Quality of Life Grants: Finding Freedom at Sea
Each month, the Mountain States Chapter awards Quality of Life Grants to help members cover the cost of experiences or projects that enhance their daily lives. Grants range from $500 to $1,000, depending on membership level, and support activities such as family outings, adaptive recreation and minor home modifications. Recently, chapter member Jeff Schenkelberg used a Quality of Life Grant to help pay for a cruise. He reflects on how the trip restored his sense of independence and broadened his outlook.
For me, travel has always represented freedom. But after my spinal cord injury, when I became a T6-level paraplegic, that freedom felt out of reach. The thought of navigating airports, cruise terminals or unfamiliar places in a wheelchair was intimidating. It’s easy to get caught in the what-ifs and fears that come with planning accessible travel.
But over the years, I’ve learned something powerful: Independence doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means not being afraid to try.
When my wife and I first started cruising after my injury, we always traveled with family or friends for backup. Having that support gave us comfort and confidence, and each trip helped us learn a little more about what worked and what didn’t.
This year, after 11 years of cruising, we decided to take a leap of faith and go by ourselves. No extra hands, no safety net — just us. It was one of the most rewarding decisions we’ve ever made.
Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas made it possible for me to move around the ship freely, from the pool deck to the theater and even up to the sports deck. I could wake up each morning, roll out onto the balcony and breathe in that ocean air on my own. That feeling — that independence — is something I can’t quite put into words.
Of course, there were challenges along the way. TSA checkpoints are never fun, and some ports had bumpy cobblestones that tested my patience. But every time I rolled past one of those obstacles, it reinforced what I’ve learned over the years: accessibility isn’t just about ramps and elevators — it’s about the confidence to keep moving forward.
Coming home from this trip, I realized just how much it changed me. It wasn’t just a vacation — it was a reminder that life doesn’t stop after injury. In fact, it can become richer, fuller and more meaningful when you start saying “yes” to new experiences again.
Because when you’re out at sea, surrounded by open water and endless horizon, it’s impossible not to feel free.
Cruising has improved my quality of life in ways I never expected. It gives me freedom, connection and perspective. It lets me see the world, meet new people and push beyond what I thought was possible.
Feature photo: Jeff Schenkelberg enjoys the fresh ocean air and view aboard Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. He used a Quality of Life Grant to help pay for the cruise.
Quality of Life & Education Grants
We offer funding for projects and equipment that enhance independence, accessibility, and daily living, as well as financial assistance to help members pursue academic, vocational and continuing education goals.