Chime In I’m a Wheelchair User—and Despite the Obstacles, I Love to Travel Stories You May Like Hotelie Wins Poker’s Shiniest Crown Concoct a Cocktail in Honor of Our Newest Alumni MD Keeps Adventure Travelers Healthy on the High Seas Navigating the world with a spinal cord injury has given me a distinct perspective on my chosen field: hospitality By Nina Bachich ’19 What do you do when your life completely changes in an instant? You adapt and redirect. From a young age, I was determined to become a Hotelie. As a little girl, I would practice my sommelier skills during my parents’ dinner parties and worked my first “real” job at 16 as a chambermaid at my hometown’s local motel. I was more than thrilled when I was accepted to the Nolan School of Hotel Administration. Between classes, I TA'ed Food Service Management, Theory, and Practice—the legendary culinary course—and worked at Statler’s Regent Lounge. After graduating, I moved to Miami to pursue my dream job with Royal Caribbean Group, where I could combine my passion for hospitality with the travel industry. In October 2021, a normal night out with friends changed my life. After a horrific incident (whose details I prefer not to share), I went from complete normalcy to a total loss of movement and sensation. I was paralyzed. I was hospitalized for months with a spinal cord injury and faced my new reality as a paraplegic and full-time wheelchair user. Attending the wedding of her sister—fellow Hotelie Natalie Bachich ’13, BS ’14—in Guatemala. My daily routine changed from having a 9-5 corporate job and hanging out with friends to weekly hospital visits and daily intense physical therapy sessions. Although I am lucky to have regained some function in my legs and am able to walk assisted for short distances, I still use a wheelchair as my main method of navigation. Forced to adjust my lifestyle to accommodate my new limitations, I began confronting challenges most people never imagine—and facing the inherent inaccessibility of our communities. Forced to adjust my lifestyle to accommodate my new limitations, I began confronting challenges most people never imagine. After the initial shock of my new life set in, I quickly discovered that the vacations I had planned were no longer feasible. I turned to Facebook groups focused on accessible travel and learned that many people with disabilities face significant barriers when traveling. Common issues included fears of inaccessibility and a lack of adequate resources, even in the U.S. Stories You May Like Hotelie Wins Poker’s Shiniest Crown Concoct a Cocktail in Honor of Our Newest Alumni Her view in the bathroom of an “ADA compliant” hotel. My feed was filled with distressing accounts of hotels advertising wheelchair-accessible rooms that failed to meet ADA standards and wheelchair users struggling with inaccessible airplane restrooms. Easy travel seemed impossible. Despite the challenges, I was determined not to let my new reality prevent me from traveling. My first trip after becoming paralyzed was a weekend visit to my mother’s homeland, Guatemala, for my sister’s wedding. Although I had visited Guatemala many times before, this trip was different. I couldn’t stay at my grandparents’ house due to its numerous steps, so I opted for a hotel that listed wheelchair-accessible rooms. I soon learned how reliable the accessibility features were: while there was a ramp to my room, it was too steep for me to ascend alone, and the shower had a step, making it impossible to bathe without assistance. We even had to hire a driver to transport me across streets, since the roads were cobblestone and the sidewalks lacked curb cuts. Despite the difficulties, I managed to make the trip a success. While I recognized that accessibility laws in Guatemala differ significantly from those in the U.S., I soon found that American hotels also faced similar issues. I began documenting my travel experiences and the accessibility challenges I encountered. Time and again, I found myself entering hotels that failed to meet basic accessibility needs. Time and again, I found myself entering hotels that failed to meet basic accessibility needs. Although I understand that perfection is unrealistic, it is particularly disheartening when establishments advertise ADA-approved access but fall short of complying with the regulations. These barriers have inspired me to advocate for change and ignited a passion for improving disability services. I am committed to championing better and more transparent accessibility and ensuring our communities are fully inclusive. In August 2024, I began studying public policy at Georgetown University, with plans to attend law school afterward. My aim is to combine my love for hospitality with my dedication to disability rights, working toward a more inclusive industry and addressing issues of accessibility misrepresentation and discrimination. I am passionate about advocating for a fairer and more equitable world for disabled individuals, particularly in the realm of travel. Visiting Istanbul’s Blue Mosque with her parents (dad is Joseph Bachich ’81, MPS ’85) and grandmother. Since becoming a wheelchair user nearly three years ago, I have explored four continents and visited countries around the world. By sharing my travel experiences with the disabled community, I hope to inspire others to embark on their own journeys—and demonstrate that travel is indeed possible for those with disabilities. New Jersey native Nina Bachich ’19 spent the past five years living in South Florida, immersing herself in its vibrant hospitality scene. Her career journey has taken her through a variety of roles in hotels, restaurants, and travel. In July 2024, she was featured in a Cornellians story on the tradition of Regent Lounge senior cocktails. (All photos provided.) Published August 26, 2024 Comments Susan Anderson, Class of 1961 28 Aug, 2024 What an inspiring story. I believe in the value of a Cornell experience more everyday. By the way my parents donated a platter belonging to my 4 greats grandfather, Ezra Cornell, to the hotel school. Reply Ariane Tulloch, Class of 2006 28 Aug, 2024 Ms. Bachich seems like a resilient woman. I applaud her for continuing to travel and for bringing to light issues that those with disabilities might face when they travel. I hope that her advocacy will effect change. Reply Susan Brown 29 Aug, 2024 Thank you for sharing the challenges that remain. My daughter was in a wheel chair in her early teens and it opened my eyes to the barriers that still exist. They still exist 20 years later. We must do better. Reply Becky Mauldin, Class of 1995 1 Sep, 2024 My dad and I were in a very serious motorcycle accident the summer prior to my senior year at Cornell, August 1993. You are absolutely correct that life can change in an instant. I commend you for your perseverance and resilience, and for advocacy for people with disabilities to be afforded the same access and opportunities for travel. My dad has lived as an amputee since our accident (31 years now). Reply Leave a Comment Cancel replyOnce your comment is approved, your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *Comment * Name * Class Year Email * Save my name, email, and class year in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ Other stories You may like Quizzes & Puzzles Are You an Ezra—or an Andrew? 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