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Lifestyle

Stories from the perspective of a 3’6″ girl on wheels.

Lifestyle
Elementary School and Disability Pride

by Kristin Victoria December 12, 2021

by Kristin Victoria December 12, 2021

My parents made the decision to send me to an elementary school for kids with physical disabilities – Sunnyview Public School. We…

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Lifestyle
From Lavalife to Love: How I Met My Husband

by Kristin Victoria February 14, 2021

by Kristin Victoria February 14, 2021

My now husband, Mark, who I met online, didn’t believe I used a wheelchair until he saw me seated there in my…

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Lifestyle
A Typical Week As A Wheelchair User

by Kristin Victoria December 2, 2020

by Kristin Victoria December 2, 2020

You made it! I made it! My first published blog post! Thank you for stopping by! To fit with International Day of…

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KRISTIN VICTORIA

~ Passionate traveller ~ Curated accessible travel itineraries ~ Living a life in contradiction to society's beliefs about my life

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I’m guilty. Guilty of getting caught up in that

I’m guilty. Guilty of getting caught up in that fast paced, NEED to do it all, rest can wait, no hour left unplanned type of travel style, (and lifestyle, really). But as a 40 year old, disabled traveller I now appreciate more and more finding those destinations that lend themselves to a slower schedule and cities that welcome us in less obvious ways. For me that means access to rest stops, open spaces, quiet spaces, accessible paths of travel and options for transportation, and easy to locate information on accessible eateries and public toilets.

Lane County, Oregon gave us just that, and when nature, in all its unpredictability, meant that we had to toss our initial more hurried plan for the day, we slowed it down and REALLY enjoyed just a few highlights all within a 30 minute radius.

This is my reminder that you don’t have to move fast, or keep up with minute by minute shiny packaged itineraries, or trudge through dense forested terrain or over mountain peaks to call yourself a traveler and to love exploring our world just the same.

Here are my recommendations for a relaxed day of touring all within the city of Eugene 😍

Morning: 🌹 Literally stop to smell the roses at Owen Rose Garden. This park has over 4000 roses and 400 varieties, with a smooth flat pathway and lots of benches to stop and take it easy.

Afternoon: 🍷 Drinks, a picnic and soothing views at Sweet Cheeks Winery and/or Silvan Ridge Winery. @sweetcheekswinery @silvanridgewinery

Evening: 🍽️ Relax with some good food and hometown spirit at The Graduate Hotel. Book a room here and you don’t have far to go when you decide it’s time for bed! ☺️ @graduatehotels

@eugenecascadescoast

#SlowTravel #TravelOregon #DisabledTravel #TravelUSA #DisabledBlogger #LaneCounty

Inclusive public spaces mean better access to soci

Inclusive public spaces mean better access to social events, friendships and relationships.

Disabled people want representation in the outdoors, in nightlife, in sports, recreation, and in leisure activities. The best communities are the ones that recognize those things aren’t extra, but instead central to our well being, and they prioritize improved access for ALL their residents and visitors.

Lane County, Oregon is one of these communities. As a wheelchair user I had so many OPTIONS for mini adventures and exploration. My husband and I had the BEST weekend visiting Lane County, with less worry about accessibility and more time to enjoy each other’s company. Here are our top 4 picks for date ideas we think you’ll love too!

1. Go ahead and take those “long walks on the beach”! 😉 Or, if you’re like us, start a game of tag 😆 At Heceta Beach in @florenceoregoncoast these all-terrain track chairs are available free of charge with the help of @davidschair.now.i.can. Time on the beach without the massive/sometimes impossible effort of pushing my wheels through sand?! Yes! 🙌

2. Trail hikes! @eugenecascadescoast has got lots of good ones, doable with my every day wheelchair, but my favorite was at @mountpisgaharboretum. Transferring into another track chair provided by @davidschair.now.i.can meant my husband’s back and calves were saved from every exhausting uphill charge 😆 We were free to roam hand in hand! 🥰

3. @5thstreetpublicmarket should NOT be missed! There are elevators to all levels, accessible toilets and benches and tables scattered throughout. You’ll find lots of fun little spots grab a bite, people watch or pick out your significant other’s favorite flowers 💐

4. Wine tasting! Say cheers to each other and your incredible surroundings 🥂 Both @sweetcheekswinery and @silvanridgewinery provided accessible seating with stunning landscape views and accessible toilets (a MUST when good wine is involved 😉). Tip: First stop at @provisionsmarkethall inside @5thstreetpublicmarket and pack a picnic to go! 😋

@eugenecascadescoast

#OregonExplored #BestofUSA #DisabledBlogger #AccessibilityForAll #DateIdeas #WheelchairTravel

Giving you my top 3 reasons to visit Oregon, I did

Giving you my top 3 reasons to visit Oregon, I did not expect EATS and DRINKS to be one of them 😋 😋

Miles of breezy, exhilarating, accessible trails weaving through mountains, rose gardens, along rivers, shorelines and a forested wonderland?? Yes! That’s what I was coming to Oregon for.

