Accessibility for all!

I personally have been affected physically because of my MS(multiple sclerosis). I have had numbness in my extremities due to my MS since the age of 16 years old. At the age of 19 my right hand was completely paralyzed for 4 months. I was unable to write, hold small change or even doing usual things using my right hand. I unfortunately was unable to go to university that year which was 1985 so I worked as a cashier initially at McDonald's in the drive through and my colleagues would assist me writing grill slips for orders that had exemptions and then once my hand improved(about 4 months) I worked at Shopper's Drug Mart and eventually was the head cashier. Going to university was my dream to become a teacher.

Summer eventually arrived and my hand totally improved. I then worked at Sears warehouse in Rexdale fulltime over the summer and then continued working there for saving my money for the following school year again to actualize my dream of becoming a teacher. I never focused on my disability and just worked towards making my dream become a reality. I took two buses to get to Sears warehouse from where I lived.

I was very fortunate as my right hand improved and was able to get to university the following year. So I applied to York university as an undergrad for the first year and then applied to the concurrent program in the faculty of Education and was able to actualize my dream.

I was not even thinking about my disability and just needed to go forward and do well in school because eventually become the teacher I dreamed about. I continued taking the bus to York University which was close to where I was living with my parents.

It took me 5 years in the Faculty Ed in the concurrent program. I could take the Pioneer Village bus which was a 10 min was from my house to get to York University.

I continued working at Sears part time while at school and then got full time summer hours to make money for tuition.

Today, I am close to retirement and am still dependent on ttc to get around . I did drive when I worked as a high school English and French teacher and then eventually as a Guidance Counsellor but my MS has progressed so I no longer drive. I am dependent on wheel trans now with may connecting buses.

I no longer have balance due to my MS . I am very dependent on my rans help connecting buses and do require benches to sit on in the transit areas as well as public washrooms.

MS is a progressive disease for which they do not know the cause so of course they cannot work on an cure.

In the meantime at least I can get around with buses for which I am most grateful.

Theresa Anderson