Rollin' With Ean

08/21/2025

Bass Canyon in Washington, and wow… what an experience. The energy, the music, and the atmosphere at the Gorge Amphitheatre were absolutely unreal. 🌌✨

From an accessibility perspective, one of the best parts of this venue—aside from the unbelievable view—is that the entire space is connected by pathways, which makes it so much easier to navigate and enjoy the full experience. ♿️💯

If you’ve never been, I highly recommend making it out there—it’s truly something special. Big shoutout to the entire Excision team for putting together such a flawless, memorable event. 🙌🔥

08/14/2025

Check out Diverse Destinations on YouTube, where world travelers with physical disabilities share tips and stories for exploring both abroad and in beautiful BC! ▶️

Join us for Diverse Destinations, an online event where world travelers with physical disabilities share their experiences, travel tips, and practical advice...

08/05/2025

🌍 Diverse Destinations: Exploring Accessible Travel ♿️
A huge thank you to everyone who joined me for the recent in-person presentations on Vancouver Island! It was an incredible experience connecting with so many of you around the topic of inclusive travel.

These events were proudly hosted by Technology for Living in partnership with the Victoria Foundation — thank you for making it all possible!

If you weren’t able to attend, I’ve got great news:
I’ll be joining two fellow world travelers with physical disabilities for a free virtual presentation where we’ll share our stories, accessibility tips, and favorite travel hacks.

📅 Date: August 12
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM Pacific
💻 Location: Online
🔗 Register here: https://ca01web.zoom.us/meeting/register/SN2a80YKQhaiE1OVJE19oQ

Let’s keep the conversation going and make travel more inclusive for everyone. Hope to see you there!

07/16/2025

Rock the Lake 2025

This past weekend, we attended Rock the Lake in Kelowna for the first time! Held in the parking lot of Prospera Place, the 3-day event offered excellent accessibility. As someone who’s used to music events being held on bumpy, uneven ground, this flat, paved setup came as a welcome surprise and made navigating the venue much easier.

The lineup featured an impressive roster of Canadian bands. From JJ Wilde and I Mother Earth to Simple Plan and The Sheepdogs, the range of talent on display was exciting and nostalgic. It felt like a genuine celebration of Canada’s rich rock legacy.

Daytime temperatures were intense, with very little shade available in the outdoor space. However, Prospera Place kept its doors open, which allowed event-goers to step inside and take a break in the air conditioning—a small but much-appreciated detail that made a big difference in staying comfortable.

There was also a wide variety of food vendors offering plenty of choices. One unexpected and fun touch was a tattoo booth on site—definitely not something you see at every event, and it added to the overall creative vibe.

One logistical detail that stood out: the wheelchair-accessible port-a-potty was placed right in the middle of the sitting area. This made it extremely convenient to access, though it did come with a noticeable lack of privacy. Still, it’s clear that the organizers made a genuine effort to consider accessibility in their planning.

A heartfelt thank-you to the Rock the Lake team for providing a free ticket for my caregivers. That gesture didn’t go unnoticed and made it much easier to fully enjoy the weekend with friends.

Overall, Rock the Lake 2025 was a fantastic experience—great music, a thoughtfully accessible venue, and a lively, welcoming crowd.

07/09/2025

Had a blast at the 2025 Kelowna Ribfest this weekend! 🍖🔥 Even though I can’t eat, I still had a great time taste-testing BBQ sauces. Second year in a row—and definitely not the last!

07/02/2025

Happy Canada Day!

Last week was action-packed—starting with Whose Live Anyway in Penticton, then the first sail of the season! The weather was a bit temperamental, but it was a perfect chance to re-test the custom-made hand controls.

This past weekend, we headed to a friend’s cabin near Golden—great spot to test out my new Breas Vivo 45 LS ventilator with a built-in humidifier (amazing!).

Also tried smart heated socks for the first time—controlled by an app on my phone. Total game-changer. Looking forward to adding more adaptive gear for winter.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CPL1MRZZ?ref=fed_asin_title&th=1

06/04/2025

I said goodbye to an old friend — my Permobil C500. 💙

This chair has taken me places I never imagined — from the streets of Europe to the warmth of Southeast Asia, and everywhere in between. It's been more than just a wheelchair; it's been freedom, adventure, and independence rolled into one.

To mark the moment, I took her on one last trip to the beach and a final rip around the block.

After two years of trial, error, and customization, I’m now in my new ride: the Permobil F5. I can’t wait to show you all the ways this upgrade is already improving my independence and giving me more control.

Stay tuned — the journey continues! 🚀

05/31/2025

Shambhala Music Festival

Taking place in the heart of Salmo, British Columbia, Canada, Shambhala is an annual festival renowned for its exceptional electronic music performances. Boasting multiple unique stages and a multitude of art exhibits, the festival thrives amidst the breathtaking beauty of the Salmo Valley. The event garners the attention of more than 15,000 music and art lovers each year, firmly establishing itself as a pivotal player in the global music circuit.