But, THEN… the pure joy and oh so sweet satisfaction I found with EVERY bite of EVERY meal during our stay….. 🤤 This needs to be shared too.

All recommended spots have step free entry, enough space to maneuver a mobility aid, low top/regular height tables and friendly, helpful staff 👍

You’ll want to SAVE this! 📌

@coffeeplantroaster : Slide 1, 2. I might never find another avocado toast that rivals the one I had here 🥑

@lionandowlrestaurant : Slide 3, 4. Just watch my shoulders shake out of genuine laughter and enjoyment eating that berry butter cake 🍰

@thehukilau_florence_or : Slide 5, 6. Definitely stop here when in Florence, after a day at the beach for Pacific fusion food so delicious you really don’t care what’s on your face in a photo. 🦞

@magpiecoffeeshop : Slide 7, 8. Opens at 7am which is perfect for fuelling up for a full day in Lane County. Peep all those baked goodies! 🍪

@miguels.tacos_oakridge : Slide 9. Simple, fresh, totally unassuming. We stopped here for tacos done right, on our way back from Salt Creek Falls. 🌮

@elizabethswinelounge : Slide 10, 11. Went wild on the apps cause we simply could not choose. If the weather is nice enjoy live music playing outside and a fresh breeze through the open doors 👌🏽

@georgeviolets : Slide 12. Perfect date night spot! First spend some time strolling the shops on Main Street to let yourself get good and hungry for these main courses! 🥩

Where would you visit first?!

@eugenecascadescoast

#TravelOregon #PNWFood #AccessibleTravel #GoodEating #LaneCountyOregon #TravelBlogger

My layers of happiness 🧡💛 ….Wearing a fun

My layers of happiness 🧡💛
….Wearing a fun skirt
….Outside in October
….Sun warming my skin
….In a vineyard
….With my favourite person
….Away from crowds
….And nothing else to do, for an afternoon
….But be thankful for another year, scattered with days I wished for and once could hardly imagine, and now have lived
….Turning 41 and feeling well ☺️💃🥂

Picture description: 2 photos of Kristin sitting in her wheelchair outside in a vineyard on a sunny clear day. The sky is bright blue. Kristin is wearing sunglasses, a white tank top, a long green and gold patterned skirt and white shoes. Kristin holds a glass of white wine in one hand and lifts the end of her skirt with the other hand.

#DiscoverOntario #Vineyards #AutumnStyle #DisabilityPride #NiagaraOnTheLake #WheelchairTravel

THIS IS HOW!! The all terrain track chair! This t

THIS IS HOW!!

The all terrain track chair! This thing was a beast during my trip to Oregon! Powering me through sand dunes, the ocean shore and hilly dirt trails!

If you’re following me, you know I always travel with my FreeWheel - a larger 5th wheel attachment that makes uneven outdoor surfaces more manageable, BUT there’s still a heck of a lot of terrain that needs even sturdier, larger wheels.

Owning different wheelchairs for different environments really isn’t an option. Because of cost (wheelchairs are thousands and thousands of dollars) and the space required to store and transport, I use the same wheelchair in my small condo living room as I do when I’m exploring sandy beaches, snowy wonderlands, and rocky mountains… UNTIL that is, I came to Oregon! 🤩

In Oregon there are 8+ locations where these track chairs can be rented, free of charge! I checked out 2 spots in Lane County - Heceta Beach and Mount Pisgah, and had the FUNNEST time!

👏 👏 for the partnership between @davidschair.now.i.can and local parks and tourism in Oregon for having this option available to get more of their residents and visitors into the magic of the outdoors!!

@eugenecascadescoast

#TravelOregon #AccessibleTourism #WheelchairLife #GetOutside #PacificNorthWest #TravelLaneCounty #Hosted

Came for the nature trails, unexpectedly fell in l

Came for the nature trails, unexpectedly fell in love with city street strolls 😍

In between riverside walks and mountain backdrops we found larger than life painted murals while discovering local shops and eateries. Eugene, Springfield, and surrounding towns are easily wheelable and walkable, with flat, maintained sidewalks, tactile ground markings, curb cuts and more acres of screen space than we could cover in our four day visit!

The last photo sums up my feelings about Lane County, Oregon 😉 I’m happily adding to my photo collection of (my) wheelchair(s) in beautiful places 🤩 Should we start a new hashtag?!

Street art 🎨:
- Willamette Street in downtown Eugene (Photo 3).
- Oakridge across from 3 Legged Crane Pub and Brewhouse (Photo 11).
- Main Street in Springfield (Photo 6).
- 4th Street in Springfield (Photo 8).

