Breaking a Wheelchair Record: Renee Bruns’ Journey Around the World in a Wheelchair
Renee Bruns has set a Guinness World Record for visiting the most countries in one year – all while using a wheelchair.
Renee Bruns, an American tourist, has had to use a wheelchair since she was 7 years old due to diastrophic dysplasia, a condition that causes severe joint deformities, making it difficult for her to walk. Despite her physical limitations, Bruns developed a passion for travel early on, spending much of her childhood flying across the United States with her mother to meet with medical professionals. By age 16, she had visited all 50 states, and over the next 20 years, she ventured around the world. Bruns, who previously worked in the insurance industry, said: “Disability has its positive aspects; it allows me to see the world from a different perspective.
To date, Bruns has visited 117 countries and territories recognized by the United Nations. Initially, she went with her family to get support when needed. However, in May 2022, she began the solo adventure of a lifetime. Taking a year off from work, she bought a one-way ticket to Bali, Indonesia. Bruns described the experience as scary but also felt new and strange because it helped her go beyond her comfort zone.
Understanding the challenges she might face, Bruns meticulously planned her itinerary. Before going to a new destination, she always requests photos from hotels to make sure they have elevators and wheelchair access. Despite careful planning, unforeseen situations are unavoidable. During such times, Bruns often meets kind strangers willing to help. “I’ve been carried, pushed and supported up the stairs by countless people around the world. Everything always seems to go smoothly,” she shares. In Indonesia, she had difficulty navigating the streets due to high sidewalks and lack of ramps. Luckily, a group of strangers came to her aid. She noticed a significant change in people’s attitudes and perceptions over the past few decades; Now they are ready to help people like her who have difficulty moving. Despite these advances, Bruns still faces many barriers to getting around due to a lack of wheelchair-friendly infrastructure in some places, such as buildings without elevators, ramps or doors narrow bathroom. Additionally, airlines “still have a lot of work to do” to make flying more accessible to people with disabilities like her.
Bruns has explored a diverse range of destinations, from the Maldives to camping under the stars in Antarctica and diving in Honduras. However, some travel experiences are still out of her reach, such as climbing mountains or crossing the desert. She usually avoids destinations with paved roads or rough terrain. “It wasn’t on my radar because I knew I couldn’t access them,” she commented.
The Middle East left a particularly strong impression on Bruns. She found it to be a charming area that she wanted to visit again, noting that the people there were “the best in the world”. Every time he visits a new place, Bruns makes an effort to interact with the locals to better understand their lives and culture. For her, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of travel. She recently achieved a Guinness World Record for visiting the most countries in a year using a wheelchair. Her new goal is to set a record for visiting the most countries in the world as quickly as possible using a wheelchair.
Bruns regularly shares her travel experiences on social media to inspire others like her to get out and explore the world. “There aren’t many people who use wheelchairs who travel, so it’s great to be part of this little community,” she said.
