As we recognize MS Awareness Week, we are honored to share the story of Sylvia Longmire, an accessible travel writer, advocate, and longtime MobilityWorks client. Through her platform, Spin the Globe, Sylvia inspires those with disabilities to embrace travel and explore the world—despite the challenges that come with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Planning for an Unpredictable Future
MS is a progressive disease that affects the central nervous system, and for Sylvia, that means navigating an uncertain future.
“MS is a progressive disease; it gets worse over time—it certainly has with me,” she shares. “I’m lucky that I’m on very good treatment, so my progression has been slow. However, I cannot plan more than a year or two in the future because I don’t know where my body is going to be in two, five, or ten years.”
Despite these uncertainties, Sylvia remains proactive. She lives on her own, but understands that her next move may be to an assisted living facility one day. She also carefully plans her travel experiences, knowing she may eventually need assistance to continue her adventures.
“My philosophy is that the things that I do, I have to do them while I can, because I don’t know how long I can do them.”
A Mission-Oriented Mindset
As a U.S. Air Force veteran, Sylvia’s service instilled in her a mission-first mentality.
“Everything that I do always has the goal of helping something greater than myself,” she explains.
After leaving the military, she turned her passion for travel into advocacy, becoming an influencer in the accessible travel space.
“Now, for the last nine years, I’ve been working to get information out into the disability community so they can pluck up the courage to travel or go places they didn’t know they could go.”
Her commitment to accessibility and representation extends beyond travel. As an actor, she is pushing for greater disability representation in media, having recently appeared in her first TV show (English Teacher on FX) and a soon-to-be-released national commercial.
Changing Perceptions of Accessible Travel
Sylvia has traveled to destinations all over the world, challenging common misconceptions about accessibility.
“The biggest surprise when it came to accessibility was Asia,” she recalls. “Shanghai was a very pleasant surprise. They don’t have accessible buses or taxis, but their metro system is very accessible. Seoul in South Korea was incredible, and Singapore was one of the few places where I could leave my hotel and didn’t have to do a ton of research on whether or not a place was going to be accessible.”
Even in regions with limited accessibility, she finds ways to make travel work. Cruising, for example, allows her to explore places where she couldn’t easily stay overnight.
“That’s what’s great about cruising—you can go to a port of call, see the places that are accessible, and then get back on the ship.”
Advice for Others with MS
As a former ambassador for the National MS Society, Sylvia often worked with newly diagnosed individuals. Her advice? Educate yourself.
“Not only about the disease, but about treatment options. If you can get on treatment, do it as soon as possible to help slow progression.”
She also stresses the importance of finding the right support system.
“Get people around you that want to lift you up and not feel sorry for you.”
Most importantly, she encourages people to focus on what they can do.
“If you stress out about what you can no longer do or what you may not be able to do down the road, you’ll spiral. Focus on what you can do in the moment for your body, for your health and just for your lifestyle in general.”
Parenting with MS: A Unique Challenge
Sylvia is also a proud mother of two teenage boys. Parenting with MS has presented unique challenges, but she has always prioritized providing her children with rich experiences.
“I’ve taken them to 37 states in the last few years. They were too young to remember me walking, so this is all they’ve known. For them, it’s a normal thing.”
She also emphasizes the importance of visibility, allowing children to ask questions and learn about disability in a natural way.
“For my kids to have that perspective, and to expose other young children to it, is so important.”
Independence Through Mobility
A longtime MobilityWorks client, Sylvia is upgrading to her fourth wheelchair accessible vehicle—a Chrysler Pacifica equipped with an advanced AEVIT system.
“I’m having a hard time with my right hand and right arm, so I needed a very high-tech new system to help me drive. It’s incredible—I can say ‘Computer, put my car in park’ and drive with a joystick. I’m so excited.”
For Sylvia, driving isn’t just about getting from one place to another—it’s about independence and reducing anxiety.
“Driving is a major source of stress when I’m not able to do things easily, and obviously it’s a safety issue.”
Spinning the Globe, One Destination at a Time
Whether she’s traveling the world, advocating for accessibility or pushing for better disability representation in media, Sylvia is making an impact that reaches far beyond her personal journey.
During MS Awareness Week, we encourage you to learn more about Sylvia’s travels and insights by visiting Spin the Globe. And for those seeking greater mobility and independence, MobilityWorks is here to help you on your journey. Contact us today to learn more!
