Kim from California

How has the ADA impacted your life regarding travel/mobility, education, employment, or any other aspect?

My ‘ADA’ has changed my life in an utterly unfathomable way. I lost my job, my home, my car, my career license and subsequently everything and everyone. It is a struggle to find a doctor who will see, me treat me, and take me seriously. I’ve had to find ways to medicate myself because I cannot find any help and that of course brings its own problems. I go weeks on end without a shower because I have no help. I am devastated and just about despondent! I have worked all my life. I would have loved the chance to get better and return to work. But for some unexplainable reason, I cannot find significant medical care for my debilitating problem.

Can you share a “before and after” experience; e.g., before the ADA I couldn’t do X or was denied access to Y, and thanks to the ADA I can do Z.

I unfortunately do not have such a statement at this time. But the CA board of RN revoked my license simply because of my disability! That seems to be a discrimination to me.

What advances in disability rights would you like to see in the next 30 years?

Instead of placing people on long-term disability, offer help in all the necessary avenues to re-educate the disabled person and help them seek appropriate employment opportunities. Everyone should be able to work somewhere doing something!