In this episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Karen Morales, a wheelchair user and leader of Fora Travel’s Accessibility Initiative, to discuss how the travel industry can become more inclusive for everyone.
After becoming a wheelchair user in 2020, Karen quickly discovered that planning an accessible trip often meant endless phone calls, unanswered questions, and uncertainty about whether hotels, transportation, and attractions would truly meet her needs. Rather than accepting those challenges, she helped create an initiative that’s training hundreds of travel advisors to better serve travelers with disabilities and other accessibility needs.
Mike and Karen discuss:
- Why accessible travel is about confidence—not limitations.
- The biggest obstacles travelers with disabilities still face.
- How hotels and airlines can create better experiences.
- Why accessible travel benefits far more people than you might think.
- Practical advice for planning your first accessible trip.
Karen also shares how adaptive skiing and travel helped her reclaim a sense of freedom after becoming a wheelchair user, and why she believes everyone deserves the opportunity to explore the world.
Whether you’re living with a disability, traveling with a loved one, or work in the travel industry, this conversation offers practical insights and an inspiring reminder that travel should be accessible to everyone.
- Karen IG — https://www.instagram.com/gojoyward/
- Karen LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-morales-157b412/
- Fora IG — https://www.instagram.com/foratravel/?hl=en
- Fora LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/company/foratravel/
- Fora Website — https://www.foratravel.com/
- Karen Fora Page — https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/karen-morales
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In this episode of We're Not Stumped, we dive into the journey of a local teen who is redefining the game of softball. After undergoing a double amputation, she hasn’t just adapted—she’s excelling, competing at a high level, and proving that determination and passion can overcome any obstacle. Next, we spotlight A Leg Forever, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting amputees and their families. A Leg Forever Charitable Foundation was established by Elizabeth (Liz) Norden in honor of her two sons JP and Paul Norden who each lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, 2013.
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