Solo international one handed disabled traveling while competing at the 2014 Toastmasters World Championship of Public Speaking. Here I am at the Buddhist Temple of Borobudur in Indonesia and with friends in Melaka, Malaysia.

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Solo traveling international style with one hand has it’s own flavor. Disabled traveling has an entirely different set of concerns, considerations, and contemplations. Carrying my bags, safety and security, and managing are just a few of the topics I cover in this uniquely crafted podcast about one handed traveling. One of the things that makes disabled international travel so interesting is how different cultures perceive me and my body. I get different looks and reactions to my one-handedness based on the country and culture. Finland was a very different experience than Malaysia.

But what I really want to share is all the cool things I learned about myself as a one handed human. Not to mention learning all these great insights into the life of a disabled traveler. If you have one hand your are going to love this podcast. And if you have two or more hands I think you will find it both funny and educational.

Show Notes:

• Talking about some of the quirks and considerations about traveling with one hand.
• Sharing experiences just getting on a plane.
• Examining how other cultures and countries perceive me as a one handed person.
• Security and safety as a disabled traveler.
• Life lessons learned from one handed international solo travel.

Resources:

• The Disabled Traveler –  Justin Skeesuck teaches you how to travel with limited mobility.
• Zach Gowen – A one legged superstar, A World Wrestling Entertainment champion, a professional speakers and all around great guy! @zachgowen
• Rebekah Marine – The Bionic Model, Rebekah Marine is a true inspiration! @rebekahmarine
• Nicole Kelly – Speaker, educational lecturer, Miss Iowa 2013, mentor and advocate. @missnicolekelly
• Nubability Athletes – We elevate the game of kids with limb-differences in main-streamed organized sports with encouragement, instruction and inspiration from over 70 accomplished limb-different athletes. #dontneed2
• Ryan Haack – Author of “Different is Awesome!” and making true change in the world! See more at LivingOneHanded.com

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes.  To do that, just launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel other will benefit and enjoy.

Play your hand,
AlejAndro

AlejAndro with Joe Canavan of World Class Chili in Seattle’s Pike Place Market

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World Class Chili in Seattle’s Pike Place Market. A chili parlor… I learned so many life lessons here. This little hole in the wall eatery was ranked top 20 in the world for chili! Who knew chili ran that deep? I did not. But I quickly learned. It was a one man show run by this guy named Joe Canavan. All I can really say about Joe is, “they do not make people like him anymore!”

I worked for Joe for over two years in the mid 90s. That was the era of the quite popular TV series called “Sienfeld.” I was working for Joe when the “Soup Nazi” episode aired. The next day and every day since that episode Joe Canavan was forever know as the “Chili Nazi” or the “Soup Nazi of Chili.” Everything made so much more sense after that day. If you think that episode was funny, try working for the “Chili Nazi!”

I could write a book about all the crazy, insane, and out of this world experiences I had at World Class Chili. But I will start with some podcasts. I cannot say enough good things about the lessons I learned or how deeply Joe Canavan changed my life… But I will try.

Show Notes:

• Another live audience talk recorded at story story night in Boise, Idaho.
• Pike Place employment at Jack’s Fish Spot and Emmett Watson’s Oyster Bar.
• How Nancy at the Pike Place Market Creamery helped me get my job at World Class Chili… I think?!
• Working for Joe Canavan at World Class Chili.
• A Pike Place Market standing ovation after two years working “hard time” for Joe.
• The lessons learned working at a hole in the wall chili parlor.

Resources:

• Pike Place Market – World Class Chili was located in this famous Seattle open market.
• Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cookoff – Joe competed for years. Enough said!
• Soup Nazi – If you know this character you know a bit about Joe Canavan and World Class Chili.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes.  To do that, just launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel other will benefit and enjoy.

Play your hand,
AlejAndro

AlejAndro tying shoes with one hand while speaking at Sage International School

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As I have lived this life I have come to realize how much of a blessing it is to have been born with one hand. This realization did not arise easily. Nor is it the perspective of all people with a disability. But right now in my life it is how I view myself. This is a story about how tying my shoes is a benefit for others, especially children and therefore myself. I have had so many interesting experiences being asked to tie my shoes and tying my shoes in public.

As a professional speaker I often speak to children and youth about the power of thinking, overcoming adversity and simply just loving who you are with what you have in this life. In most cases in the early 13 and under age my talks turn into “show and tell” sessions as kids just want to know how I do things with one hand. “How do you cook? How do you wash your back, put on a coat, and take off your watch?” Children ask the best questions! Most of the time they want to know how I tie my shoes. They want to watch me tie my shoes. Then they want me to tie their shoes. And the next thing I know the line is long and the cheers are grand.

This story is about one of the most profound and impactful moments I have had trying my shoes. This moment helped my more deeply realize the benefits and blessing to live life with one hand.

Show Notes:

• Understanding the benefits of life with one hand.
• Noticing how people and children would watch me tie my shoes.
• The California Aikido Association summer training talk.
• The moment I deeply realized the power and benefits of tying my shoes with one hand.
  
• What I have learned living this one handed life.

Resources:

• California Aikido Association – Where I trained when I had one of the greatest experiences tying my shoes.
• Sage International School – My opening video of one of my speeches about the power of thinking and the benefits of life with one hand.
• Nubability Athletics – A great organization for people with special and unique bodies.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes.  To do that, just launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel other will benefit and enjoy.

Play your hand,
AlejAndro

Newspaper article about AlejAndro’s cross country bicycle tour and a Story Story Night illustration advertisement of a deer about to get hit by a van. One happened and the other almost did.

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These are two short stories about my one handed traveling adventures. The first short story is about some of my experiences on a small speaking tour I did driving my stick shift car. The second story is about some of my experiences on a solo bicycle tour from Seattle, Washington to my home town of South Bend, Indiana. Both offer great insight to life with one hand and traveling with any kind of disability.

Show Notes:

• I almost killed a baby deer on my way to see my Tibetan Buddhist teacher.
• Speaking in Boise, Idaho about my traveling experiences.
• Sharing more one handed traveling experiences on my solo cross country bicycle tour.
• We saved the life of a river rafter just outside of Swan Valley, Idaho.

Resources:

• Dzogchen Retreat Center – Dzogchen Khenpo Choga Rinpoche and the Dzogchen Lineage.
• Swan Valley, Idaho – Beautiful and pleasant place to stop on a cross country tour by bicycle.
• Boise Bicycle Project – I put it in here because this is a cool bicycle project in Boise, Idaho.
• The Disabled Traveler –  Justin Skeesuck teaches you how to travel with limited mobility.

Contact. Follow. Share.

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How to review the podcast on iTunes

If you enjoyed, benefited or were impacted by the podcast, it would be beyond cool if you’d take a minute and write a review on iTunes.  To do that, just launch the iTunes podcast app on your computer or phone. Search for One Hand Speaks, select the album art for the show, select ratings and reviews and then write your review. Big thanks and appreciation. Please spread and share if you feel other will benefit and enjoy.

Play your hand,
AlejAndro