Duct tape was originally known as duck tape – quack quack, thus the original green colour . The uses are unending for everyone, but there are specifics for people with disabilities. When travelling from Rarotonga International Airport, Cook Islands, to our tropical oasis on the far side of the island, my chair was strapped to the roof of the aged transport van, not very securely I might add. My chair, taking a lesson from the local white tailed monkeys, took a mighty leap from the roof of the van into the thick jungle foliage. Result: one cracked, dysfunctional foot pedal. At the beginning of a three week expedition! Duct tape…

After lunch, the small tour boat dropped us along the south-western shore. We wandered along the coastline, seeking a village that hadn’t changed much in the last 200 years. The small population of the settlement lived in natural fibre huts, cooked over open fires, and wove baskets that were used for everything – storing food, clothing, carrying babies, tipped upside down to serve as tables and chairs. Seashells were also multi-purpose – dishes, cups, jewellery, decoration. Reaching the village was an obstacle course for those on feet. For someone using a wheelchair it seemed impossible but my friend Bill and two other willing travellers lifted me and my chair over…

North American flights to Tahiti land in Papeete at 1:30 a.m. and small planes fly to the local islands only in daylight. After thirty-six hours on airplanes and twelve hours of airport stopovers, I arrived on Moorea, one of the most popular Tahitian islands. This extended travel time compromised my well-being. My muscles were stiffer and I was more immobile than I wanted to be. What was the best way to deal with it? My best option is always to SWIM!  A Princess cruise ship was anchored in the harbour. The water was tranquil, clear, and inviting. I donned a swimsuit, slipped into the water and began my swim across…

When travelling internationally, finding a place to swim and maintaining the determination to do so, can be difficult. Carrying a bathing suit, a cap, goggles, and a towel or chamois is an ingrained habit. You never know when the opportunity will arise. I can’t expect a pool with neat lines painted on the bottom, a sophisticated lift, and a lifeguard. Lakes, oceans, pools, and seas throughout the world have given me rewarding, invigorating, frightening, fun, and crazy experiences. People are sometimes amazed that despite the fact that I cannot walk, I can certainly swim. Oaxaca, Mexico, located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre (Spanish for mother mountain range) is…

        This is serious stuff. There are lots of reasons why I keep fit.         In 1974, A New Perspective on the Health of Canadians, a working document, written by Canada’s Minister of Health and Welfare, Marc Lalonde, was published. This significant work addressed the limitations of the traditional views in health care. It discussed the health status of the Canadian population and proposed alterations in lifestyle that would ultimately lead to a healthier Canadian population. Our long-established health-care system focuses on curing illness rather than maximizing health and preventing disease. Included in Lalonde’s nine points of positive action: ‘Exercise and fitness are better than sedentary living and lack of…