Key Takeaways
- Last year, I interviewed Cory Lee, a wheelchair user and avid traveler, about his experience seeing the world. I’m a firm believer that travel is poss
- A few months ago, I was contacted by a 64-year-old wheelchair user and website reader named Jim. Inspired by Cory, he wanted to know if I wanted to sh
- In this interview, Jim talks about how he ended up using a wheelchair, how he travels, and his advice for others:
Last year, Route for Less interviewed Cory Lee, a wheelchair user and avid traveler, about his experience seeing the world. We’re committed to showing that travel is possible for people from all walks of life — so when we discovered Cory’s website, we knew his story deserved a wider audience. Disabled travelers remain underrepresented in mainstream travel media.
A few months ago, we were contacted by Jim, a 64-year-old wheelchair user and longtime reader of routeforless.com. Inspired by Cory’s journey, Jim reached out to share his own perspective and experiences. He became a wheelchair user later in life due to health complications. Because accessible travel information remains scarce, many people with disabilities lack the knowledge and support needed to plan confident, independent trips. We hear regularly from readers asking for guidance: “I’m a senior with mobility challenges,” “I’m visually impaired,” or “I use a wheelchair — how can I still travel?” That’s why stories like Jim’s matter.
In this interview, Jim shares how he adapted to life in a wheelchair, how he plans and executes trips across the U.S., and his advice for others navigating similar journeys:
Matt: Tell everyone about yourself.
Jim: I am a fifth-generation Florida native, dating back to 1828, when Florida was a territory. I grew up in West Palm Beach, leaving at age 19 to join the military. I served as a soldier in the US Army for slightly over 30 years of active duty service. I consider my time in the military as one of the best things that ever happened in my life because of the experience, training, opportunities, and development I got.
I retired from active duty in 2002 and immediately after, I secured employment as a civilian with the US Army Training and Doctrine Command at beautiful Fort Monroe, Virginia. I recently turned 64 and plan to work in my current position until age 66.
You’ve been in a wheelchair for a year. Can you tell us what happened?
I have been in a wheelchair since December 2014. I have an unusual autoimmune disease called inclusion body myositis (IBM); it’s the result of an overactive immune system, where white cells attack good cells, inflaming and gradually destroying muscle tissue, resulting in loss of muscle mass and severe weakness. I have always been very active and had anticipated I would remain physically active in my old age. But now I can do very little for myself, although I certainly do what I am capable of.
I cannot dress myself, put on my socks or pants, or button my shirts. I can rise to my feet under certain conditions, meaning from a certain height using a motorized office chair or lift recliner. I am very unstable when standing but can use a walker on smooth, flat surfaces indoors. But I have gotten to the point that this is not safe or even possible outdoors.
Were you a big traveler before you started using a wheelchair?
I have always enjoyed traveling and was provided many opportunities to travel as I relocated to new duty stations. For example, in 1985 I was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and relocated to Fort Greely, Alaska; we chose to drive from Alabama to Alaska. It was very interesting to drive across the country, through Canada, and then back into the USA.
Two years later we made the drive back to Fort Pickett, Virginia. A few years later we drove from Virginia to another assignment at Fort Bliss, Texas, and then back to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
In my current job, I traveled about one week each month using air and ground travel. Many times I was working, but I also tried to make every business trip a fun trip by planning ahead and researching opportunities I could take full advantage of.
One of my favorite locations for such required travel is San Antonio: I know when I go there I’ll go to the Riverwalk and the Alamo and enjoy authentic Mexican food, the best Texas barbecue, and steaks. These are simple things, but ones I truly appreciate and enjoy.
When you ended up in a wheelchair, what did you think travel would be like now? Did you think it would be possible?
My move into a wheelchair has been a gradual process that allowed time to think ahead, research, and plan how to overcome new obstacles. I know that travel will continue to be difficult and challenging. I also know that planning well in advance will allow me to resolve problems and better enjoy my travel.
I feel that I have a choice to travel or not travel. But not to travel implies defeat, and that’s not a good choice for any of us. The time may come that travel is no longer possible, but I do not plan to rush into defeat. This will be a time of resolve and determination to make the best of the life given to me.
How did you overcome any obstacles?
My most recent travel objective was to drive the entire length of the Blue Ridge Parkway, which is 469 miles from Rockfish Gap, Virginia, to Cherokee, North Carolina. Preparation for the trip included a detailed written plan depicting each day’s starting point, destination, projected travel miles, dining suggestions, and lodging location (it is imperative that I find handicapped-accessible lodging that includes a roll-in shower, as I am unable to step over a bathtub).
A packing list has been a practice of mine for many years, and that makes packing and planning easier. Some of the unique items I pack are a hat with a mounted flashlight, a night-light for hotels, portable suction grab bars, a lift belt, a urine bottle, non-slip pads, a bath mat, wet wipes, a grab stick, and a raised toilet chair. Keeping these lists and adding to them from lessons learned during and after the trip is very helpful.
What is the hardest part about traveling in a wheelchair?
I’d say the hardest part of travel that I experience is all the unknowns. For example, arriving
