OT in the Wild: How I Adapted My Travel Routine After a Sudden Injury

Reflections from a Third-Culture OT Navigating Mobility, Independence, and a Changed Routine

Hi friends, Aya here—pediatric occupational therapist, third-culture kid, and founder of Koi Wellness. I didn’t plan to write this blog, but like many of the moments that shape our growth, it came uninvited… mid-trip, one awkward step, and suddenly, I couldn’t walk.

That calf injury was minor in the grand scheme of things, but for someone used to taking 10,000–20,000 steps a day, navigating international cities on foot, and squeezing in spontaneous visits across the East Coast of the United States, the shift was immediate and humbling.

From Active to Air Cast

After hobbling to urgent care, I was referred to orthopedics and fitted with an air cast. No weight-bearing, they said. Rest. Ice. “Use crutches.”

But… the crutches hurt. They were awkward, painful, and frankly, not functional for someone navigating hotel rooms and sidewalks without curb cuts. I couldn’t put weight on my leg and had no access to a car. Just my husband’s support—and my OT brain.

The OT Mindset in Everyday Recovery

What kicked in almost immediately was what I teach my clients:
Adaptation, pacing, and sequencing.

  • I couldn’t take a full shower, but I could sit on the edge of the tub and do a sponge bath.

  • Hair washing got skipped, until I could safely manage a full shower.

  • I paced my energy: 0 steps some days, then slowly walking laps inside the hotel room as my leg improved.

Knowing how to break down Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) into safe, doable chunks made a big difference, physically and emotionally.

The Emotional Impact of Losing Independence

I’ll be honest, this was hard. I went from navigating complex family systems and school support plans to needing help to walk to the bathroom.

As OTs, we talk a lot about function. But when you lose independence—even temporarily—you feel the shift in your nervous system, in your identity, in your mood. And in that in-between space, you realize how vital it is to have strategies, options, and support that meet you where you are.

More than the injury, the decisions that came next were pivotal:

  • Do I accept the invitation to Boston or stay put?

  • Should I bring a backpack if it throws off my balance?

  • How do I manage recovery when I don’t have my normal tools or routines?


Systems, Insurance, and the Invisible Stress

For context, I’m insured under Tricare as a military spouse. While everything seemed covered, there’s always that what-if—will the bill show up at our US address in a different state? Will I need to justify care received while “just traveling”?

This is the part no one prepares you for—navigating systems when you’re in pain, unsure, and far from home. It reminded me how many families I support are doing just that, every single day.

Why I’m Sharing This

I don’t have all the answers. But what this injury gave me was a deeper empathy for parents who are navigating uncertainty, especially in cross-cultural or in-between spaces.

Many of the families I work with don’t have easy access to services. They’re figuring things out mid-transition, mid-year, or mid-travel. They’re dealing with sensory needs, school changes, or medical systems that feel foreign.

So if you’re parenting through change, or just trying to figure out how to support your child while balancing your own needs—you’re not alone.

💬 New: Virtual Parent Consultations Are Now Open

As a way to better support families navigating these kinds of moments, I’ve opened up Virtual Parent Consultations. These are 1:1 sessions designed to offer practical, compassionate guidance, without needing a referral, diagnosis, or ongoing therapy commitment.

We’ll talk through:

  • What’s happening at home (or on the road)

  • What routines feel stuck

  • Sensory or regulation strategies that work for your family

  • What support looks like when you’re “in between”

✨ You can learn more here or email me directly at aya@koiwellness.org for a free screening.

Final Thoughts

I never expected a sprained calf to slow me down this summer, but I’m grateful it reminded me of something I already knew: support isn’t about fixing everything, instead it can be about meeting people where they are, with grace, tools, and curiosity.

Whether you’re recovering from a setback or just trying to stay steady during transition, I hope Koi Wellness can be a soft landing place for you.

Stay connected here on the blog or find me on LinkedIn, ​Instagram​, and ​Facebook.

Aya PorteOccupational Therapy, Travel, Injuries, ModificationsComment