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








Sunday, December 19, 2010

Another year of Travels in a Blue Chair

It is hard to believe that another year of "Travels in a Blue Chair (the book bloggiary)" is almost finished!

More people have become aware of it and many new libraries have acquired the book. I have participated in numerous book readings and events.

TIBC is now available to the blind, via 14 hours of cassette recording as a talking book! I am so proud of that.

Who knows what 2011 will bring?

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Talking book format !! DB/RC 67926

Hurray! "Travels in a Blue Chair" is now a talking book, for the blind, available from the US Library of Congress ... who would've thought?...over 14 hours of entertainment!

Many thanks to Guy Williams who read my book for over 14 hours!! Also, thanks to Scott Rains who helped get my book into talking book format.

Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru
a Series of Short Stories
DB/RC 67926
14 hours 9 minutes

by Walt Balenovich
read by Guy Williams

Balenovich, who had polio in childhood, recounts adventures in his blue
wheelchair—a device he believes does not confine him, but gives him the
freedom to travel and meet new friends. Describes exploring Australia’s
Great Barrier Reef, celebrating Chinese New Year in Thailand, and
breaking a knee in Zambia. 2007.
DB/RC 67926

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop - Literary Cafe Fri, Nov 19 7pm

I have been confirmed to recite from "Travels in a Blue Chair" at the 5th Literary Cafe presented by the Theatre of Change, which will be held at the Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop.

It will be on Friday Nov 19th at 7 pm.

The cafe is located in New Toronto, in the city's west end, at 2861 Lake Shore Blvd W (between Fourth and Fifth streets on the south side).

I appeared at the first Literary Cafe and really enjoyed it....so if you are looking for something to do on a Friday night, come early, as the cafe is quite an intimate location.

I will be reciting one of the funniest experiences I ever had travelling alone....trying to find a wheelchair friendly washroom behind the old iron curtain, in Budapest Hungary.

I we are lucky the hilarious "Blackberry Poet" will even be on hand too!

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Creating an ad on Facebook

I decided to try my hand at creating an ad on Facebook. The ad system is targeted to different demographic groups chosen when making the ad.

I chose books, adventurers, disability and those people over 30 yrs of age.

I am hoping this could help spread the word about "Travels in a Blue Chair" to a whole new group of readers!

We'll see how it goes.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Disability Studies programs at universities.

Whilst visiting a great friend of mine, named Jennifer, out on the west coast recently, I found out that her book on film making techniques has really taken off.

It turned out that a key individual in Jennifer's field has sought her out to include some passages in their new book. It proved a boost to the circulation of Jennifer's book!!

We discussed trying to find out who might be a key individual in the field of Disability Studies and see if they could see the value of "Travels in a Blue Chair" to those students in this new field of study.

What a great idea, and so innovative! I am planning on following up to see if this is a possibility. You never know who the next great idea is going to come from!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Oh, the Places You Can Go! Stephen Hawking cover

The fall issue of Abilities magazine is out and my article, entitled "Oh, the Places You Can Go!" is in the travel section on page 21. At the end there is a footnote about my book "Travels in a Blue Chair: Alaska to Zambia, Ushuaia to Uluru".

The layout is great and the cover of this issue includes a story about the great disabled scientist Stephen Hawking.

I really hope that all who read the article are inspired to get out and travel on their own or with a friend. Even if you are in a wheelchair, the world of travel awaits!

Again, many thanks to Jennifer at all the gang over at the magazine!

Friday, September 17, 2010

Shop the Shore in Long Branch

I will be out signing copies of "Travels in a Blue Chair" this Saturday out in Long Branch, along Lake Shore Blvd. Long Branch is the stretch of road between Kipling Avenue and Forty Second Street.

I hope to see you there!

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Abilities Magazine article out shortly.

I have been advised that the new, fall edition of Abilities magazine will be out in the coming weeks. Apparently the article and layout look fantastic!

I am really hoping that this article will reach out to a new group of disabled and their families to encourage them to read "Travels in a Blue Chair" and help get them motivated to start up some travels of their own!

Thanks to Jennifer and all the gang over at Abilities!!

Thursday, July 29, 2010

A visit to Europe !


I had the great chance to visit some wonderful friends, many from my book. In England, I visited Esther, Luke and their new baby!

We had the chance to attend lots of birthday parties and go to the zoo! I also visited London and Windsor Castle!

