August 2017

Finding the right college or university when you have a disability can be a daunting and overwhelming task, but don't fret! We've collected six of the best, most accessible schools here. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) has helped relieve a lot of worries, but it is important to know what awesome opportunities are available for those students with disabilities to maximize their college experience. Many colleges provide academic assistive programs, personal care assistants, transportation, and even adaptive sports teams!

I competed in wheelchair sports events ranging from basketball to table tennis to track for most of my life. I represented Hong Kong in the 1972 Paralympics and I represented Canada in the 1976, 1980, and 1984 Paralympics, earning silver medals in the table tennis event.

It was in that moment when I decided it was time. I am ready. I need to learn to drive, not only for the sake of all those wonderful cheeseburgers waiting, but for my own sake. My injury allows me a bit more independence than some, so what is stopping me? Absolutely nothing.

From being a social butterfly in college, to being named "Smiles" in rehab, I gained a new perspective on life that can be summed up by a Bruce H. Wilkinson quote: "People often feel that because they are afraid of something, they do not have the courage to conquer it. However, courage is not the absence of fear; rather it's choosing to act in spite of fear." The joy I've experienced as a result of conquering my fears has been incredible, and I no longer see myself as physically disabled, but physically able.

All too often, the mobility options that we know will make our lives easier are not covered by insurance or Medicare. This means paying cash out-of-pocket, and not everyone can afford that.