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Accessible Adventures: How Kristen Turned a Wheelchair Journey into Empowerment
Description
In this episode, wheelchair padel athlete and clinical research expert Kristen Paskins shares how she rebuilt her confidence after suddenly losing her mobility in 2022. Traveling alone with a wheelchair for the first time — to attend the EUPATI training in Madrid — became a turning point in her journey toward independence, advocacy, and self-discovery.
You can read through the interview on my blog: https://ms-perspektive.de/EN/144-kristen
We talk honestly about the emotional and practical realities of traveling with a wheelchair, including airport challenges, accessibility barriers, fears, resilience, and the unexpected wins that come from stepping outside your comfort zone. Kristen also explains how disability sport helped her reclaim joy and identity, and why patient advocacy has become one of her strongest missions.
A key part of the conversation is the global Rights on Flights campaign led by disability advocate Sophie Morgan, which fights for equitable and safe air travel for people with mobility impairments. Kristen shares her experience, why reporting incidents matters, and how collective voices can drive meaningful change.
Links mentioned in the episode:
🎥 Documentary "Sophie Morgan's Fight to Fly" (Channel 4):
https://www.channel4.com/programmes/sophie-morgans-fight-to-fly
🌍 Rights on Flights – Report air travel incidents & join the movement:
https://rightsonflights.com/
In this episode, you'll learn:
• How Kristen lost her mobility and rebuilt her independence
• The emotional impact of traveling alone for the first time
• Practical tips for accessible travel and navigating mobility assistance
• Why airports remain the biggest challenge for wheelchair users
• How Rights on Flights is pushing for systemic change in aviation
• The importance of community and disability sport
• What Kristen wishes she'd known earlier in her journey
• Her message to anyone afraid to travel with mobility challenges
Whether you live with MS, FND, or another condition affecting mobility, Kristen's story offers strength, understanding, and the reassurance that life can open up again — sometimes in ways you never expected.
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Hear you soon and try to make the best out of your life,
Nele
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