Last year, I submitted a talk proposal to WordCamp Canada 2024, one of the most exciting WordPress events in Canada. Although my proposal wasn’t accepted, I received something even more meaningful: an invitation to join a panel discussion on web accessibility.
It was a dream. An international WordCamp. A global stage. And a topic I care deeply about.
For someone who has worked for years to make the web more inclusive — especially for people with disabilities — this wasn’t just another speaking slot. It was an opportunity to represent Brazil in a conversation that truly matters.
But life had other plans.
In May 2024, months before the event, southern Brazil — where I live — was devastated by historic floods. Entire cities were underwater, families were displaced, and critical infrastructure was damaged. One of the affected sites? Our regional airport, which remained closed until December.
That changed everything.
To get to Ottawa in July, I had to begin a journey most people wouldn’t imagine. It started with a 24-hour bus ride through the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, heading north to reach São Paulo — the nearest international airport still operating.
From there, I boarded a 12-hour flight to Newark, New Jersey, followed by a short layover and a final flight to Ottawa, Canada. After more than a day and a half of non-stop movement — buses, airplanes, airports, and taxis — I finally arrived.
36 hours of travel.
3 countries.
Zero regrets.
Stepping into WordCamp Canada felt surreal. It was my first international WordCamp. And I wasn’t just attending — I was on stage, speaking alongside respected names in the WordPress community, discussing accessibility and sharing the Latin American perspective.
That experience changed something in me.
It reminded me that the most meaningful opportunities don’t come easy. That when you really believe in something, you find a way — even if it means crossing mountains, sleeping on buses, or flying halfway around the world.
Because showing up matters.
Today, I carry that story with me — as a professional, as a speaker, and as someone who simply refused to give up.
🚍 ✈️ 🚖
Brazil → USA → Canada
36 hours. One dream. And it came true.
And this was only the beginning.
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