I first got involved in advocacy when [my son] Michael’s school refused to install a wheelchair lift. I visited a building with a platform lift that folded at the top of a landing when not in use. I spoke to contractors, got estimates, and figured out an ideal spot for it. Even though it required a long legal battle, we finally got a lift installed. I know that we made a difference in the community because, today, all sorts of students with injuries and disabilities use the lift. We also were able to start a new policy in the school system so that no student could be discriminated against because of his/her disability.

-patient advocate