Possibility Can Be Designed
“That journey did not teach me that everything is possible. . . . It taught me that possibility can be designed.”
— Álvaro Silberstein
What makes participation possible? For Álvaro Silberstein, a wheelchair trek through Patagonia took adaptive equipment, careful planning, and a team willing to figure things out together.
In this AFAR essay, the Wheel the World cofounder reflects on that experience and what it taught him about making travel accessible.
We had the pleasure of meeting Álvaro over Zoom and were struck by his kindness and insight. His message echoes conversations we have with students: the barriers people face often come from how an environment is built, what others assume, and whether anyone is willing to adapt.
On a mountain trail or a school playground, we can all help create more ways to participate.
