Don’t Mess With My Independence — A Conversation with Spencer Blomquist

Spencer Blomquist has spent nearly 18 years navigating life as a quadriplegic and he has learned that independence isn't something you simply receive. Sometimes, you have to fight for it.

On this episode of The Wheelchair Round Table, Rico, SJ, Jody, and Spencer dive into the real-world battles that come with disability, from healthcare and caregiving to accessible travel and financial independence.

Spencer opens up about his fight with Humana to protect the 24-hour care and caregivers he depends on, and why losing those services isn't simply an inconvenience—it can directly impact a person's ability to live independently.

We also talk about ABLE United savings programs and how people with disabilities can use financial tools to plan for their futures without giving up the independence they've worked so hard to build.

Then things take a turn toward adventure.

Spencer is an accessible travel specialist and travel agent who helps people with disabilities navigate the complicated world of accessible cruising. With that expertise, Rico and Spencer start planning a Wheelchair Round Table cruise for Jody—because apparently putting a wheelchair user and a travel agent on a cruise ship sounded like a good idea.

And of course, the conversation doesn't stop there.

We get into disability advocacy, peer mentoring, accessible travel, independence, and the importance of making sure people with disabilities have a seat at the table when decisions affecting their lives are being made.

Jody also opens up about the possibility of running for Congress, leading to a bigger conversation about disability representation, advocacy, and what it means when people with lived experience decide to step into the political arena.

This is a conversation about fighting for your independence, knowing your rights, planning your next adventure—and having a damn good time along the way.

Real people. Real stories. Real advocacy.

Welcome to another conversation on The Wheelchair Round Table.

Facebook: Spencer Blomquist

Youtube: @WheelieAwesomeAdventures

expediacrusises.com/en-US/SpencerBlomquist

*******🎥 Technical Note: We lost Spencer and SJ’s video feeds halfway through the episode—but the conversation kept rolling! Technology happens. 😂*******