Justin Skeesuck Profile
Justin Skeesuck is The Disabled Traveler. He inspires and instructs People with Disabilities (PwD) how to successfully navigate and overcome the many challenges they are faced in their lives and when traveling.
A motivational speaker, trainer and accessibility consultant, his authentic, powerful, and hilarious storytelling insight on what it's truly like to live with a disability all while providing real applicable advice on 20+ years of accessible travel experience.
He is blessed to work alongside some amazing organizations such as Point Loma Nazarene University and the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), collaborating, providing insight and offering fundraising support. He has also been featured and interviewed on the MDA telethon, Women's Radio Network, WheelchairTraveling.com, The San Diego Padres, KUSI Channel 9 News San Diego and other local media outlets.
Justin's journey began in his teenage years when he started losing control of his left foot after a horrific car accident. By the age of 18, his condition worsened and he required foot orthotics to aid him while walking. In his mid 20s, he began using a cane, a walker, and then eventually in a wheelchair (both manual & power) full-time.
Doctors were baffled for many years, and after extensive testing, Justin was finally diagnosed with a rare progressive autoimmune/neuromuscular disease called Multifocal Acquired Motor Axonopathy (called "MAMA" for short). MAMA is similar in nature to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) by selectively targeting muscles throughout the body which, for unknown reasons, cease to function properly. As of today, Justin's disease continues to slowly progress requiring many life adjustments along the way.
However, throughout his disease progression, Justin continues to passionately travel the world, visiting amazing countries such as Italy, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Mexico, the Caribbean, Canada as well as many states throughout the US, Hawaii and even rugged Alaska. He believes there will always be something new to explore and continually wonders what's over the next horizon.
Justin's unique understanding of travel and how it relates to life, is reinventing the way People with Disabilities can truly overcome the challenges that face them.
"I've found that traveling is THE BEST way to experience other cultures, forge new and exciting relationships, and gain a greater understanding of yourself," says Justin. "Yes, there are many challenges that comes with that but, in the end, the experiences and memories my family and I now share has made all of my efforts worth it!"
With the Disabled Traveler, Justin has dedicated his life to sharing his practical "how-to" information and lessons he has learned in his life and travels. He hopes that he can motivate and inspire other People with Disabilities -- and their families -- to have the courage to travel and begin to see the world differently just as he does.
Justin supports and works directly with his favorite nonprofit organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), Life Rolls On and Access to Independence, a Center for Independent Living organization. He currently lives in Meridian Idaho with his phenomenal wife, Kirstin, and their three beautiful children, Jaden, Noah, Lauren and his pug, Guinness.