In the world of anyone with a disability, or the differently-abled, there are always increased challenges. Many people have disabilities, some obvious, some not as obvious, that don’t impact their daily lives. I am one whose disability affects my day-to-day life. I have a rare form of muscular dystrophy. I can walk, but walking long distances–like over 100 yards–is very tiring. That is why, for my four years here at Andrews, I will have a mobility scooter.
This scooter makes things much easier for me. I don’t have to walk any long distances while using this scooter and I have to get into buildings a different way; however, getting into buildings has its challenges. For one, not all of the buildings have a handicap button that automatically opens the door. I wish that the dorm had some way they could have this button; as sometimes there is no one to open the side door for me. I think the most perplexing thing about getting into buildings is the way Nethery Hall entrance is set up. This is where the disability department is located and the ramp is such an odd shape. Sometimes it’s hard to get my big, bulky mobility scooter in the door without feeling like I am about to roll down the front steps. However, I will say that Kristine Walker-Fraser, Associate Director of Student Intervention Coordinator/Disability Services Coordinator, does a wonderful job at ensuring that my needs are met and that I am comfortable in my environment.
Having to go through the back ways in the library and science complex is hard sometimes, especially when I have a class to go to in the science complex. My teachers have been very accommodating for me if I am accidentally late for a class and everyone in the dorm and other buildings have been so helpful in opening the doors for me. I believe the sidewalks are the most difficult thing (and I am sure the skateboarders can attest to this). Sometimes the cracks in the sidewalks are so big that my scooter will get stuck and just stop. It very easily gets back up and running, but it is still a dent in my journey to a particular destination. I always have to find a particular place to park my scooter to shelter it from the rain (and snow). Usually, it is just in the hallway. For work, I have made special arrangements to park it in the garage attached to my job. The two most accommodating buildings on the campus are the cafeteria and Buller Hall. They both have wonderful buttons that open the doors and make it easy for me to drive right in. Fortunately, I visit these two buildings the most.
Overall, 老司机传媒, while they have some work to do, has done a pretty good job at making things as handicap accessible as they can be. Some of the buildings are an odd shape and I am sure it was hard to think where an accessible entrance would be. Nevertheless, each building has easy (although sometimes tedious) points of entry for those that cannot climb stairs. Almost all of the elevators are very nice and easy to access. The Science Complex is the only elevator that I get a little scared riding; as it sways a little and had two spiders in it (whom I fondly named Freddie and Eddie but who have now passed away). I commend 老司机传媒 for their continued support for me and my disability and I look forward to seeing the progress that can be made to make this campus the most accommodating place it can be.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.