Anyone who knows me even a little knows that I would never choose such a cold destination to visit... but my son wanted to see snow, and I got excited about the idea, since I had never seen it myself.

My sister @nirc7 heard that and said: "We could go to Patagonia." I admit I thought: I don’t think it’ll work to go to Patagonia with someone who has limited mobility... But just to be sure, I decided to do some research.

I contacted two travel agencies about a year ago—an international one specialized in trips for wheelchair users, and a national one (based in Porto Alegre) specialized in Patagonia.

The international agency couldn’t make the trip happen. At the national agency (@patagoniaexperiencetravel), I started talking to Jefferson—a person with an intense life story and extraordinary sensitivity. He told me: "Thais, we’ve never done a trip for wheelchair users before, but after hearing your story, I’m willing to make this trip happen."

From then on, there were several back-and-forth conversations, explaining my sister’s limitations and the responsibility of taking her out of her familiar environment in the countryside of São Paulo for this trip.

One year later, we went to Patagonia—and nothing I say here can fully express my deepest gratitude to Jefferson and @patagoniaexperiencetravel.

Jefferson, thank you for believing even more than I did that this trip could happen. Thank you for understanding the situation and for your commitment to making everything go as smoothly as possible!

Thank you to all the guides who helped us and to the sailors who gave a hand lifting the wheelchair onto the catamarans. Thanks also to the guys at @llanosdelcastorushuaia for helping make the tours possible for @nirc7.

@nirc7... you truly are a warrior.
@correa.mariaalice... thank you for going along with our crazy plans! I know you prefer things way less extreme (I just remembered your face on the snowmobile).
@vitor_correan... My boy, I’m so glad you wanted to see the snow... Without that, none of these incredible days would have happened. You were an amazing travel companion. I love you.

Thank you so much to Jefferson and the entire team at Patagonia Experience Travel.