Nature trails 🌳 🦆:
- Delta Ponds City Park (Photos 4, 5). Tip: The spot we entered the trail from required use of my FreeWheel.
- Willamette River Bike Trail (Photo 7).
- Heceta Head Lighthouse Trail (Photos 9, 10).
- Dorris Ranch (Photo 1, 2). Tip: A variety of surfaces along this trail. A power chair or a manual chair with bigger front wheels would do better in some sections.

#PNWonderland #VisitOregon #YesVisitTheUSA #AccessibleTrails #WheelchairTravel #Sponsored

5 experiences in Lane County, Oregon you’ll love

5 experiences in Lane County, Oregon you’ll love, approved by me as wheelchair friendly! Details ⤵️

🏨 STAY: Graduate Hotel @graduatehotels
- Accessibility highlights: Step-free entry into lobby and common areas. Wheelchair accessible rooms including automatic door openers, automatic blinds (😮), larger bathroom, grab bars around toilet, lowered hooks and hangers.

🍷 WINE: Sweet Cheeks Winery, Silvan Ridge Winery @sweetcheekswinery
- Accessibility highlights: Accessible parking. Low top tables offering picture perfect views. Step-free access to toilets (a must at a winery 😉).

🪓 FRIENDLY COMPETITION: Axe throwing @oregonaxethrowing
- Accessibility highlights: Step free entrance, helpful and encouraging staff, ready to adapt! Oregon Axe Throwing make it clear, right on their website that all abilities are welcome!

🌊 BEACH: Heceta Beach, Florence @florenceoregoncoast
- Accessibility highlights: This wide sandy beach is easy to explore with use of an all-terrain powered track chair! So much fun!! 🙌 @davidschair.now.i.can make it possible. The chair is stored on the north end of @driftwood.shores

🍃 NATURE TRAILS: Salt Creek Falls
- Accessibility highlights: Accessible parking immediately in front of trail head. Views of the falls are a short distance away, following a smooth, flat pathway.

I’ve got so much more to show you in Lane County! What next, FOOD?! Or HIKING TRAILS?!

@eugenecascadescoast
#Sponsored #TravelOregon #AccessibleTravel #VisitOregon #WestCoast #PNWLife #DisabledLife

On the last day of Disability Pride Month, I’m s

On the last day of Disability Pride Month, I’m summing up some thoughts that I want people to know and understand:

Disability is the largest minority. Any one of us is VERY likely to experience disability at some point in our lives.

There is still so little recognition of Disability Pride Month outside of the Disabled community.

There is nothing inherently bad or wrong with disability. If you’re looking past my disability then you’re uncomfortable acknowledging a big part of me and you’ll never be able to advocate alongside me.

Know that while yes, the technology I have in my car that allows me to drive independently most certainly is “really cool”, many disabled people don’t have access to accommodations like this. I am immensely grateful that I do.

Don’t block ramps or sidewalks with your vehicle, bike, construction gear, tools, trolleys, shopping carts.

Leave room in the elevator if you can take the stairs.

Many conveniences you enjoy were initially designed and advocated for by disabled people. You’re welcome.

Don’t use the accessible parking spot if you don’t need it.

I’ve already been told at least 3 times today to slow down while wheeling at a completely average walking pace, even though my day has been delayed searching for the accessible entrance and backtracking to find the elevator that’s not broken down. It drains my energy humouring you with a chuckle.

Don’t use the accessible bathroom stall if you don’t need it.

As a community I’m proud of our patience, humility, fire and creativity that is required from us, arguably on a much more frequent basis.

Some people still really take offence to suggestions made on how to make our world more inclusive, ? for fear of having to give up their place of privilege.

⬇️ Share your thoughts or questions in the comments! Thanks for reading! 😊
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#DisabilityPride #DiversityMatters #Accessibility #Ableism #WheelchairLife #TheMoreYouKnow

We were warned: “Lisbon will be tough with a whe

We were warned: “Lisbon will be tough with a wheelchair”. Think San Francisco hills but with cobblestone. Lots of cobblestone.

Did we still visit? Of course. Travel challenges are not ones we shy away from and I always recognize that travelling with Mark gets me A LOT further than travelling as a solo wheelchair user.