A week later, I went to northern Italy to visit Elisa, Stefano and their child. I met the couple backpacking through Chile, and they had invited me over to visit. It was very hot, but we escaped to the mountains! I also had a chance to visit the Ferrari museum and manufacturing facility.

Later I went to Roma for a brief time to see some of the ancient sites!

Many thanks to all my wonderful new friends from overseas for letting me be part of their lives!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Article submitted for the autumn issue.

I have finished my article for Abilities magazine, and submitted it to their editor Jennifer. I am glad to have had a chance to do some writing again and looking forward to seeing it come out later in the year.

Hopefully the article will inspire many disabled or their friend and families to get out and try some travel of their own. Let the new adventures begin!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

A new adventure!

In a few short days I will be heading off to Europe to see some of my old friends from my backpacking adventures, and you will know many of them from stories in my book!

I will be meeting up with Luke and Esther, from the last chapter, who are now married and have a new baby, who will be 1 year old just after I arrive!

I am hoping to meet up with Sarah, whom I met in Chile and I will be going to Italy to visit Elisa and Stefano and their 4 year old (almost!) before heading down to Rome. I have never been to Italy so am really looking forward to it.

Still have to pack, so the excitement is only starting to build !

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Detti and Lizy.

One of the best things about writing a book, is the feedback you receive from the public!

I received a heartwarming email from Detti and Lizy, out in Nevada. Lizy is in a wheelchair and communicates with a stick, in both English and Hungarian!

Her friend Detti, wrote to me that they found my blog and website, and started reading some stories. Detti helps Lizy to get out and travel and they are so motivated now, they have started their very own blog!! Here it is...


It is just new but I hope that there will be lots of new adventures for these courageous and true friends!!

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Abilities Magazine wants an article

Jennifer, from Abilities Magazine, has contacted me about writing an article about some of my travels.

I suggested an article on a few of my favourite places to visit and some of the reactions I get when people meet me. Additionally, we decided to also include some travel tips to make it easier for others to benefit from some of my experiences.

I had been included in a previous article for the magazine about various books available which are written by disabled authors.

Look for my article in the autumn issue. I am really looking forward to it!!

Monday, May 24, 2010

This year's Party in the Park.

Over the last few years I have really enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the Party in the Park here in the west end.

Unfortunately this year I will be unable to attend as I am heading out on some more adventures overseas. 

If you are in Mimico in late June, please attend the event and support the organizers and authors who all lend their support.

I hope that I can attend again in 2011 !!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Disability Studies

One of the interesting things about publishing a book is that you get to see the area in which readers purchase their copies of "Travels in a Blue Chair".

I am always amazed at how many people in the UK are especially enthusiastic!

I still think I need to make a better effort to try to get the word out to professors of Disability Studies programs, and I will be working to that end.

I hope that all the new readers enjoy the stories!

Monday, May 10, 2010

YouTube - almost 2000 channel views !!

It is amazing to see that I have now had almost 2000 channel views on my YouTube account!!

There are lots of people who come to watch the videos of my interviews to learn more about "Travels in a Blue Chair", and listen to me talk about my adventures.

It is nice to read a book by an author, but probably just as nice to be able to hear some of the stories in my own words!

Keep watching, and keep subscribing ...Thanks!

Sunday, April 25, 2010

Local enthusiasts.

I was at a local community meeting this week and the lady who was checking in the participants recognized me! She had a copy of "Travels in a Blue Chair" and was telling everyone who would listen how much she enjoyed the book.

Today, I was participating at a local clean up day for our neighbourhood park. One of the main organizers had seen an article about me in the local paper and asked if I had a copy that he could ask me to sign. I did.

Wow, it is great to receive lots of positive feedback from all over the world but even nicer to get some in your own backyard!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

The Morning Show on ITV in the UK

I will be visiting some friends in England this summer and have been researching some of the local "chat shows" telecast in the United Kingdom.

One of the biggies is "The Morning Show" on the ITV network. I will be contacting them to see if they would like their viewers to learn more about "Travels in a Blue Chair".

The program airs at 10 am each weekday morning, so since my plane arrives in London at 6 am, it could work out quite well.

I hope that they think it will too!

Thursday, April 15, 2010

An email from British Columbia

Recently I received a wonderful email from a young college student in Victoria, who had recently become disabled.