My journey with Shambhala began back in 2004, and it left a deep impression on me. The natural charm of the locale and the vibrant energy of the attendees formed a magnetic attraction. Shambhala isn’t just a festival; it’s a community, fostering an environment unlike any other. It’s a hub where people, irrespective of age or background, gather to delve into meditation, yoga, and mindfulness. The emphasis on unity, compassion, and connectivity nurtures a feeling of inclusiveness and security.

Guests with disabilities, fondly referred to as “Shambha-Abled”, are well catered to with designated camping areas, a wheelchair-accessible bathroom, and shared electrical outlets for charging power wheelchairs. A special highlight for me was the express entry at the main gate and the privilege of free re-entry, enabling us to lodge at the nearby Reno Motel.

The quaint town of Salmo is quite a sight, adorned with stone murals and lush parks. The town is known for its accessibility features such as curb cut sidewalks and most shops providing level entry. Quite impressive for a town with a modest population slightly over 1,000. Altogether, Shambhala presents a delightful experience for all.

For more information, please visit: https://www.shambhalamusicfestival.com

05/28/2025

Sitting on the deck at Myra Canyon Lodge in the sunshine, listening to birds and windchimes as I overlook the trees.

is an absolute hidden gem just 25 minutes from downtown Kelowna, and I honestly can't believe it took me this long to check it out. The peace and quiet here is unreal — pure tranquility surrounded by nature.

The new owners, Steph & Adrian, are true superhosts. Shortly after we arrived, we realized the entry bridge ramp wasn’t built for my heavy power wheelchair. So what did they do? They built a new ramp — on the spot! Thanks to the level entry, I had full access to the Bear Suite, including the wraparound deck and the wide open living room. The roll-in shower was an unexpected bonus.

While the suite is labeled "accessible," here are a few things to note:
- The bathrooms are on the smaller side
- The beds are low to the ground
- It looks like there’s enough clearance for a Hoyer lift

Steph & Adrian went above and beyond, even offering to raise the bed and install a grab bar if needed. If you have specific accessibility needs, I highly recommend reaching out ahead of time — they’re incredibly helpful and open to making it work.

Already looking forward to my next visit. 🌲

05/27/2025

Friday night we checked out Cirque du Soleil’s CRYSTAL at Prospera Place in Kelowna, and it blew us away. High-flying stunts, insane skating, and seriously impressive athleticism — all on ice.

We had accessible floor seats with a killer view. Honestly, best seats in the house — no contest. Huge respect to Cirque for making it all so accessible without compromising the experience.

05/22/2025

Thailand was a whirlwind of sensory experiences — and yes, it can be accessible! From floating markets to feeding wild monkeys, here’s how I rolled through the Land of Smiles in with my power wheelchair and ventilator.

🛶 Floating Market Magic
The iconic floating markets seemed impossible to access — until Damnoen Care Resort Hotel offered a fully wheelchair accessible riverboat. Thanks to their forward-thinking design, I was able to glide through narrow canals, soaking in the vibrant culture from the heart of the action.

🛕 Temples, Street Life & Spiritual Moments
We explored Bangkok’s energetic Khaosan Road, home to endless street food, loud music, and a sea of tourists — a true sensory overload. The highlight? Praying with locals at stunning temples like The Grand Palace, a humbling spiritual experience that’s stayed with me.

🏖️ Off the Beaten Path
We also relaxed on the accessible beaches of Chonburi and hand-fed wild monkeys at Khao Sam Muk — an unexpected adventure!

🏨 Hotels:
• Novotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel
• Ibis Styles Bangkok Khaosan Viengtai
• Damnoen Care Resort Hotel

💡 Highlights Worth Sharing
✅ Wheelchair Holidays Thailand offered reliable, affordable accessible transport
✅ All three hotels — city and rural — were accessible
✅ Visiting temples to pray alongside locals was a deeply meaningful experience

⚠️ Know Before You Go
🚨 Air quality can be tough for those with respiratory conditions
🌀 Tourist traps can get overwhelmingly crowded
🗣️ Expect ventilator-related communication issues with some airlines — plan ahead!

Thailand may be chaotic, but it’s also deeply rewarding — and with the right support, it’s entirely roll-able. 🧭💙

05/21/2025

We spent the long weekend at Agur Lake Camp in Summerland — one of BC’s few accessible wilderness getaways. True to tradition, the May long weekend brought plenty of rain, but that didn’t stop us from having a great time!

Friday night we managed to sneak in a cozy campfire before the skies opened up. The rest of the weekend was spent indoors, playing board games and listening to the sound of rain on the cabin roof — sometimes the best memories are made during the quiet, simple moments.