Tough Girl Podcast Parvinder Chawla - Travelling the world solo in her wheelchair. Challenging perceptions around disability.
Parvinder was doing well until she was 22, when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and ended up needing a wheelchair. Despite her physical challenges, Parvinder has never let them stop her from pursuing her dreams to travel and to see the world. At 38, she decided to follow her passions and became a solo traveller. While travelling she has undertaken numerous adventure activities from paragliding in Taiwan, snorkelling in Australia, parasailing and kayaking in Udupi, and zip-lining in Ecuador, South America. At 52, Parvinder has now explored 59 countries and she’s not planning on stopping anytime soon. For Parvinder, there are many lovely experiences and stories that she would like to share with the world and if she could inspire even one person, it would make her really happy. Parvinder in her own words: “I have been travelling solo for more than a decade using my wheelchair. I have a small budget and aim to use public transport and hostels where ever wheelchair friendly. In 2020 and 2021 I drove my car from Bombay to Delhi and then from Bombay to Kanyakumari.” New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast go live every Tuesday at 7am UK time - Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out. To support the mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media. Sign up as a Patron - www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast. Thank you.
Show Notes
- Who is Parvinder in her own words
- Not considering herself old
- Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at 15
- Going through severe pain
- Her love for all kinds of sports
- Having a lot of faith in God
- Being bedridden for 5 years
- Taking herbal medicine
- Getting onto a manual wheelchair
- How her love for travel started
- Wanting to travel on a budget
- Being refused to travel without a companion
- Life changes after receiving an automated wheelchair as a gift
- Being on her own and being able to go wherever she wants
- Going to Hong Kong with a friend
- Deciding to travel to Bali alone
- Getting herself a cheap flight and a budgeted hotel
- Getting help from people wherever she goes
- Encountered challenges while travelling alone in a wheelchair
- Having faith and being fearless
- Learned lessons from her trip to China
- Magical moments while travelling to 59 countries
- Travelling by bus and metro and staying in hostels
- Getting into full detail about her time in China
- Making travel videos to share and inspire others during lockdown
- Getting used to highway driving
- Driving from Mumbai to Delhi
- Driving around nature and being closer to it
- 2020 as the best year for her and many people
- Not earning money from social media
- Wheelchair-friendly places
- Advice and tips for people in wheelchairs and solo travellers
Social Media Instagram @wheelchairandeye Facebook @PammuParvinderChawla Youtube @wheelchairandeye