“We have a big problem when it comes to people living with disabilities,” says psychologist Gretchelle Dilán of her native Puerto Rico. “We have a big population and they are all young, but you don’t see them because they are not leaving their houses, and they don’t know how to handle their finances.”

With her doctorate in psychology, Dilán has long been aware of the problem, but she gained a new perspective when she was paralyzed by a stray bullet in a 2012 accident. Despite a difficult recovery, Dilán immediately set out to improve the conditions for the SCI/D community on the island.

She started off by founding Vivo Sin Barreras (Living Without Barriers), a new organization aimed at helping people with disabilities, caregivers and their families. She went on to affiliate with United Spinal Association as the organization’s Puerto Rico chapter.

Dilán used her background in media to also launch La Voz Corre (Spreading the Word), a quarterly Spanish-language magazine for that same community, funded by advertising from companies and providers that serve it. “I started the magazine because I saw the need for information,” she says. Finding and producing relevant content and staying in the black has not been easy, but Dilán says she never thought it would be. She is currently devoting all of her time to the organization and magazine, and trying to start programs that appeal to the island’s SCI/D community.

“We need to have activities to get people out,” she says. “We need to get people out of their beds and out of their wheelchairs — whether it’s going to the beach, movies or something else.”

To that end, Dilán converted a property she owned into a rehab gym, but to her surprise, very few members of the SCI/D community showed up, with the facility mainly being used by the elderly. “I wanted my people to be there and take advantage, but my people didn’t respond to that,” she says.

Dilán has had more luck with a donation-based equipment recycling program. “Let’s say you have a bed or a manual chair, or even something like wheelchair tires — whatever you have that could be useful to someone in a wheelchair, we will collect it,” says Dilán. She stores the goods in her garage until she finds someone who can use them. “My garage never gets full!” she says. “As soon as we list stuff online someone comes to get it.”

Dilán’s latest venture is starting an accessible vehicle dealership. Right now residents and visitors looking to buy or rent an accessible vehicle have no real options. She wants to change that. “We are not a big commonwealth, but we have a lot of people with a lot of needs,” she says. “I’m hoping I can help unite the community here and improve its quality of life.”

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Spotlight: Puerto Rico

by Gretchelle Dilán

My Take

Mofongo. Asopao. Lechón. You might not know these words now, but once you come here and taste what they mean, you will remember them forever. If you’re one of those who believe that a culture is best understood through its food, you’re in for the trip of a lifetime.

Our island hasn’t just become a magnet for foodies; it’s grown into the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean. World-class chefs run the kitchens at many restaurants in San Juan.

Our culinary tradition spans centuries and combines Taíno, Spanish and African cultures, recipes and ingredients. In recent years, it has combined with flavors from around the world to create mouth-watering fusion creations. From gourmet fine dining to roadside kiosks, you will love exploring our menus and discovering the many tastes of Puerto Rico.

Skinny on the Island

Having a disability should neither prevent nor limit anyone from enjoying a visit to our beautiful Puerto Rico. As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, hotels, airports and public transportation systems are outfitted with disabled-friendly equipment. Everything is not accessible, but Puerto Ricans are great hosts and most will go as far as needed to ensure visitors have a pleasant vacation on our island.

Places to Go
Puerto Rico might be a small island, but it is surrounded by more than 270 miles of beautiful coastline. And it’s not just the quantity of beaches that’s impressive. There are countless activities you can do under the sun. Some offer you world-class kayaking. Others feature miles of reefs with plenty of marine life to admire.

Even if you just want to spend the day relaxing and taking in the beauty of white sand and turquoise water, there’s a beach just for you. Luquillo Beach offers an accessible beach area, where you can enjoy the warm waters of the Caribbean. It’s about 45 minutes out of San Juan. If you enjoy kayaking, the Bio Bay Night Kayaking Tour is for you. Located in Fajardo, this bay has microorganisms that produce glowing, or bioluminescence, in the water. This 1.5-mile tour is spectacular and educational.

Puerto Rico’s lively fusion of cultures extends to almost every aspect of Puerto Rican life: the aforementioned cuisine, colorful arts and crafts, vibrant music, and traditional festivals. You’ll experience this diversity anywhere you look, listen, and taste. Our museums feature both European classics and Afro-Caribbean sculpture. Our buildings blend traditional colonial styles with a bright palette of colors. Our music brings together instruments, rhythms and sounds from eras and places as distant from each other as 18th century West Africa and medieval Spain.

Getting Around

Transportation in Puerto Rico is complicated, and can be difficult without your own accessible car. As for public transportation, if you are a resident of the metro area, the government has a service called “Llame y Viaje” (Call and Travel). This paratransit service provides accessible transportation for residents with disabilities and runs on the regular public transportation bus routes. To use this service, you must file a request, and each case is evaluated individually.

If you are not a resident of the island, our United Spinal chapter can provide you with a list of private companies that have accessible transportation, but there is a lot to do still regarding this matter.

Must See, Must Do

El Yunque is the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, a place so indescribable that it must be seen, heard and felt. Trails are not accessible, but you can enjoy the short movie and display at the visitor’s center and also see La Coca waterfall, which is amazingly gorgeous.
Toro Verde features one of the longest zip lines on Earth: La Bestia (The Beast). Adventurers use a specially designed harness to soar through the air across 4,745 feet of terrain.

Medical Facilities

Puerto Rico has a number of medical facilities that treat people with spinal cord injuries and disorders, including the VA Caribbean Healthcare System and HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of San Juan. In my experience, it has been difficult to find access to advanced SCI/D rehab options and treatment.

Editor’s Note: United Spinal helped produce a great accessible travel guide to Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. You can download it for free at bit.ly/23wyivB

 

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