On Two Legs and Three Wheels – The Travel Adventures of a Couple Overcoming Age and Disability by Cary D. Lowe
Publisher: Black Rose Writing
Genre: Non-Fiction, Contemporary
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by AstilbeCan you continue traveling as you get older or if you are disabled? On Two Legs and Three Wheels answers that with an emphatic, “Yes!”
Multiple sclerosis disabled the legs of the author’s wife twenty years ago, making her rely on a mobility scooter, and now both the author and his wife are in their seventies. But none of that stopped them from traveling. On two legs and three wheels, they have traveled to twenty countries and twenty states. Perseverance, ingenuity, and flexibility have enabled them to overcome virtually all obstacles. These characteristics are on full display in the two dozen tales of their travels to locales as diverse as Alpine peaks, Caribbean beaches, desert canyons, and urban boulevards, via planes, trains, cars, buses, and ships.
Their adventures will inspire disabled and older people to keep traveling, while engaging in activities that thrill fully abled partners, as well. And their travel tales will delight and entertain readers of all ages and physical conditions.
A little help goes a long way.
One of the quietly difficult parts of having a chronic illness or disability is figuring out what one’s new limitations are. Sometimes what can be accomplished on a good day is impossible on a bad one, while at other times the restrictions are permanent. As someone who has personal experience with this issue although not with Trish’s specific diagnosis, I loved Mr. Lowe’s descriptions of how he and his wife figured out what she was capable of and adjusted to her new realities as multiple sclerosis slowly changed the rules of what her body could and couldn’t do. They had such creative and playful approaches to finding new ways of enjoying their trips together, including activities like scuba diving that at first glance might not seem like very accessible hobbies for someone who has limited mobility.
There were times when the descriptions of the places they visited felt a little repetitive due to the focus on wine and food. I found myself wishing that more time had been spent talking about what made their various destinations unique as I haven’t been to most of those locations myself. Of course, there were areas of many places that were not wheelchair accessible, but I would have liked to know more about their climates, cultures, historical places, museums, music, friendly locals, and other things that the author may have strong memories about.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that explored how Cory and Trish responded to other people’s curiosity about her illness and assistive devices and other accommodations she needed on her travels. Striking a balance between educating strangers on things like assistive devices, what it feels like to be disabled or chronically ill, and why some people need certain accommodations while also protecting one’s privacy isn’t always easy. The frustration they occasionally felt was understandable, but there were also empowering moments when a brief conversation with a stranger may have permanently changed that person’s mind for the better about these topics. It’s a delicate balance to strike at times but based on this memoir they sure seem to be doing a fantastic job of living their lives to the fullest and also educating the public about topics the average able-bodied person might not know much about.
On Two Legs and Three Wheels was a beautiful adventure.
