It’s what we’ve all heard before. The unpredictability of life. How plans aren’t guaranteed. Trails are like that too.

Walks, whether to the bus stop, down a nature trail, or through my neighborhood, have taught me how to adapt. With vision loss, even the most familiar places and routes can lose familiarity.

The winter months can be daunting for those with vision loss, myself included. Navigating slippery sidewalks, over unplowed curb cuts, and through frozen slush in the cold is really, not appealing. The blinding glare of snow, not pleasant.

Backpacking can be a transformative experience, but so can everyday experiences. Self-growth doesn’t need to happen out in the wilderness. We all face adversity and learn about ourselves in diverse ways, but through connecting with ourselves and others, we can do more than we thought possible.