I have always been in awe of people who possess the enterprising spirit to climb mountains. Their adventure is about facing dangers and challenges with perseverance and courage. Those who have reached the summit describe it as exhilarating and life changing. 

Although I do not engage in actual mountaineering, I know this adventure and it’s risks well. For me, as a wheelchair user, a poorly constructed sidewalk curb or a ramp not built to code creates both danger and drama. Let me describe this “mountain”: I’m driving my wheelchair down the sidewalk. I reach a corner where the curb cut is not built to code or properly maintained. The front wheels of my chair get stuck in the broken concrete, and my entire chair tips forward. A further adventure and risk await me when a ramp is not built to the required specifications and has a steep slope. I start sliding and I can’t control my speed and if you add a little snow and ice… well, you get the picture. 

 These accessibility issues are  not unlike the mountain climber whose pick doesn’t take hold on the ice. The context may be different, but the result can sometimes  be the same: a life-or-death situation. 

Mountain climbing is an optional sport in our lives. If you are a person who uses a wheelchair, like me, navigating up and down sidewalk curbs and ramps is a daily necessity.

We can solve these problems and other accessibility barriers.  Seriously, we can. We created them in the first place. When our community is accessible, we all benefit and for some like me, reaching the summit can be life changing.