I'm a disabled and chronically ill digital nomad who travels the world solo. Here's how I manage my health while living abroad.

Hannah Shewan StevensOct 21, 2022, 16:32 IST

Five months ago, I realized my dream of a life of full-time travel, while navigating several chronic health conditions.Hannah Shewan Stevens

Travel has always been important to me, but for many years, I gave it up to due to chronic illness.
While I still live with pain, in 2021, a life-changing surgery helped me fulfill my travel dream.

I grew up with travel-hungry parents who made adventure an integral part of my childhood and travel has always been important to me. But for most of my life, I've never been able to travel freely due to several chronic illnesses.

Travel was always important to me, but felt impossible for many years due to illness.Hannah Shewan Stevens

I grew up with travel-hungry parents who made adventure an integral part of my childhood and travel has always been important to me. But for most of my life, I've never been able to travel freely due to several chronic illnesses.

In my early twenties, I wanted to be a freelance journalist and digital nomad to travel and work full-time. Unfortunately, the life-limiting impact of my illnesses convinced me that I was incapable of navigating the lifestyle.

I gave up travel for years.Hannah Shewan Stevens

In my early twenties, I wanted to be a freelance journalist and digital nomad to travel and work full-time. Unfortunately, the life-limiting impact of my illnesses convinced me that I was incapable of navigating the lifestyle.

Then, in late 2021, my previously undiagnosed endometriosis was officially treated after living with the symptoms for 15 years. A successful surgery allowed me to see that full-time travel could finally be possible.

In late 2021, an endometriosis diagnosis changed everything.Hannah Shewan Stevens

Then, in late 2021, my previously undiagnosed endometriosis was officially treated after living with the symptoms for 15 years. A successful surgery allowed me to see that full-time travel could finally be possible.

Five months ago, I put everything I owned into storage to travel. But taking the leap required a lot more planning for me than the average traveler.

Planning a life of full-time travel required more planning than most people.Hannah Shewan Stevens

I also had to accept that I would be traveling without comprehensive medical insurance.

I made the decision to travel without health insurance.Hannah Shewan Stevens

With my then-partner, I boarded a one-way flight to Thailand in April 2022. It was the best decision I ever made.

I left on a one-way flight to Southeast Asia and haven't looked back.Hannah Shewan Stevens

After Thailand, I flew to Vietnam for two months. I explored Da Nang, a city in the center of the country, and later, the caves of Phong Nha, remote landscapes in Ninh Binh, and the city bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

In Vietnam, catching COVID-19 temporarily set me back.Hannah Shewan Stevens

After Thailand, I flew to Vietnam for two months. I explored Da Nang, a city in the center of the country, and later, the caves of Phong Nha, remote landscapes in Ninh Binh, and the city bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

I also prioritize slow travel, which is defined as exploring places at a slower pace and emphasizing the connection with the local people, culture, and food over hitting the top tourist attractions.

I practice slow travel to help manage my health.Hannah Shewan Stevens

I also prioritize slow travel, which is defined as exploring places at a slower pace and emphasizing the connection with the local people, culture, and food over hitting the top tourist attractions.

Three months into my travels, I broke up with my partner and faced digital nomad life solo. At first, the fear of not having someone close by in an emergency nearly overwhelmed me. But solo travel motivated me to adjust my priorities to take better care of myself.

I now travel solo.Hannah Shewan Stevens

Three months into my travels, I broke up with my partner and faced digital nomad life solo. At first, the fear of not having someone close by in an emergency nearly overwhelmed me. But solo travel motivated me to adjust my priorities to take better care of myself.

Despite the hardships, for me, the benefits of long-term travel vastly outweigh the difficulties of doing it alone, or not at all and I have no plans to give it up anytime soon.

The benefits of travel vastly outweigh the difficulties of doing it alone, or not at all.Hannah Shewan Stevens

Despite the hardships, for me, the benefits of long-term travel vastly outweigh the difficulties of doing it alone, or not at all and I have no plans to give it up anytime soon.

Life offers no guarantee and I don't know if this adventure will always be possible. But for now, I plan to invest everything into making it a permanent lifestyle. Illnesses or not, this road feels like home.

I hope to be a full-time digital nomad for my entire life.Hannah Shewan Stevens

Life offers no guarantee and I don't know if this adventure will always be possible. But for now, I plan to invest everything into making it a permanent lifestyle. Illnesses or not, this road feels like home.

We got an early look at the $107,000 GMC Sierra EV, an electric pickup with 400 miles of range that's coming in 2024

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

I'm a disabled and chronically ill digital nomad who travels the world solo. Here's how I manage my health while living abroad.

I grew up with travel-hungry parents who made adventure an integral part of my childhood and travel has always been important to me. But for most of my life, I've never been able to travel freely due to several chronic illnesses.

In my early twenties, I wanted to be a freelance journalist and digital nomad to travel and work full-time. Unfortunately, the life-limiting impact of my illnesses convinced me that I was incapable of navigating the lifestyle.

Then, in late 2021, my previously undiagnosed endometriosis was officially treated after living with the symptoms for 15 years. A successful surgery allowed me to see that full-time travel could finally be possible.

Five months ago, I put everything I owned into storage to travel. But taking the leap required a lot more planning for me than the average traveler.

I also had to accept that I would be traveling without comprehensive medical insurance.

With my then-partner, I boarded a one-way flight to Thailand in April 2022. It was the best decision I ever made.

After Thailand, I flew to Vietnam for two months. I explored Da Nang, a city in the center of the country, and later, the caves of Phong Nha, remote landscapes in Ninh Binh, and the city bustle of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh.

I also prioritize slow travel, which is defined as exploring places at a slower pace and emphasizing the connection with the local people, culture, and food over hitting the top tourist attractions.

Three months into my travels, I broke up with my partner and faced digital nomad life solo. At first, the fear of not having someone close by in an emergency nearly overwhelmed me. But solo travel motivated me to adjust my priorities to take better care of myself.

Despite the hardships, for me, the benefits of long-term travel vastly outweigh the difficulties of doing it alone, or not at all and I have no plans to give it up anytime soon.

Life offers no guarantee and I don't know if this adventure will always be possible. But for now, I plan to invest everything into making it a permanent lifestyle. Illnesses or not, this road feels like home.