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“If I'd let my fears rule the day, I would've missed thrilling moments that I will never forget.”

What are you doing for Thanksgiving?

I hope you’ve got plans to be with your family - biological and chosen.

As this season of gratitude approaches and many of you may be making travel plans, I wanted to reach out with my story that might inspire you.

I recently returned from a bucket-list trip to Europe with my wife Kirsten and our daughter Betty. We traveled to London, Paris for the Paralympics, and then to Italy, soaking in the sights, sounds, and cultures along the way.

But honestly, as a wheelchair user, I had all kinds of fears and doubts - it’s a trip I almost didn’t take.

FEAR

What if the airports and flights are more challenging than I could handle?

What if wheelchair-friendly transportation in Europe was non-existent?

What if the things we want to see aren’t accessible?

And leaving the Triumph team for three weeks — how would that go?

But I learned something big about fear: it’s okay to feel it. Sometimes fears are rational and realistic. In fact, some of my fears about the trip came true.

But if I had let my fears rule the day, if I let the fear make my decisions for me, I would have missed out on so much beauty, history and thrilling moments that my family and I will never forget.

When you push through your fears, you often find the experience on the other side is worth every doubt you had.

So if you’re facing something that feels intimidating, keep going — you never know what’s waiting for you just beyond that fear.

CHALLENGE

One of the highlights of our trip was seeing the Paralympics in Paris.

These athletes were absolutely incredible to watch.

I saw people like me, people from every background and every type of physical limitation, overcoming the challenges of their disabilities and achieving things that left me in awe.

Paralympic athletes are truly “Spirit in Motion.”

And to see them do it in person helped me gain a new perspective on my own abilities, and the abilities of our own Triumph athletes back at home - who may be competing at the Los Angeles Paralympics in 2028.

I needed this reminder — to set my sites higher, to keep challenging myself and the Triumph family I serve, to reach beyond our abilities, even when things feel tough.

ADVENTURE

One night in Rome, a broken elevator lift for the train left us stranded many miles from our hotel. After exhausting all the accessible options with no luck, we had to make a tough decision.

After multiple hugs and promises to be careful, I put Kirsten and Betty on the train to our hotel, and I began to roll my way through the city streets alone. Although I felt strong misgivings about starting the journey, I soon became exhilarated by the adventure.

I navigated winding, unfamiliar and unnamed streets, with dead-ends, staircases, and so many ancient cobble stone streets!  But my wheels did their job and I made it to the hotel at last, tired but happy.

I saw some amazing sites and met some of the friendliest people on my way too. Despite our language barriers they were all eager to lend a hand.

It was one of those adventures that only come from things not going quite as planned, and it reminded me how fun it is to just go with the flow sometimes. When you’re open to a little unpredictability, you get to see life unfold in a whole new way.

FAMILY

Of course, the one thing that I’ll never forget about this trip to Europe is the one thing I’m most grateful for this Thanksgiving — my family. Kirsten and Betty are my heart. And to have so much dedicated time with them all to myself, is a gift I can’t imagine allowing fear to prevent me from receiving.

Thank you, girls. I love you

Thanksgiving is about appreciating your family — whether they’re your dear friends, close relatives, or a new friendship just beginning — and expressing your thanks for their presence in your life.

Triumph is so grateful to have you in our family, and are absolutely blessed to have your faithful support.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Andrew Skinner

As we head into Thanksgiving next week, and Giving Tuesday the following, please consider making a tax-deductible gift to help pave the way for Triumph Foundation’s ongoing growth and impact for people living with paralysis in 2025!