The influencer shows how she travels the world while legally blind
Molly Burke is legally blind and has had many struggles traveling to the airport.
Staff Video, USA Today
- Diagnosed with MS, Kerrie Walters uses Pons devices to improve mobility and continue traveling.
- Despite the challenges, Walters emphasizes the importance of adapting and experiencing new things.
Kelly Walters is aiming for a cave tube tour for his upcoming trip to Belize. She looks forward to floating an ancient limestone cave system through ancient Mayan archaeological sites and waterfalls. Just a few years ago, she would not have thought she could work on such activities because of her condition.
Walters, 57, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at 21, affects walking and balance, and must use a walking stick. She is one of around 1 million Americans living with MS, an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that affects the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves, according to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. People with different MS symptoms often experience fatigue, mobility issues, pain and numbness.
Oregon residents praise many of the treatments that began in 2022 for improving mobility. This is a Portable Neuroregulatory Stimulator (PON) device that uses electrical pulses to repair MS-influenced brain elements. “I used to be active, so I couldn’t do it for a while.
Even before Pong helped her unlock many of the possibilities she could become active, Walters didn’t let her MS stop her passion for travel. She spent most of her career working in the tourism industry in Oregon. As a traveler, she visited destinations such as Hawaii and Mexico.
Her trip may require more sophisticated planning to ensure that she is housed and find a suitable place for rest, but she said it is always worth it. “We’re lucky to be able to travel, and we have more friends, but I think it’s really important that people experience different things and get a little out of your comfort zone,” Walters added.
Diagnosed with MS
When Walters was in her senior year at Oregon State, she began experiencing numbness in her face and tingling in her legs. Following recommendations by the friend’s mother, Walters went to a neurologist and gave her an early diagnosis of MS.
Given the unpredictability of MS, Walters experienced a small number of symptoms until walking became more difficult. When she graduated in the late ’80s, she began working in hotels and then for the Oregon Tourism Commission, but kept her MS a secret. “I didn’t want people to think I’m weak or can’t do my job, so I didn’t talk about it for years,” she said.
At the time, Walters discovered a deep love for travel. After graduating from university, her grandmother gave her and her siblings some money, and Walters embarked on a trip to backpack Europe with her friends, but her MS symptoms are still in the early stages and have yet to affect her mobility. “My sister paid off the debt. My brother saved it. So it’s who we are, right?” Walters said. “It was really fun. Just go out there and see more of the world, right?” They stayed in the hostel, and saw the Berlin Wall just before the Berlin Wall fell and met people from all over the world. They still talk about their trip to today.
“My world is different”
Balancing her MS and travel with both joy and work is challenging. There were moments when she had to hand over activities, such as a hike with her husband. “My world is different,” she said. “It’s really calm like being at the ocean, but when you’re standing there and trying to get out, (people) don’t think about things that are so easy (for others).
After living and traveling for years while managing the MS, Walters compares it to the battery on the phone. “You need to decide what type of priorities you have,” she said. She can call the hotel in advance to get a room near the elevator, so she doesn’t even walk down the hallway to go for activities instead or carve out intentional rest times. “Find a way to participate in your life that works for you. That’s all we can do,” she added.
Additionally, the historic lack of accessibility in the travel industry feels limited. She previously faced challenges trying to fly with her scooter. This is an obstacle encountered by many disabled air passengers. Mobility devices are known to be damaged during flight and place a great burden on the owner to find and repair replacements.
With the help of her pond treatment, she feels empowered to push herself as much as possible, including a guided tour of the cenotes in Mexico, where she had to navigate slippery ground. On her final trip to Belize in 2023, she and her husband boarded the boat for a calm jungle hike. The well-meaning guide wasn’t sure she would proceed, but Walters got a walking stick and saved the memories of seeing the Howling Monkey in a wooden canopy.
“I can’t do everything, but there’s a lot more we can do together,” she said. What’s next on her travel bucket list? An adventure to Costa Rica.
Travel Tips
According to the National Multiple Sclerosis Association, travel tips for those living in MS are listed below.
- Bring extra medicines to carry on board in case of unexpected flight delays and cancellations.
- Plan ahead of time. By arranging assistance in advance at the airport, travelers can save energy on their travel days.
- Avoid heat. According to the tissue, fever and fatigue can worsen symptoms or cause temporary flare-ups. Therefore, travelers are advised to plan activities for cool days or pack a cooling vest.
