When Accessibility Becomes a Question of “Why Bother?”

Debi Wilson avatar

by Debi Wilson |

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wheelchair accessibility issues

Faith of the Mustard Seed

My first encounter with “Why bother?” was in 2011. My whole family had met in Maui to celebrate my daughter Amber’s wedding.

It also was my first travel since my 2010 primary progressive multiple sclerosis diagnosis, and my first trip with a wheelchair.

I didn’t realize when you fly with a wheelchair that you get preferential treatment. I was taken unexpectedly from the lobby, wheeled straight to the door of the airplane and seated first. The airline also moved us closer to the front of the plane for an easier entrance and exit. I felt like a VIP!

Amber’s wedding was beautiful. It was on a beach with white, shimmering sand. Even though walking in the sand was a challenge and the intense heat was oven-like, I was so happy to be there.

After the wedding we had a few days to explore the island. One day my oldest son, Brandon, my husband and I traveled the road to Hana. It is a very popular tourist attraction in Maui. It is a 64.37-mile winding road with incredible views and interesting stops along the way.

That brings me to my first “Why bother?” incident. One of the attractions we stopped at is called “Pools of Ohe’o” (aka “The seven sacred pools”). From their website it shows beautiful pictures of waterfalls and mirrored reflective pools of water. It sounded and looked incredible, and I was excited to see it.

We entered the parking lot and there were many handicap-designated parking spaces. I also noticed there was a small information center.

Not Feasible? Why Bother?

We opted to head straight for the pools. The clearing to the entrance was very bumpy. I felt like I was four- wheeling in my wheelchair.

I was surprised because I had seen so many handicap parking spaces, yet they had no paved trails for accessibility to the main attraction.

My husband maneuvered me over this lunar crater terrain for probably 10 minutes. At the same time my son Brandon went to find a park ranger.

The ranger was friendly, yet he seemed perplexed with the idea of how to get a handicapped person to a view of the pools. He said it just wasn’t feasible.

I told Brandon and my husband that I would wait for them as they checked out the view. My husband opted to wait with me and my son went ahead to let us know what we were missing.

When Brandon returned he said it was pretty much as pictured on the website, and that I didn’t miss much. I felt he was softening the blow because I was not able to see it for myself.

Brandon also said something I will never forget. He said “Just put this on your list as a ‘Why bother?’ under the name “The Seven Sacred Scams!” It was so funny.

I am now much more handicapped savvy and plan ahead for accessibility issues before I leave the house.

It can be so frustrating to be denied access to something I want to see or do. But it helps to ease the frustration if I utter Brandon’s words, which always make me smile: “Why bother?”

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.

ayala assaf avatar

ayala assaf

It touched :)
Thank you Debi

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Debi avatar

Debi

Thank-you Ayala:)

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reli-Abilities avatar

reli-Abilities

I also was diagnosed with MS and have been an Advocate for those who are disabled for about 15 years, well before the Dx of MS. I have assisted in resolving of 200 formal complaints via the MA AAB 521CMR regulations. Those who are disabled including MS warriors, are not your insperation. We are here to live, work and play in the communities along with our families and friends

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Debi avatar

Debi

Well said reli-Abilities! Thank you for your work and your comments!

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Lisa Scroggins avatar

Lisa Scroggins

I wish I shared your "why bother" attitude, but it makes me angry. Recently, I tried to have an inadequate parking solution addressed at a business that I frequent. It was kind of fixed, but not completely. Since enforcement of the ADA is left to the states, whether or not an issue is truly in compliance is hit or miss. It's been the biggest, most cruel reality for me since leaving my job on disability 3 years ago. I can hardly believe this is the state of things, more than 20 years after passage of the ADA.

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reli-Abilities avatar

reli-Abilities

The signing of the ADA July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush put the burden of enforcement onto the backs of the Disabled and in doing so, washed the Federal Government and the States hands of the enforcement factor until an Advocate or an individual who is disabled files a complaint. It was set up to be that way from the start. States only assign someone with the label ADA Coordinator and towns/cities do the same but often the person assigned this label doesn't know what the laws are and how to determine if an individual has been discriminated against. Its all on the backs of those who are disabled

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Debi Wilson avatar

Debi Wilson

I totally understand Lisa,it can be very frustrating! Good for you for addressing it with the business that you frequent!

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Rhonda Danielson avatar

Rhonda Danielson

Debi, nice piece. This is a good reminder that just because some place is "handicapped accessible" does not mean it is wheelchair accessible. Maybe with either the assistance of an Ekso Bionic or Rewalk exoskeleton or a Keeogo dermaskeleton you will be able to go back and revisit those springs and get to experience them first hand.

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Debi Wilson avatar

Debi Wilson

Thank-you Rhonda!:)

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Annette Harmanis avatar

Annette Harmanis

Love the 'Why bother'that's been my saying for a while.I am in WC as well with SPMS.dx 16 years ago.If I want to somewhere we haven't been before,my husband makes me call where we are going & "interrogate" the people about all those accessible issues,hence usually I can 'why bother' at home.
I live in Sydney Australia.In most tourist places they are well organised for WCs but we are not as accessible to all yet.You are more advanced in the USA than us.Thanks for your story I enjoyed reading it
Annette

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Debi avatar

Debi

Thank-you Annette!:)

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