a staircase or some other difficult obstacle. The pathways are made up of different materials: brick, stone, dirt, and gravel rocks. When it has been raining the gravel rocks and dirt blow mix together a bit and can be difficult to maneuver a manual wheelchair through.

In addition to the estate museum and gardens there is a cafe with a visitors center as well as a gift shop with unique items. The visitor center also holds a gallery of local artists that changes every couple of months and a small movie theater where you can watch a video on the history of Filoli. Fioli is open Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 3:30 pm and Sunday 11:00 am – 3:30 pm. The cost to visit and preserve Filoli is $5 for kids 5-17, $12 for seniors, and $15 for adults.

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Whether it is a day trip or overnight vacation to Yosemite, the only place to go to for Sunday brunch is the historic Awhahnee Hotel. From 7am to 3pm each table in the grand dining room is beautifully set along the large windows and 34ft hand-crafted beams. The gentle sound of a live piano player adds to the ambiance. The best view in the room is located in the alcove, so request this to the host. There is a changing menu if you know what you want; however, the most popular choice is the buffet. The Awhahnee is an elegant dining experience and the prices reflect that. For obvious reasons the buffet is more expensive than ordering off the menu.

It was easy to see why the buffet was more expensive based on the delicious selections. There were all kinds of salads, oysters, salmon, a carving, omelet and sushi station where cooks were hard at work.  American classics like scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes was also available. House-made scones and jam found it’s way to my plate. Overall it was difficult to choose what to eat because everything looked and smelled amazing and this was even before I thought about dessert.

A wheelchair accessible uni-sex bathroom is located on the 2nd floor via elevator. A number of handicapped parking spots are located directly outside the hotel but fill up quickly; therefore, there is a drop off space in front of the entrance. Reservations for dinner are strongly recommended and the hotel says that having one for breakfast, lunch, or bunch only gets you that much faster. Plus, you can request to sit in the alcove where the best view is.

Awhahnee Hotel
(209) 372-1489
Make Reservations Online

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La Jolla is a more upscale part of San Diego with multi-million ocean front homes and businesses. It is a beautiful area for a wheelchair traveler to visit at least an hour or two, even if it’s just walking around to enjoy the sights. There are a couple of cafes, restaurants, and bars on Prospect Street mixed in with galleries and shops. If looking for a fine dining experience, then head to the Valencia Hotel.

The Valencia Hotel is world-class luxury resort built in 1926. The beautiful design mixed with the breathtaking ocean views made it a favorite spot to use for many Hollywood films and the acting stars were frequent guests of the hotel. The various dining spaces are setup a to create different ambiances to fulfill whatever kind of mood you are in. No matter what the time of day, if the weather is pleasant as it usually is, the Terrace Patio is a popular choice. With clear views of the Pacific Ocean and gardens, why wouldn’t it be? More on dining at the Valencia Hotel.

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At the end of Shelter Island Drive is a large harbor in San Diego with an incredible view of the Gaslamp District skyline. Operating out of one of the offices right on the harbor’s edge is a non-profit company called Challenged America. This great organization offers adaptive sailing for adults and kids with disabilities. Anyone can sail through this program, paraplegics, quadriplegics, and the blind. Since it is entirely operated by volunteers an appointment is necessary. There is also no fee for this thrilling experience. One must also keep in mind that sailing depends on nature’s elements, and everyone’s safety is the most important.

I sailed with Challenged America on a beautiful day in April and considering I have never sailed before, I really did not know what to expect. When I arrived I was great by the friendly crew of Challenged America. All of them have a deep passion for sailing and were incredible people. The company has a number of boats that all have been donated over the years, some larger ones require a a full crew. There are all kinds of programs Challenged America is involved with, including a summer one-week clinic  for veterans.

To get down where the boats are are dock one must travel down a long walkway (shown above). About 85% of the ramp is at a decline of 65 degrees and the  remaining feet drops to about 30 degrees. Therefore, some may need assistance from one of volunteers, which they are happy to give. There were a couple of boats lined up and after a little maneuvering the crew got one positioned so I could be transferred into the boat. One volunteer assisted in slipping a hoist underneath me and then another pumped the crank the hoist was attached to that lifted me entirely out of my wheelchair. I was then lowered and guided to the seat of the boat with my cushion on it. Once I was seated I could see all the many ropes to sail the boat, again something I knew nothing about.

Although Captain Doug came along with me, I did a lot of the work and was involved with everything. Man, was it hard work! Right after I was put in the boat I was given a 2 minute lesson on what the names of the ropes, sails, and the rest of the parts were called. I had to be reminded a number of times what the correct terms were but it was fun. I had to use only sailing terms while operating it and Captain Doug was a good sport on teaching me. I would call out “Ready to Gybe?” then Captain Doug would answer “Ready!” and I followed with “Gybe Oh!” as one tack was switched to another. This had to be done when the boat was tacking or sailing directly into the wind. The photos below were taken as I left the harbor but went far out into the open bay with much larger boats. I sailed for about 2 hours but could have stayed out there longer if I wished. All and all in was an invigorating experience that I would recommend to any disabled person. For more information please visit Challenged America online.

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