Oh, The Places You'll Go!

Justin Skeesuck

Filmed on October 10, 2015 at the 2015 AIGA Design Conference.

Former designer Justin Skeesuck first learned about the Camino de Santiago, an epic 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain, in the spring of 2013 while watching PBS. Skeesuck, who now helps people with disabilities learn how to travel, lives life with a progressive neuromuscular disease, yet still had the intense urge to tackle the Camino. Knowing he needed help, he appealed to his lifelong friend, Patrick Gray, who quickly responded, “I’ll Push You!” In this video, Skeesuck shares funny stories, beautiful photos, and mind-boggling footage of his journey of how it has changed not only his life, but the lives of others.

Justin Skeesuck, known as “The Disabled Traveler, ” encourages and instructs people with disabilities in how to successfully navigate and overcome the many challenges they face in their lives and when traveling. A former graphic designer, he’s now a motivational speaker, trainer, and accessibility consultant. His authentic, powerful, and unique storytelling gives insight on what it’s like to live with a progressive neuromuscular disease while providing training based on more than 20 years of accessible-travel experience.

Most recently, Skeesuck became the first person in history to complete the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile pilgrimage across northern Spain, with his best friend, Patrick Gray, pushing him in a wheelchair. He believes life is defined not by one’s perceived limitations, but by their actions.