You've had spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disorder caused by a lack of a protein involved in muscle development and movement, since you were 2. How has the disease progressed?
Slowly. I started using a power wheelchair when I was 4. I notice subtle changes every so often. I used to be able to lift my arms above my head; now I have trouble lifting my elbows off the armrest.

Did you experience any stigma at school?
In elementary school, kids didn't know what to make of my chair. Some would ask questions; others would stare at me. When I got older, most of my classmates offered to help.

When did you first fall in love with travel?
My mom had summers off, so we always planned a trip. We started with places like Disney World and Washington, D.C. I wanted to go outside the United States. When I was 15, we went to the Bahamas, where I got to taste new foods.

How has traveling with a wheelchair changed in the past 20 years?
In the early days, it was difficult to find a wheelchair-friendly taxi or bus. Once my mom and I had to wait more than five hours for a wheelchair-accessible taxi. Now they are so common. And many more companies specialize in tours that are accessible for wheelchairs.

Do you have a favorite destination?
Barcelona is one of the most accessible cities in the world. Every mode of transportation—taxis, subway, buses—is accessible. It also has really great accessible beaches.

When did you start writing about your travels?
I started my blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee, in 2013. I've visited 41 countries so far. I travel about six months a year. The other half, I write and plan other trips.

Do you have any notable travel stories?
For my high school graduation, my mother took me to Europe. I brought a converter and an adapter for my wheelchair, and when we plugged it in at a hotel in Germany, it blew a fuse and power went out in the entire hotel for about 15 minutes. My mother and I had to find a repair shop that specialized in wheelchairs. I learned two valuable lessons on that trip: Always bring an extra charger, and always know where a wheelchair repair shop is.

What's most difficult about traveling with a wheelchair?
Flying. First I have to get into what's called an aisle chair, which is a narrow wheelchair that can fit in the plane's aisles. Then I'm lifted into the airline seat. I spend the flight worrying about my wheelchair, which has been broken on half my trips. Once it was so damaged, I couldn't drive it out of the airport. The airline had a repair company fix it the next day.

What's your advice to people who use wheelchairs who want to travel?
Start small and local. Do research ahead of time about accessible bathrooms, taxis, restaurants, and hotels. Once you've built up your confidence, take a short flight. And always expect some sort of snafu. Stay positive, and you'll have a memorable experience.

Listen Now! Brain & Life Podcast

Dr. Daniel Correa speaks with Cory Lee, who shares his experience of growing up using a wheelchair at an early age and how he became inspired to start a travel blog to document his perspective on traveling the world as a wheelchair user. 

Read More

Four Ways to Ease Anxiety When Traveling with a Neurologic Condition