Pushing yourself to go out of your comfort zone and get off the road most traveled is the path to finding peace.
For many years following my accident, I was very timid and cautious. Starting with my adventures on the moving walkway (see my post What Not to Do When Traveling), I have grown more adventurous, especially when I hang out with my cousins in Iceland. Coming from a family of three girls, my male Icelandic cousins have become like brothers I never had. They are always seeking a creative solution to make my life a little more fun. While they spoil me, it comes at the cost of your typical brotherly teasing and banter.
On my latest trip to Iceland, Elvar thought it would be fun to indoctrinate me into his favorite pastime of off-roading. After scoping out an off-road excursion on Úlfarsfell (Wolf Mountain) with a spectacular view, along with his father, my father, and my brother-in-law, they packed me into his Range Rover with a bunch of pillows and we hit the road. Believe it or not, this vehicle was way more comfortable than banging around in my wheelchair on the rough country roads. VOCSN made the entire adventure easy and we simply tucked it between my feet on the floor, making my respiratory support the least of our concerns when embarking on this journey.
The exhilaration of trying something new and different was enhanced by the 360-degree view of Reykjavík, Mount Esja, and all the water snaking in between on a gorgeous sunny day. Seeing a city and all of its suburbs from so far away calms the hustle and bustle of daily life into a tranquil landscape. Ironically enough, embarking on this rough-road adventure left me, a typically extremely nervous passenger, surprisingly calm and comfortable. Sometimes, pushing yourself to go out of your comfort zone and get off the road most traveled is the path to finding peace.
The views expressed by Loa are not necessarily the view of the Ventec Life Systems, its members or the clinical board. These blog posts are the personal experiences of Loa. The blog posts are not intended to provide clinical advice or training related to VOCSN. Always consult a physician or trained clinician prior to using VOCSN. Please refer to the VOCSN Clinical and Technical Manual for detailed instructions, including indications and contraindications for use. VOCSN is available by prescription only.