Amy, TX paraplegic
Amy grew up in a small town. At age seven, she was in a freak car accident that left her paraplegic. “My hand brushed against my leg, and I realized I couldn’t feel my hand touch my leg, and I just knew.” Despite her life-changing injury, Amy became extremely involved in wheelchair basketball and other recreational sports, traveled abroad, and became involved in local organizations. She later was accepted into Occupational Therapy (OT) school, “I am not an OT because I have a disability, but the fact that I have been able to help people in such a unique way, it has become a huge blessing… I feel very fortunate and very blessed to help others.” After becoming so active with the recreational sports, Amy met her husband who is wheelchair-bound as well. He became quadriplegic after a car accident when he was seventeen, “Between me and my husband, we have fifty years of mobility impairment.” They are a very active couple and enjoy going to bars, restaurants, and theaters. However, seating and navigation can be challenging, so she has learned to call ahead, “there may be one accessible table and usually it has a booth on one side and chairs on the other side, but heaven forbid there are two people in a wheelchair that are somewhere together.” Amy and others in similar situations have had to learn to adapt and function in society. She strongly believes that the environment makes her, and others disabled, “The environment is what’s disabling. I am able to move, but if you put obstacles in my way, I am no longer able to get through.” When speaking to Amy about the obstacles that are most difficult, she emphasizes that it varies tremendously for people with mobility impairments. However, some of the main issues her and her husband face are in retail spaces and public restrooms. Clothing stores are extremely tough to navigate since the aisles are so close together. The dressing rooms are often not accommodating, as the bench may be right in front of the mirror and not allow enough space for a wheelchair to be in front of the mirror. Because of this Amy says she no longer bothers trying on clothes in dressing rooms anymore. In regards, to restrooms, it is often difficult to reach the soap, faucets, or the paper towel dispensers that are across the depth of the countertop. The ADA stalls are not always as spacious as they need to be for some people. “The ADA says this grab bar needs to be right here, but this person who needs help standing and sitting needs it a different way than the person who just needs it for stability.” Despite all these challenges, Amy has learned a lot and has made connections with so many people that she otherwise would not have. “I wouldn’t change it to be honest with you, I have a passion for it.”
