Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru

A disabled adventurer backpacks the world - alone!! This book makes a great holiday gift or corporate prize! See my TV interviews... http://www.youtube.com/user/bluechairwalt








Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Niagara Express - Dan McLean CHCH TV

I recently sent an email to E! TV (formerly CHCH TV) to ask whether they would be interested in interviewing me regarding my book, Travels in a Blue Chair, on their program Niagara Express, which concerns topics about all things Niagara related .

I was happy receive a reply from Rachel, who works on the show. Rachel explained that they were very interested, as I am originally from Welland, in Niagara. The show is taped on Friday afternoons and they are currently booking into mid-September. So hopefully we can co-ordinate our schedules and I can appear on the program in the very near future.

Hey, the channel is in Hamilton, and I spent the first 5 years of my life in hospital there, so that is a nice fit too! I believe that Dan McLean, the host of the program, is from my hometown of Welland.

Great news....just keeping up the effort to get the word out. Thanks to Rachel for her quick response!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Word on the Street Festival.

Bad news from the Word on the Street Festival which is conducted in late September each year here in Toronto. Apparently I am too late to participate, and usually only books published in the same year are eligible.

Alexandra, the organiser, mentioned that I could rent a table in the 2009 festival. That is so far out, at this point, but I will have to keep it in mind.

It is too bad, I think that Travels in a Blue Chair would have been a neat, and unusual, addition to the show. Oh well, I am still learning the ropes of how things work in the book signing circuit!!

Friday, August 22, 2008

The repeat customer!

I was surprised to receive an email from a woman who had me sign a book for her at my recent book signing event.

Vera (who has the cutest and quietest little blond twins) explained that she was hoping to visit me to pick up another copy! Her husband had started reading "Travels in a Blue Chair", and was really enjoying it. The whole family popped over to my flat after visiting a farmer's market.

The extra copy is headed to Germany for a friend of Vera's mother. Wow, that was so uplifting!!

Monday, August 18, 2008

Canadian Paraplegic Association.

Last week I received a phone call from Dave at the CPA. Dave read the book and was really enthusiastic, telling me that he had enjoyed it.

Dave mentioned that his association's magazine was really lacking in travel content and he wanted to do a review of my book. Additionally, he was hoping to do a follow up in the fall issue featuring a bio of me. I thought this was great exposure for the book. Dave later wrote to ask whether it would be possible to publish one of my stories in the magazine, and of course that was no problem.

I am really looking forward to being a part of CPA, and I learned from Dave that CPA has an outreach program in Guyana, which I am hoping to volunteer for in the near future!!

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Blog Blog Blog ...hits 100 !!

Wow, it is hard to believe that this marks my 100th blog post on this thread!!

So much has happened since launching the book "Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru". Of course like any endeavour, there had been lots of up and downs, all of which I have documented here. But, through it all has been the thought that this was going to be worthwhile.

And it really has!! The feedback that I have received, especially from people who have read the book has really encouraged me to continue on. Many disabled people have written to me that they have enjoyed my adventures, and even a few have mentioned that I have motivated them to seek out some adventures of their own!

A doctor from France, has let me know that he feels all his fellow medicos should read the book to see the disabled as people who live their lives and not just as patients.

I have had the opportunity to appear in news stories, speak on TV, radio, and even a symposium for the disabled. Additionally, I have recently participated in my first book signing!!

What's in the future for the next 100 blog entries?? Who knows? I will be speaking to Rotary and a school classroom. Hopefully there will be more articles written and I can think up new ways to get the word out on the existence of the book.

I have used the internet for the most part and let's hope the positive energy continues to flow!!

Thanks to all of you out there reading this for your continued support, encouragement and smiles!! Cheers.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Spinal News - Ireland.

Yesterday morning I received an e-mail from a fellow in Ireland who is coming out Canada to do some kayaking. Colm is hoping to write about "Travels in a Blue Chair", in their next issue!! Here is the text I received...so positive, and I am happy to help instill some confidence!! Way to go Colm!

