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 powerful episode of We’re Not Stumped, Mike Bolland sits down with Kelvin Crosby , a remarkable individual whose journey from hearing loss and blindness to becoming an inventor, artist, and advocate will leave you inspired. Diagnosed with hearing loss as a child, Kelvin later lost his vision due to Usher Syndrome Type 2. He opens up about the emotional toll this took on him, including thoughts of suicide, and the turning point when he chose to embrace his deafblindness instead of letting it define him. Kelvin shares how this decision sparked a new purpose in life—one rooted in helping others. His invention, the See Me Cane, is a game-changer for people with visual impairments. Designed to enhance safety and awareness, the cane features a light that gives users control over their environment while maintaining their ability to hear. Kelvin explains how this tool has not only improved his own life but also empowered others with confidence and mobility.
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Tom Jalinski, a double amputee from Littleton, is taking on a monumental challenge—hiking all 1,200 miles of Wisconsin’s Ice Age National Scenic Trail. In this episode, Tom shares his inspiring journey, from his past as an avid climber to the rigorous training he’s undergone to prepare for this six-month trek. He discusses the physical and mental challenges amputees face, his goal of raising awareness about life after limb loss, and the message he hopes to send to both the amputee and able-bodied communities. With a crowdfunding campaign to support his journey and a determination to prove that physical limitations don’t define one’s potential, Tom’s story is one of resilience, advocacy, and unwavering spirit. Tune in to hear how he’s turning obstacles into opportunities—one step at a time.