She was struggling because her parents were reluctant to support her in planning a trip to the US, even though she had travelled extensively prior to the onset of her illness.

I was asked for advice, and  I simply told her that she should go for it.  Her friends at the other end would be waiting to meet her and help out, if necessary.  I explained that things would certainly go wrong, as they always do,  but that was just part of the fun.

It is always great to meet new travellers looking to take up the challenge, and it gratifies me that "Travels in a Blue Chair" is really making a difference out there!!

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

TTC Wheel Trans - Disabled Adventurer

I ride the TTC, which is the local mass transit system here in Toronto, each day into the downtown part of the city.

A few weeks ago a woman working for the TTC asked to take some photos of riders using the system, for their newsletter.  I had my picture snapped and hopefully I will be included in the next edition.

I explained to the reporter that they could point out that "North America's Disabled Adventurer" rides the TTC !!

Here's hoping!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

The book in braille and talking book format

I have been contacted by Scott Rains of the Rolling Rains Report. Scott is doing a consulting stint for Bookshare.org and has asked me to get my book digitized into Daisy format, for people with print disabilities.

I have always wanted "Travels in a Blue Chair" to be available in alternate format for the visually impaired. Bookshare is funded by private organizations and makes books available when authors agree.

I am really looking forward to reaching a new audience of travel lovers!! I am sure they will enjoy all the funny stories in the book too!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Great reading last Friday !

I went to the reading on Friday, and I expected that it would only take an hour or so, as I understood that I was second on the agenda, out of a total of three respondents. 

When I arrived, it turned out that the organizers had received a lot of late interest after putting posters up around the village.

I actually was fifth, and just before an intermission!  The whole event lasted from 7-10 pm, and the little coffee house was packed to the rafters.  In fact, the overflow had to sit and listen from out in the main lobby.

There were lots of really good poetry readings, many of them original, and the moderator always recited something brief, between introductions.

I read a story from Fiji, out of my book "Travels in a Blue Chair", and it was warmly received, with lots of great feedback.

It was a very worthwhile evening and opened my eyes to all the other closet authors out there composing in the dark!

Many thanks to all the folks at the Theatre of Change,  involved for having me out to this wonderful recital.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop, reading Fri Mar 19 7pm.

I have been invited to participate in a literary event at a cool coffee house here in the west end of Toronto on Friday evening, March 19 at 7 pm - 9 pm

The Big Guy's Little Coffee Shop is located at 2861 Lake Shore Blvd W. in Etobicoke (between 4th and 5th streets), here is a link to their website...

http://www.bigguycoffee.com/

The event is run by the "Theater of Change" and will involve many authors, including poets.  

It will be great to meet lots of other authors and see the reactions to one of my stories.

Many thanks to Mohamed for the invitation!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Published...the latest Abilities magazine!

Jennifer forwarded me a copy of the latest Abilities magazine and "Travels in a Blue Chair" was included in a section outlining various book by disabled authors.

The magazine has a wide audience of disabled people throughout North America.

It is great to see that others are out there writing up their experiences so that many people can benefit from experience.

Additionally, I was asked to provide some thoughts on possibly writing an article for an upcoming issue. The next editorial meeting is in May, so we'll keep in touch and I will look forward to working with the magazine again later this year!

Many thanks to Jennifer for all her great support!

Friday, March 5, 2010

World Book Day.

Today is World Book Day!!  I have really never thought about it, because it seems to be very low key (I only found out about it on Twitter just now), but it is a great idea.

The wonderful thing about books is that they take you to adventures or ideas that you may never have thought about before.  Books can inspire you.

I wish I had known about World Book Day ahead of time so that I could have participated in an event, but for this year I am just happy to know that someone, somewhere, will pick up "Travels in a Blue Chair" and enjoy the stories.

In the end, that is all any author can really ask for!



Thursday, March 4, 2010

LeDrew Live on CP24 - CablePlus 24

I have sent a note off to the program LeDrew Live on CablePulse 24, which is here in Toronto.

The program is quite wide ranging and they often have people on have a different point of view that may be interesting. Additionally, viewers can phone in and ask questions. The show is on during prime time at 8 pm, so there would be a large audience.

The program is simulcast on radio 1050 am, so people can listen in while driving in the car!

