I have written, talked to managers and filed ADA complaints if the first two things don't resolve the problem. Some places are just stubborn and refuse to fix things even though ADA has been in effect for 22 years. Parking is one of the biggest pains in my butt still today! It shouldn't be, but it is.

It's not going to be perfect and it's a lot better then it was 17 years ago when I got hurt, but there is room for a lot of improvement. It can always be better and I just want people to be more aware. So many people take walking and opening doors for granted. Like when i see someone who can walk fine take an accessible spot and I have to park at the end of the lot so my lift doesn't get blocked or a quadriplegic with limited or no hand function can't open a door. Me parking at the end of the lot is dangerous because being the height of a child people can't see me and they aren't looking for wheelchairs usually when they are backing up. I have had a few close calls in parking lots.

This is what I go through, but I'm sure someone with a visual impairment has difficulties and will agree things are better, but we can always improve it.

My biggest complaint and I didn't give them a few chances was when I was at the House of Blue in Chicago probably for my 6th show there. Never had a problem with them, ALWAYS accommodating, nice staff etc. until they got a new manager. DENIED me access to the floor even though it had a ramp because I was a "liability and a fire hazard" if I went on the floor. Went on the floor the first 5 times I attended shows there. We got into a heated argument (I wanted to deck him) with him saying if I went on the floor he'd have me thrown out!! The band said I could sit on stage and he wouldn't let me up there for the same reasons. I said to his face that I would be filing an ADA Complaint on his when I returned home and I did. Took 5 years, but they settled for $100,000 fine to the city of Chicago and had to do 32 pages of renovations that they had to pay for. From what the attorney general told me was that now where anyone can walk, someone in a wheelchair can go. Now they can employ people with disabilities. I don't get money when I file, but my intention is to never get money, it's to fix it and make it right for everyone. I never every want someone to go through what I did in Chicago and not everyone is going to fight back if they were in a similar situation.

I look at it this way -- when I first got hurt I was so shy and would let anyone walk over me. There were people who were brave and advocated for me when I was too shy to say something about it. Now, we are all working together to advocate not only for those that are too shy to say something, but for all people with disabilities. My boldness later in life is one of the reasons why the Reeve Foundation hired me.

i confess i just read this thread from page 1. never had any interest before...... good read!
i confess i am keeping my fingers crossed, and holding my breath, that what i want to have happen tonight, happens tonight. :-)

i confess i just read this thread from page 1. never had any interest before...... good read!
i confess i am keeping my fingers crossed, and holding my breath, that what i want to have happen tonight, happens tonight. :-)

Well, good luck!! I confess that I'm bored stiff at work today and I'd rather be just about anywhere than here!

i confess that i am crazy turned on right now....... grrrr.....

Yes.. I confess I am somewhat participating in booby/boobie Friday! A shout out to jkandktmom...um..that is a good Friday picture.