Jean Hartley

I'm a polio survivor who has lived in Kona since 1989. I know the difference between accessible and just a "helping hand".

My background as a college instructor in Communications and as a missionary has allowed me to travel to 32 countries. I'm familiar with the challenges of traveling alone internationally, as well as arranging my own transportation, housing, touring, entertainment and other events: "how many stairs?", "I need a seat on the aisle", "is there an elevator?"

I often missed out on doing things I felt I could not do - no one encouraged me to ask questions or negotiate alternatives. In 2007 I was crew on a British Tall Ship outfitted for disabled voyagers. We sailed from London across the North Sea to the Netherlands on a 3-masted, 18 square sailed ship. I returned home convinced that adventures were open to me that I had considered closed. DISABLED ADVENTURES HAWAII is the result of my new-found courage to try the untried.

It is my gift to you - use it often and well.                                                    

                                                       
...let us run with endurance the race that is set before us...                                                      

"...Ingenuity Gives Polio Survivor New Horizons" (from Hawaii 24/7).

Share in my experiences by looking at my published articles. Just click on the title to get to the full manuscript. I’d appreciate your feedback to my writing by way of an email message (jeanmhartley@yahoo.com):

IRON-TOUGH, Sports n Spokes magazine, 2010. Seven international athletes with disabilities finish the ultimate challenge, the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

SCOOTER IN A BUG, PN magazine, 2010. Determination and creativity combine VW Beetle and electric scooter into transportation solution for post-polio survivor.

RUNNING ON WATER, Sports n Spokes magazine, 2009. Adaptive surfing and outrigger canoe paddling in Kailua Kona, Hawaii.

WHEELING TOWARD ACCESSIBILITY, PN News magazine, 2009. Small Hawaiian community moves ahead to make town accessible for locals and tourists with mobility issues.

TAKING TO THE WATER, Honolulu Star Bulletin newspaper, 2009. An amputee and a paraplegic tell their stories about adaptive surfing and paddling.

WHEELS TO WATER, Ability magazine, 2009. People with disabilities enjoy ocean sports in Hawaii. (Reprint Honolulu Star Bulletin newspaper, 2009.)

STANDING TALL, Abilities magazine, 2008. Crossing the North Sea on a 3-masted Tall Ship manned by a crew of sailors with disabilities.

ZIPPED TO FREEDOM, Reach Out online magazine, 2007. My zip line adventures over Oregon treetops.

I welcome your comments about this website. Help multiply the message of encouragement to others internationally and GO BEYOND WHAT YOU THINK YOU CAN DO!

A few comments from readers:

   1.  “Your site was the first I located that gave me what I was looking for.” D A
   2.  “Your website was like a breath of fresh air.” E B
   3.  “Bless you for empowering those who need some assistance.” M K
   4.  “I checked out your website and all I can say is AWESOME.” S M
   5.  “This kind of resource is so helpful. Thanks again for taking the time to put this information out there.” C C
   6.  “Thank you for breaking new ground on the Big Island for all of us who like to get off the beaten path.” K
   7.  “I love your adventures. I love reading about zipping above the forest.” G S
   8.  “What a gift you have given to others...I will be able to recommend this to many others.” D M