Cienna Ditri: Embracing life, travel and fashion, with grace and confidence despite her disability

“My happiness isn’t dependent on my health. have known for most of my life that being sick” or disabled doesn’t make me, my life, my happiness, or anything about me any less. can live a beautiful and fulfilling life anywhere and in any way that me and my body can. am not suffering from my conditions or trying to overcome them. am living with them. can’t change what happens to me, but can change how react to it.”

- Cienna Ditri

Cienna radiates a deep passion for life despite living with multiple chronic illnesses. Her exuberant personality allows her to look beyond her illness and embrace adventure, advocate for disability rights and indulge in her passion for travel and fashion.

Growing up in Michigan, Cienna's childhood was filled with outdoor activities-golfing, skiing and boating on the lake during the summer months. She developed a deep connection with nature and the ocean, which continues to be her favorite place to this day. Cienna's love for fashion also blossomed early, shaping her unique sense of style and creativity.

She loves to travel and although it is often accompanied by damaged suitcases and stressors like inconsiderate flight attendants, this in no way dulls her travel enthusiasm. She confessed, "I love to travel, but that doesn't mean it's easy. I once did a social media post starting with, I love to travel but an airline broke my wheelchair," she chuckled, "and somebody commented, are you sure you know what I love to travel means?"

Undeterred, this remains a very important aspect of her life and as she travels in the U.S. and abroad, what constitutes a luxury vacation for her is accessibility. "This is the most important thing," she said. "Then, the experience of being outdoors and at one with nature, getting to share enjoyable moments in beautiful places with the people. I love and care about is luxury.

But simply being at the ocean is absolute luxury!" She is a frequent traveller-last year she travelled at least once per month. Although most of her travels were for medical reasons, she said, "That doesn't mean that I can't make it an amazing travel experience." And she did, often with her mom.

With travel being such an important part of her life, Cienna found ways to make the process less frustrating. She shares insights into what works for her. It may also work for you.