How would you describe yourself to people who don’t know you?
Hi everyone! Vineet here. I’m 25 years old and I’m a musician. I love to play the Octapad and have been training for it for the last 14 years. I also love travelling to new places with my family in India and have also been to 8 countries so far. Oh, and did I mention I was born with Spina Bifida and have been on a wheelchair since childhood? It skips my mind sometimes as I’m busy living life
What made you start the Wheelchair Travels Account on Instagram and Youtube?
“Wheelchair Travels with Vineet” on YouTube began during the COVID-19 lockdown. At the time, my mum had some spare time from her 9-to-5 job, and I was thoroughly bored. Since she enjoys editing videos, it was her idea to start the YouTube channel. We began by uploading videos we had taken since I was a baby.
After the lockdown ended, we started our Instagram account since we were travelling quite a bit and my mother became busy with her full-time job. Instagram was more convenient compared to YouTube, as we were able to post instant pictures and reels.
I gained more followers and began to get noticed by people in accessible travel and tourism. I’ve been featured in three magazines so far — the first one from Canada, the second from India, and the most recent one from Australia!
“Wheelchair Travels with Vineet” also happened because there is very little information on the Internet regarding wheelchair travel and we wanted to help those in a similar situation like us. For instance, elderly people who use wheelchairs or maybe someone had an accident or something. So through our videos we also try to raise awareness regarding accessibility and we want our videos to reach the people who look after the department of tourism and accessibility especially in our country.
You’ve been featured in 3 magazines so far – how did you feel when they approached you? What is it like sharing your story and life experiences with people?
Oh I was very excited when the representatives from the Canadian magazine, Accessible Journeys’ (https://melangeandco.com/vlogger-spotlight-vineet-valentine-victor/) contacted me. I was like “Wow, people are looking at me from Canada?” They even let me write my article on my own and published it in their Winter 2023 issue without edits.
Next, I was contacted by ‘India Outbound’ magazine (https://indiaoutbound.info/market-analysis/patches-of-progress-in-accessible-travel-globally/) and my mum gave a phone interview on my behalf as I cannot talk for long intervals. I was featured in their Jan-Mar 2025 issue. It felt great to be featured alongside Founders of national and international accessible tourism companies like ‘Planet Abled’, ‘Abled Voyages’, ‘Responsible Travel (UK)’ and others. My extended family was very proud the day we got a hard copy of the magazine.
And my most recent feature as ‘Readers Photos’ came all the way from Australia! The hard copy arrived just 2 days back and I hope some day my article will be featured as well!!
I just feel very accomplished that ‘accessible tourism’ is finally being noticed as a great business opportunity considering that 1.3 billion disabled population are finally moving out of their homes and travelling places and it’s a great way to rejuvenate as well. The world is gradually becoming more accessible for people with disabilities—even if progress is slow in some countries—and one day, we hope to see full inclusion in every aspect of life, from travel to education to employment.
What are a few things about accessibility, especially in India that you want people to keep in mind?
My family and I have learned a lot about accessible travel since I was about 2 years old. As I’ve grown, my needs have changed, but one thing we never fail to do is raise our voice. We’ve come to understand that it’s challenging for the able-bodied society to comprehend our needs and the problems we face unless we express them.
Fortunately, there are people who are very willing to listen and make changes for us, so always speak up. Next comes the wheelchair. I have a travel wheelchair that is lightweight, foldable, and easy to store. Usually, my dad pushes me, but in our recent trips, he got exhausted, so now my caregiver accompanies me.
If you have to go somewhere where your caregiver cannot accompany you, the next best option would be a foldable power wheelchair. Always carry protein or food supplements that can be mixed in water and consumed whenever needed.
There are places where I don’t get to eat due to my dietary requirements being a bit different, and I learned this the hard way. If you need a cushion, backrest, or even your customized seat for a long trip, make sure to carry them. Don’t forget your medical supplies at any cost and carry their prescriptions too.
Some places require you to show your disability ID, for example, you need it for the ‘DAS’ pass in Disneyland, without which you won’t be allowed on a ride (we learned this the hard way) and also for the Euro-key (I think). Always check the website of a tourist attraction for disability-related notes beforehand. Sometimes the accessible routes for a place are different from others.
Oh, I almost forgot this one – there’s a portable, lightweight, manual lift available in a few countries now that enables easy transfer of a person in a wheelchair to airplane seats, beds, etc. My parents have purchased one for me, and I will soon put up a reel of how it’s easy to handle, especially from pools, in my Instagram handle .
When did you begin playing the Octapad? How did you learn?
Well, I started learning the Octapad in 2011 when I was 12 years old. My parents thought it would be a great instrument for me to play as they noticed I was musically inclined. So that’s how it started and now it has been 14 years and playing the Octapad energizes me. I’ve performed in my schools and college as well as for online collaborations and recently, I played at the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Conference in Malaysia in 2024. That was my First International Performance, yes. And for all this, I’m grateful to my parents as well as my tutor Mr Swapan Majumder who has patiently guided me all these years. I hope to pursue music further after my graduation as ‘Music is life’ for me.
For inspiration and motivation related to music and travel, I’d say it’s the fusion of new experiences and creative expression! Music has the power to evoke emotions and transport us to different places, while travel broadens our horizons and fuels our creativity. Discovering new genres, attending concerts, and exploring different cultures can be incredibly inspirational. Music and travel are like two peas in a pod, inspiring and motivating each other. Whether it’s discovering new artists, attending music festivals, or exploring new destinations, there’s always something to look forward to. My goal is to unite people globally through the universal language of music, sharing my passion and talent with everyone.
And finally I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Spina Bifida Foundation India, with whom I’ve been associated since a long time now . The Founders Dr Karmarkar and Jahanvi Ma’am are now like family , along with all other members and their families . We first met at the International Conference for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in New Delhi 2018 which SBF had organised and it was a great feeling that we are not alone. The 3 day Conference was a great success and we also got to meet our brand ambassador ’Raveena Tandon’ ma’am!
International Conference for Spina Bifida in New Delhi in 2018
To learn more about Vineet, follow his accounts on Instagram and Youtube where he regularly shares updates about his travels
