Good Afternooon

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Good afternoon. On this day, many years ago, I attended a skills for independent living camp. On this particular day, we had taken a field trip to Metro Headquarters at Judiciary Square to get our reduced fare cards, which enabled people with disabilities to get discounts on their metro fare. What started out as a very exciting trip to DC on the Metro independently with a great group of people soon became much more of an adventure very quickly. After I exited the train, I thought I was going toward the ramp. Due to my significant visual perception challenges, I accidentally took a wrong turn and fell in my power wheelchair down the stairs at Metro Headquarters. My friend and therapist, Ms. Barber who ran the camp, was mad as a wet hen with Metro! She and the many other teachers were very concerned about me. By the grace of the Lord Jesus, I was protected from serious injury or worse. I had my seatbelt and my tray on and miraculously was still in my wheelchair when I landed at the bottom of the stairs! The Lord is faithful and good! I totaled my wheelchair and metro replaced it. I was in some pain and my only injury was a fractured shoulder. Metro also paid for many months of PT which my friend Carol who was my PT provided for me. The signage and accessibility of the metro system for people with disabilities has been abysmal. I hope the accessibility and support of people with disabilities who utilize WMATA has improved due to my experience.