Country to Countries: Living Life Without Limits

When Kayla Godwin suffered a devastating car accident in 2015, she never expected it would lead her on an incredible journey of traveling the world and advocating for accessibility.

Kayla receiving hand therapy from Cheryl Giest, OTR/L.

October 12, 2015, started like any other day for then 20-year-old Kayla—but it quickly became life-threatening when a drunk driver hit her, causing multiple traumatic injuries and leaving her in a coma for over a month. Not long after, she arrived at Siskin Hospital, where she had to relearn to do just about everything. After discharging from inpatient care, she continued treatment with Siskin Outpatient Therapy and has seen Cheryl Giest, OTR/L, off and on ever since.

Slowly, Kayla regained independence. But even after multiple surgeries and years of therapy, she still did not regain use of her right hand due to permanent damage to the brachial plexus—the network of nerves that extends from the spinal cord down through the shoulder, arm, and hand.

Just as Kayla was beginning to lose hope, battling not only the physical pain but also the emotional and mental toll of such a severe accident, and opportunity to travel with a mutual acquaintance who also had a disability completely changed her outlook on life. Prior to her injury, Kayla had minimal travel experience and had never even been on a plane. That first trip took her to Amsterdam and India, and the rest is history.

Since her first adventure, Kayla has visited more than 25 countries across six continents. She travels with people who have higher-level disabilities, often serving as a caregiver but quickly becoming a friend.

Kayla (center back) along with her travel group during a recent trip to Italy.

Her most consistent travel companion is well-known accessibility travel blogger and influencer Cory Lee. Just this year, Kayla, Cory, and several other travelers with disabilities explored England, Ireland, Germany, and Italy—learning about each country’s accessibility and showing what is possible for people who use wheelchairs.

“I don’t know why this has happened to me, but it did. I don’t want it to have been for nothing,” said Kayla.

Throughout the years and across all of her travels, her time at Siskin Hospital and continued care from Siskin Outpatient Therapy have remained close to her heart.

“I love Siskin Hospital. I’ve talked about it all over the world,” said Kayla.

Whether overseas or at home in north Georgia, Kayla’s mission is the same: to make the world more accessible. She designs and builds wheelchair-accessible picnic tables, donating them to local parks and organizations, supporting her mission while also acting as a creative outlet.

“I know when I was in the hospital, all I wanted to do was get outside—but that’s just not possible everywhere.”

Kayla and friends on a trip to Teton Village, Wyoming

Kayla has no plans to slow down. With more destinations on her bucket list and a vision of creating a fully accessible farm one day, she is determined to keep breaking barriers.

“My goal is simple,” she said. “I want to make sure other people have the chance to experience life to the fullest no matter their abilities.”

That goal is possible because of the care she received and continues to receive at Siskin Hospital.

To find out more about Kayla’s travels and accessibility advocacy efforts, visit her Facebook page Country to Countries.

Kayla adventuring in Egypt