Just read review of your book, we will be writing about it in our magazine Spinal News here in Ireland . I was interested to see you enjoy kayaking. I am flying to Canada this weekend first to Toronto and then up to Algonquin to go kayaking. Like your good self I use a wheelchair to get about.

I was worrying about travelling but reading about all your travelling has boosted my confidence.


Sunday, August 10, 2008

Etobicoke Guardian - community paper article

I was recently contacted by Evan French, a reporter from Inside Toronto media, who had heard about me from the organizers of the book signing event I attended last week. Here is the article...quite a good picture too! Thanks Evan!

http://www.insidetoronto.com/News/Etobicoke/article/53211

Author shares his experiences on his world travels

Walt Balenovich, author of "Travels in a Bluechair" signed copies of his book recently at Mimico Memorial Park.

BY EVAN FRENCH August 8, 2008 11:41 AM

An Etobicoke backpacker has written a book about his travels around the world in his blue wheelchair.


Despite his disability, Walt Balenovich has made solo trips to 26 countries on six continents since 1988. He met with readers - in the rain - to sign copies of his book, Travels in a Blue Chair, at Mimico Memorial Park Tuesday.

Balenovich, who was diagnosed with polio when he was twelve-weeks-old, spent the first five years of his life in a hospital bed.

The biggest factor for disabled travellers is logistics, he said.

"You try to figure out what you can and cannot do," he said. "I'm not bothered when I can't do something."

As an IT consultant, he uses the time in between jobs to scope out potential adventures. He spends time researching trips to find out which areas are most wheelchair accessible, but said these days just about everything is 'do-able'.

"Western Europe is the best," he said. "And the States is better than Canada because of (the country's support for) all the disabled veterans."

He said he chose Holland for his first trip partially because he knew it was flat.

"I knew it was flat and everyone spoke English, in Amsterdam at least, so I could kind of get my confidence."

He said although he plans his trips carefully, things don't always go according to plan.

"When I was in Zambia, I fell out of my chair and broke my leg," he said. "When you're travelling alone in a wheelchair and you've got a broken leg and it's 35 hours back to Toronto, it can be a little problematic."

Balenovich said he wants to motivate all people, not just the disabled, to get out and see the world.

"When I need help I ask for it," he said. "If a guy in a wheelchair can do it, then anyone can."

Friday, August 8, 2008

Walt Balenovich - CBC NewsWorld interview, YouTube.

Here is the video of the CBC interview on NewsWorld from Monday afternoon...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEOavNRdG2A

Many thanks to Terry for coming to the event with me and to Geoff and Tim as usual for the editing and digital feed!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

A rainy book signing !!

I arrived early for the outdoor book signing on Tuesday evening, but the weather didn't want to cooperate! Luckily, my friend Terry had thought ahead and erected his camping tent. My other buddy Cyril also helped out and despite the rain, the many authors in attendance kept in high spirits.

There was great interest and I did get to sign some books, which is very gratifying. I made some new contacts, one was a Scout leader who would like me to speak to his pack, and another contact was a book club member interested in having me over to speak to her group.

My friends Sue and Frank also came to support me. So much positive energy!!

Thanks to Sandy and her organizing committee for a job well done. It was a wonderful learning experience for me!!

Monday, August 4, 2008

CBC NewsWorld Interview.

Had a very pleasant time at the interview this afternoon. Many thanks to Laura, the producer, and all of the staff.

The interview was conducted outside, and covered a wide range of topics and included some questions about what it is like to backpack the world alone in a blue chair.

Hope to get the video up on YouTube shortly.

Tomorrow is the book signing! ;-) I hope the weather holds!

Friday, August 1, 2008

CBC Newsworld!! Mon Aug. 4 @ 1.15pm Andrew Nichols

I returned home last evening and picked up a message from Laura, who works as a producer at CBC Newsworld. Laura produces a travel segment and is going to have me on her piece this Monday. The host of the program is Andrew Nichols. They are hoping to have me on the air live for 1.15pm??

This is all so new, I am hoping to iron out the details today.

Finally some good news from CBC...YAY!! Great way to start the weekend!