Notes

You wanted me to write you a piece on living with a disability and equity.

Here goes. I was born missing parts of my legs that allowed me to walk properly including: bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. I was born with a large estimated leg length difference (about 10cm), only 3 toes on each foot, my right foot rotated 180 degrees, and the total absence of the fibula bone in my right leg. This proposed a lot of challenges to me in life that I faced head on. I have recently had an amputation (Summer 2014) because the surgeons did the best they could to help me walk but after 18 years the best choice for my future.

Being disabled my entire life has made me who I am today but it is not a "walk" in the park. I have had battles with amusement parks, government funding, schools, airports, public transportation and simply getting around the community.

One specific story that stands out to me with the words "disability" and "injustice" is my most recent experience at an amusement park. If you didn't know, most amusement parks allow patrons with a genuine disability, to get a pass that lets them use the exit of the ride as an entrance. This is for two reasons. One, the entrances of rides are usually designed for people to stand single file and/or walk up stairs so they are too narrow or inaccessible for a wheelchair or walker user. This can also be challenging for individuals with a developmental or behavioral disability to stand in the hot sun in a crowd of people. The second reason being that, due to certain disabilities, waiting in line for an hour is not practical or achievable for a number of reasons. I got my pass and was not wearing my prosthetic leg because I was sore that day. The man explained that without a prosthetic I could ride a selection of about 15 rides in the whole park. With the prosthetic on I was only allowed to ride a small fraction of that original amount. This list got smaller once I looked at it as I didn't go on children's rides or anything that spun. I only wanted to go on one ride, and the sheet said I could do it as long as I had no artifical leg attached me my limb. I showed up at the ride very excited I could go on. I went up the elevator and waited to get on the ride promptly. I got in and buckled myself in with all of my family members on each side of me. It was then that a man that worked there told me I needed to get off. He said I could go on the next one. So I obeyed. I was disappointed I couldn't ride with my family and a bit humiliated as the crowd of people saw me get escorted off as I hopped to the exit. My parents were with me and looked confused. We all were told this was not going to be a problem. Before I continue I will say that my brother has Cerebral Palsy (a disability that affects all four of his limbs and his balance). I was told that if I wanted to ride this coaster I needed to wear a special harness. Why? Because the lap bar and seat belt were not enough. I reluctantly said that was fine. But then they inform me they do not know where this harness is. At this point my siblings are all off of the ride and I am sitting on the sidelines. My father requested to speak to the manager. He came and explained that due to the absence of my leg I do not have the same center of gravity as the other riders. So there was no harness to be found and my brother who can't stand up on his own had already enjoyed the ride. I also pointed out to the manager that I had more limits before my amputation and I was allowed to ride with no restrictions.