Mirjana, a young woman with cerebral palsy, shares her story about finding confidence and purpose through independent travel.
I got married for the first time a few months ago. I never thought I would get married, yet in my mid-thirties I met someone I know deeply cares about me. However, getting married meant that I had to relocate cities.
Moving cities can be daunting for anyone. It means having to get used to a whole new place. It begins a process of getting used to a new home, a new road network, a new shopping centre, a new routine, and the list goes on and on. However, for someone with cerebral palsy it also means starting afresh with a whole new medical team.
After living in one city for 35 years I had developed an extensive support network. This came through family, friends, colleagues, support workers, and a rather helpful medical team, which took me years to build. Most of my medical team had journeyed with me through some really challenging situations.
Instead of encouraging me towards university, they placed me in special classes, assuming I wouldn’t be able to cope. I often wondered why others were making decisions about my future without even asking what I wanted.
After school, I tried studying tourism at TAFE, but my experiences there were disheartening. My differences weren’t accommodated, and I was bullied out of class. Still, I refused to give up. I returned the following year, determined to finish what I started, and earned my Certificate IV in Tourism. That achievement wasn’t just about education; it was about proving to myself that I could succeed in spaces that weren’t built for people like me.
Navigating life with mild cerebral palsy has been one of my greatest challenges. In settings with non-disabled people, I was often dismissed as “too different,” yet in disability-focused environments, I was sometimes seen as too capable to belong. I was stuck between two worlds, struggling to find my place. It was a lonely experience, but over time, I started to realise that I wasn’t the problem—the rigid expectations of society were.
Work opportunities have been another hurdle—many doors closed because of my disability. I applied for countless jobs, only to be rejected time and time again.
But instead of waiting for the world to change, I decided to take control of my own journey. In 2018, I did something many doubted I could do—I packed my bags and travelled solo to the other side of the world.
That experience changed everything. Through travel, I found confidence, independence, and a new sense of purpose. I navigated foreign cities, met incredible people, and proved to myself that I was capable of so much more than others had assumed. Travel taught me resilience in a way nothing else had. Eventually, I decided to share my experiences in a book, My Balkan Heart. It’s not just a travel memoir—it’s a story about breaking barriers, challenging expectations, and refusing to let disability define what’s possible. In the book, I also include practical advice for other people with disabilities who dream of exploring the world on their own terms.
For anyone facing similar challenges, I want to say this: you are more capable than others might believe. The road may not be traditional or easy, but it is yours to create. Keep pushing forward, because success isn’t about following the expected path—it’s about carving your own. And sometimes, the most incredible journeys begin the moment you stop waiting for permission and start believing in yourself.
For more information about travel and holidaying as a person with cerebral palsy, My CP Guide hosts a variety of information resources. Browse the Leisure & Recreation category on My CP Guide to find other relevant resources.