A Big Adventure Traveling While Disabled (Part 8):

Last week, I checked in with my readers and got a handful of very sweet and supportive comments. Thank you to my caregiver colleagues on Substack for being the first to respond, and to all of my beloved friends who are subscribers for your continued feedback and support. This week, I want to discuss what happens when your travel plans are interrupted by health issues.

Kurt and I are deep into our travel time to Ecuador. We have seen exactly zero tourist attractions and have spent much of our time in our apartment. Thankfully, it is quite a beautiful view, and we have met some wonderful friends here who have helped us enormously (thanks to you all!).

Even on rainy days, Cuenca is stunning!

Disabilities Don’t Take a Holiday

It turns out that we didn’t leave our disabilities in the U.S. So, there have been a few doctor’s visits to our amazing, world-class doctor, and more than a few calls to the wonderful local pharmacist who actually sincerely asks how Kurt is doing each time. Without going into details, suffice it to say that we have been mostly homebound for a couple of months. Only running errands that absolutely had to be done. Kurt’s helper, Jonatan, has stayed with him, and his dear mother, Danny, has helped us too, so that Jonatan could take me on errands. Wow, I don’t know what we’d have done without their assistance, loving and compassionate care, and prayerful support.

Jonatan and Kurt on our birthdays

Fresh & Affordable Whole Foods Keep Us Nourished

Kurt is improving, and we are on the healthiest diet of our lives. Buying mostly fresh fruits and vegetables from the local Feria Libre (a 7-acre market near our apartment). The grapes are sometimes like golf balls here! The bananas are huge, and the mangos, cherries, oranges, and apples have been sweet and fulfilling to eat. We are blessed with wonderful, whole foods at good prices.

All from the local Feria Libre and costing less than $20 total.

Natural Beauty & Our Environment is a Real Attraction Here

We often watch magnificent sunrises and see the sunset reflected in the clouds. We can see the rainstorms develop over the mountains and move toward us. We’ve witnessed two double rainbows! The river is a constant source of enjoyment for Kurt, who watches people, birds, and animals along its banks, as well as a neighborhood construction project, through binoculars. As a former systems analyst who worked on the TCAS and TAWS aviation guidance and warning systems that keep planes from colliding with each other or with mountains, he enjoys watching these “systems” from his wheelchair by our apartment’s windows.

Kurt is taking a break from observing to nap in the sunshine.

We are making the best of our time and situation. Sometimes, life and travel are more about letting go of expectations and going with the flow than about seeing and doing things. There is nothing wrong with simply resting and being right where you are because that can be healing. Ecuador’s natural beauty and Ecuadorian culture are teaching us that rushing to do things is not always the best way to live. “Tranquilo” is what they call it here. Sometimes it’s good to stop and smell the roses.

A rose that Jonatan brought us this week.

Have you discovered ways to adjust your expectations for yourself and your loved ones when you travel? How do you feel when you need to change your plans? What are some ways you’ve learned to take care of yourself? I’d love to hear from you. Remember…take care of yourself, you deserve it!!

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