1. What motivates you to continue travelling so passionately despite your Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis and wheelchair?

Travelling with multiple sclerosis and in a wheelchair motivates me to discover the world. I love adventure and the inner growth that comes with every challenge. I like it when it's exciting and challenging. When travelling, I feel confidence and joy and experience different cultures and people. It enriches my life and gives me a sense of freedom, despite the wheelchair. I go travelling with joy, curiosity and energy and feel a deep sense of gratitude. For me, there is nothing better than travelling the world in a wheelchair.

2. Can you describe a trip that was particularly formative for you? What did you learn about yourself?

I wanted to travel around the world once - and I have fulfilled this dream. I have learnt a lot on this long journey: I can overcome challenges, whether alone or with help. I have met many helpful people and enjoyed the lively dialogue with them. It makes me happy when people help me to realise my dreams, often spontaneously. My joy and energy are infectious, which I think is great. I enjoy harmonious interaction with strangers, and people often thank me for my open and interested nature. I love experiencing other cultures and engaging in genuine, interpersonal communication.

This trip has shown me that it is good the way I am and that I am valuable. This keeps me full of energy and joy, which I like to share with others. When I need help, people are there for me - my "luminous gnomes". This intense feeling of support is wonderful. I always keep calm, because somehow I always find a solution. My spontaneous and joyful attitude helps me to do this. Joy is my drive and gives me strength. The best stories begin with courage. I look forward to meeting other people - everything is an adventure with ups and downs. Moving on and growing makes me stronger and makes my world of ideas more colourful. I am very satisfied.

Some happy moments of my journey:

• I saw the Northern Lights during a husky sled tour in the Arctic.

• In Fiji, I was hurtling down a river in a tyre while my wheelchair was being transported in a longboat.

• I visited temples in Egypt, went on a Nile cruise and rolled into a burial chamber in the Valley of the Kings.

• I lived in an accessible tree house.

3. What were the biggest struggles you encountered when travelling and how did you overcome them?

While I was travelling in Egypt, the front wheel of my wheelchair broke off in a temple. However, the local Egyptians helped me immediately and an engineer from a ship put the wheel back on. So I was able to continue my trip to Egypt on my own. Calmness often helps. 

I actually really enjoy flying, but wheelchair transport with airlines is becoming increasingly difficult. Once an airline refused to take me on a flight despite my ticket because I was travelling alone and didn't have an emergency person with me who could have helped me in an emergency. They only allowed me to fly if I didn't go to the toilet during the long-haul flight to the Caribbean, as they didn't want to provide me with an aeroplane wheelchair. I need this to get to the toilet. So I drank very little for 12 hours and didn't go to the toilet - a very degrading experience. There was the same problem on the return flight: an airline didn't want to let me fly from Curacao because I supposedly needed an accompanying person. After two hours of discussion, I was finally allowed to fly, but again only on the condition that I didn't go to the toilet. I agreed as I wanted to go home. I will never fly with this airline again.

4. How do you deal with situations where accessibility is not a given?

In situations where there is no accessibility, I keep calm and think about what I can do. People often come to help me. I can be carried and my wheelchair can be folded. So far, I have overcome every challenge and have always received help from strangers. That gives me a very good feeling. I trust in humanity - travelling with confidence and joy.

5. In your opinion, how well is the travel industry geared towards the needs of people with mobility impairments? Where do you see room for improvement?

I can see that accessibility is getting better and better, which makes me very happy. My wish is that even more travel agencies offer accessible holidays and help with bookings. I always say: just get going and do it! The best stories start with courage.

6. What positive experiences have you had with inclusive travel options and which destinations would you highlight in particular?

I see that organisations and providers are happy to enable people with disabilities to have a good time. The joy of doing things prevails, and it's fulfilling. Everyone feels good, which makes me very happy. I am very grateful for my experiences and opportunities.

7. Are there specific apps, websites or communities that provide you with particular support when planning your trips?

I often do my own research on the internet and phone the hotels directly. The most important thing for me is a wheelchair-accessible bathroom with two toilet handles, a shower chair with side rails, grab rails in the shower and a lift to the room. I have people send me photos of the bathroom and tell me the width of the door before I book. The airlines also need to be informed about my wheelchair, as each has its own forms that need to be completed.

I particularly enjoy travelling with "Sailwise", which offers accessible water sports for everyone in the Netherlands. With "Open Ocean", I experience a surfing holiday in Portugal every year, where everything is possible with help. I also have a lot of fun on motorbike tours for people with disabilities with "Crazy Run". I was able to learn kitesurfing in a sitting position in Egypt with the "VMV" organisation - a great experience. I also take part in handbike tours and monoski courses. Just do some research on the internet, sign up and try it out. I can also recommend "Runa-Reisen", which offers safe and well-organised trips for people with disabilities. I travel a lot and enjoy every new experience. Travelling by train is very well organised with registration with Deutsche Bahn. I enjoy travelling by train and am grateful for my wheelchair accessibility and for people who have and offer inclusive ideas. I love travelling.

8. How do you see the future of inclusive travel? What would have to change to make travelling accessible to all people, regardless of their abilities?

I can only recommend the communities/providers mentioned. Booking and experiencing the leisure time is always enriching. With a little courage and a positive attitude, the joy comes all by itself. It's a process that is gaining more and more momentum for me.

9. What advice would you give to the travel industry to make travelling more enjoyable and accessible for people with disabilities?

• Work more with wheelchair symbols.

• Use symbols for different impairments (hearing, seeing, walking).

• Use simple pictograms.

• Provide photos of bathrooms on the website or in the travel catalogue.

• Give detailed descriptions.

• Cater to individual travel requirements, as everyone needs different aids.

10. What advice would you give to other people in wheelchairs who would like to travel more but are still hesitant?

Just do it!

Have confidence and think positively! Get involved in the process, enjoy life and try things out. Feel the joy and share it with others!

11. Is there a special moment on your travels that has shown you how important it is to discover the world even with limitations?

I experience a lot and have hardly any restrictions. I do everything I can and am very happy doing it. The positive experiences and the moments when other people are happy with me and thank me for allowing them to accompany me and experience a different perspective fulfil me greatly. They appreciate my positive attitude to life, which gives them confidence and strength. I am grateful that I am able to travel and experience this joy.

12. Where are you travelling to next and which destinations are at the top of your list?

My next trip is a week-long handbike tour in Bavaria. After that, I will enjoy a three-day motorbike tour with "Crazy Run" and then experience a one-week surfing holiday with "Open Ocean" in Portugal. I'll be sailing again in the Netherlands with "Sailwise".

In November, I will fulfil a big dream: I will first fly alone to Tokyo for a week, experience adventures there and then travel on to Bangkok. I will then explore Singapore and celebrate New Year's Eve in New York - another dream I want to realise.

I'm financing myself completely. By selling my house and car, I have given myself the freedom to discover the world in a wheelchair. Travelling has given me a renewed zest for life and I look forward to every new adventure. I'm also planning to write a children's book to encourage others.

You can follow my adventures on my Instagram page 'duesewind_by_daniela_moeller'.

Maybe my love of travelling is contagious.