Hey! I’m Tanya — a neurodivergent traveler with ADHD, a severe learning disability, hearing loss, and a mix of mental health challenges that don’t exactly make trip planning a breeze.
I’ve traveled the world and gotten lost—mentally and physically—more times than I can count. Not just the “wrong bus in the wrong city” kind of lost (though yep, that’s happened), but also the “ten tabs open, nothing booked, now I need a nap” kind of lost.
Travel, for me, often feels like solving a puzzle where half the pieces are missing, the rest are upside down, and the instructions are in a language I forgot to download. It’s chaotic and unpredictable — but it’s also my escape. Despite the challenges, travel gives me something the world often doesn’t: freedom, discovery, and a break from the constant noise in my head. It’s stepping outside systems that don’t fit me and into spaces where I can breathe, learn, and just be.
Growing up, I knew my brain didn’t work like everyone else’s. Diagnosed in grade 2, school was confusing, focusing was exhausting, and learning never came easily. I needed tutors, extra help, and was even told I’d never make it far. While other kids coasted, I felt like I was climbing a mountain in flip-flops, with no map. But traveling? That was different. I started young, and it became my escape — something physical, tangible, and real I could do and learn from my way. The world became my classroom, and moving through it helped me feel free in ways school never could.
I’m also part of the rainbow (as I like to call it 🌈), mixed race, and first-generation Canadian. My mom’s from Portugal, my dad’s from Africa, and my identity has always been a beautiful mash-up of cultures, experiences, and contradictions. Being mixed race gave me a deep appreciation for travel from a young age—I grew up between languages, customs, and big family meals where food was love and connection. My heritage shaped my curiosity about the world, and both Portugal and Africa hold huge pieces of my heart.
Food has always been one of my favorite parts of travel—trying new dishes, sharing meals with strangers, tasting a place’s story on a plate. Unfortunately, my stomach didn’t get that memo. I’ve been off work medically for a few years due to chronic digestive issues and a never-ending list of food sensitivities. So while I can’t eat a lot of the amazing things I used to, my love for food hasn’t gone anywhere. I have found a new love for foods that I can tolerate. (Ask me about trying to find a gluten-free, dairy-free, avocato-free, low meat meal in a foreign country—it’s a scavenger hunt and a survival sport.)
One of the most important parts of my journey is Bentley—my sweet, stubborn, and outrageously charming 8-year-old pug who’s rarely more than a few inches away from me. Bentley isn’t just a pet; he’s my emotional support gremlin. On tough days, his snorts, side-eye, and relentless need for cuddles remind me to slow down and breathe (even if it’s through his dramatic sighs). He’s got a tongue that’s permanently out, a deep hatred for car rides, and an undying love for McDonald’s fries. He brings calm when I need it, comedy when I don’t expect it, and love every single day—even if it’s delivered with a nonstop lick attack. Bentley has a special way of connecting with people, especially when I can’t find the words, and I truly couldn’t imagine navigating this life—or this website—without him. You can get to know Bentley better here.
Read Bentley’s View
Christine came up with the idea for NeuroExplorer — a space where neurodivergent and differently-abled travelers can find tools, tips, and support that actually make sense. I believed in her vision and put it into action by building the site, organizing it, and handling the behind-the-scenes magic. (Translation: Christine dreams big, I make it real.)
(Read Christine’sWho Am I? story here)
This site is for anyone who’s ever felt like planning a trip is harder than the trip itself. For those who get stuck before they even start, who need space to breathe, breaks built into the day, and info that doesn’t assume your brain works like everyone else’s.
It’s for people who’ve felt out of place while trying to explore new places. For anyone who’s ever thought, “I want to go — but how do I even start?”
Because the truth is, the world wasn’t built for minds like ours — but we’re showing up anyway. And we’re figuring it out one trip, one misstep, one meltdown, and one magical moment at a time.
We’re not here to travel perfectly — we’re here to travel authentically.
NeuroExplorer 