I am hoping to hear back is a short while, as it could be my first interview of 2010.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Rotary Toronto and The Rotarian

I have had so many successful speaking engagements at Rotary Clubs over the last year, that I am hoping to arrange a presentation at one of the many clubs here in the Toronto area.

Since a portion of the royalties from the book are donated each year to Rotary International's polio eradication fund, it is always great to meet the local members.

I am always received with a very warm welcome.

Maybe some day I will finally even get mentioned in "The Rotarian" magazine, which has thus far not been interested in "Travels in a Blue Chair"? I am nothing, if not optimistic!

Friday, February 19, 2010

Writing an article for Abilities magazine.

I have been asked to write a first person essay for Abilities magazine and have lots of ideas in mind, most of them revolve around motivating the disabled to get out and travel.

Along the same theme, "Travels in a Blue Chair" will be featured in this month's upcoming issue, so I am really looking forward to seeing the article.

Many thanks to Jennifer at Abilities for her tremendous support and for putting out such a great magazine!

Thursday, February 11, 2010

YouTube video views surpass 6000 !!

One of the great things about the internet is the immediate impact you can make all over the world.

As I have been interviewed on TV and radio since publishing the book, I have been able to make these available on YouTube. I recently checked the account and was astonished to see that the various videos have been viewed over 6000 times. To me, that really speaks volumes.

It is also very interesting to track the countries whose viewers are tuning in. Many people I meet comment on seeing me in these interviews, and I receive lots of positive feedback.

It is another great way of reaching out to let other disabled and travel lovers find out about the existence of "Travels in a Blue Chair".

Monday, February 1, 2010

SNAP - a look at my book reading.

The February issue of SNAP magazine is out, and the recent book reading event at the Long Branch library is included!

There is a great little write up and lots of photos of all the great people who attended and enjoyed learning more about "Travels in a Blue Chair".

Here is a link to the article...

http://www.snapetobicoke.com/index.php?option=com_sngevents&id[]=141588


Many thanks again to Andrea, of SNAP, for reporting and to all who attended.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Toronto Public Library (Long Branch) reading.



Many thanks to Andrea of SNAP Etobicoke, for attending my recent book reading at the Long Branch outlet of the Toronto Library.

Andrea took some photos for her magazine and kindly forwarded a few along. I am pictured with Dorota, from the library, who was so nice to extend me the invitation and has been so enthusiastic!!

Monday, January 18, 2010

Contact with Ability Online

One of the great things about attending book events are the people you meet and learning about the great organizations out there for the disabled.

At the book reading last week, I met Julie, an organizer for a group called Ability Online, which came out of a concern for disabled youth who are the subject of bullying. Here is a link to their website (which is in the process of getting an overhaul) ...

http://www.abilityonline.org

Julie wants to conduct a text interview with me in the near future, as well as an online chat. In addition I hope to become more involved and attend some events in the upcoming year.

What a great advocacy group!! Thanks Julie for all the positive energy.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Great book reading!

On Tuesday evening, I attended a book reading at the Long Branch Public Library in Toronto's west end.

I had been invited by Dorota, who works there and who had met me at a book signing late last year.

It was a rather mild night for mid-January and there were about 20 people in attendance, including some friends of mine, who surprised me and came out to support the book.

I started the hour by talking about my experiences and why I wrote "Travels in a Blue Chair", then I read two stories from the book, one from Argentina and the other about Fiji. To end the evening I answered some questions from the crowd.

As usual at my events, the interest was overwhelming and it took longer than the one hour allocated. I finished up with a book signing.

I also had many photos takes, as a photographer from SNAP, a glossy monthly Toronto publication was in attendance.

Many thanks to Dorota, the library and all who attended for making me so welcome and getting the new year off to such a positive start!

Friday, January 8, 2010

Book talk on Tuesday - Long Branch Library 7pm

Just a quick reminder to please come out to hear me read a few stories from "Travels in a Blue Chair" and answer any questions on my travels over the years.

The book club meets on Tuesday from 7-8pm and is open to the public.

I will also be signing books afterward.

The address is 3500 Lakeshore Blvd. W., Toronto.

Click here for a link to the library's website.

See you Tuesday night!

Friday, January 1, 2010

Happy New Year !

I hope that everyone who has enjoyed "Travels in a Blue Chair" has a wonderful new year full of lots of exciting travel, new experiences and interesting friends.

I hope that this year the blog reaches out to a whole new group of people who can continued to be inspired, as much as I have!