Was Lisbon tough? Yeah sort of. But not impossible with some planning (ie: we booked accommodation in the heart of the action so we didn’t have to venture too far to feel immersed in the city’s vibes). As usual I had my FreeWheel attachment to help with the cobblestone, though even after repairs its function has been waning lately 😣

But the tales of caution inspired us to instead discover MORE of Portugal. From Porto and Duoro Valley to the north and Lagos/Faro in the south, here are my highlights! ⬇️

💚 Gaia cable car in Porto.
💚 Road trip through the Douro Valley wine region. Even just from your vehicle windows you’ll be wowed with the views! Some wineries we stopped at didn’t have the greatest accessibility but our stop at Quinta De Sexio had step-free entrance to the restaurant, a washroom and the outdoor patio of their tasting room.
💚 Mateus Palace is 💯 a must stop on your Douro Valley road trip.
💚 Cabo Espichel in Setabul. A series of trails on a cliff around an old lighthouse and The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cape Espichel would be doable for most wheelchairs.
💚 Drive through Arrabida National Park. At the foot of the mountain range check out Praia da Figueirinha (beach) with accessible boardwalks and parking.
💚 Also in Setabul is Meco beach with an accessible boardwalk, toilets, parking and a ramp up to a beach restaurant (Bar do Peixe) with clear views of the ocean.
💚 Ria Formosa Boat Tour in Lagos - an accessible boat even providing a sling lift to get passengers into the water from the boat!
💚 Stroll the flat promenade in Nazare next to the beach, home to the largest recorded surfed waves.

What did I miss?!
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#VisitPortugal #VisitEurope #AlgarveTourism #DouroValley #VisitSetubal #AccessibleTourism #DisabledTravel #BucketListTrip #EuropeanRoadTrip #TravelItinerary

11 years married to the perfect person for me ♥️

We woke up in Meco, a small Portuguese fishing and agricultural village. Had lunch in Nazare, famous for having the world’s biggest surf, and then shared the best dessert of our lives in Porto.

The moments we’ve shared together are hard to even describe in words 🙏 I thank the universe for finding you!
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Reel Description: Kristin and Mark wheel/walk away from the camera holding hands. They are outside in front of an 18th century church in Portugal. The ground is gravel and the sky in blue. No one else is around.
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#MoreLove #EuropeTravel #VisitPortugal #MakeMoreMemories #CouplesWhoTravel #ExploreTogether #KeepOnGoing

EXCITING NEWS!! 📣 Select beaches across Cana

EXCITING NEWS!! 📣

Select beaches across Canada are transforming! @coronacanada is introducing its Accessing Paradise Pledge - a commitment to improve beach accessibility, allowing people with mobility disabilities (like me!) to effortlessly experience the beauty of our country’s shoreline ♿️ 🏖️

SIX beaches will get an accessibility make-over complete with Mobi-Mats, Mobi-Chairs and Mobi-Decks, and I’m introducing you to the first:

📍 Wellington Beach, Ontario! Yes, Prince Edward County just got THAT much more desirable!

I’ve chased beach sunsets in more than 40 countries around the world. But as a wheelchair user, when these little wheels sink into the sand, my heart also sinks knowing I’m stuck taking a backseat to the beauty that exists just beyond reach.

@coronacanada recognizes disabled people crave the outdoors too and have decided to take REAL action to connect more people with dreamy beachy sunsets just like this one! ☝️

I’ve got beach freedom on these Mobi-Mats, made with reclaimed ocean-bound plastics (of course accessibility and sustainability can co-exist!) and date nights can now include strolls along the beach!

The COOLEST part?! @coronacanada wants you to share which beach you think needs a mobility-focused transformation next before the end of the year. Check out my stories/highlights for the link and get ready to access paradise!!

With National Accessibility Week coming up, ONE more beach will unveil their accessibility upgrades and Canada is helping determine the remaining 4!

📍 Sainte-Zotique Beach in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, QC on June 15th.

#CoronaPartner #CoronaAccessingParadise #PrinceEdwardCounty #ThisIsLiving #AccessibleBeaches #WheelchairTravel #GetOutdoors

The first international trip Mark and I took toget

The first international trip Mark and I took together was on an Eastern Caribbean cruise. Our most favourite day (probably of our entire relationship up till that point) was our stop in Grand Turk. I’ve always been a water baby and the color of the sea and white sand had us mesmerized… rum punch flowing, bobbing carefree with the small, easy ripples of the ocean… ☺️

After that trip we researched more about the Turks and Caicos Islands and made our first visit to Providenciales in 2014. 10 years later and this was trip number 12 😍 We keep saying we will retire here. The only downside to having a spot we love so damn much? It makes it that much harder to increase my country count 😜

Accessibility in Providenciales is not horrible, but also not fantastic ⬇️⬇️
➖ Pros: Sidewalks are pretty well maintained and curb cuts are very common. The island is flat, no hills. A lot of restaurant patios are barrier free. At least one resort that I know of has a beach wheelchair for use.
➖ Cons: I’ve yet to find any beach mats or boardwalk to get super close to the ocean in my own chair without being carried. Hard to find accessible toilets outside of our hotel. Many restaurants have “just” 1-2 steps to enter.
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(Photo description pinned to comments)
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#FlyAway #ChaseTheSun #CaribbeanLife #BeachSunset #DisabledTraveller #AccessibleTravel #WheelchairLife #PartTimeTraveller

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