| Donna was born with Cerebral Palsy (what is it?). She's cute as a button and loves to laugh, but she has lived with terrible hardship and pain. CP affects a persons muscular control. Donna has very little control of her arms, legs and hands, and she has some difficulty speaking. She must depend upon others for help with dressing, eating, bathing and other care. She had surgery on her right hip and must live with severe pain every day of her life. She cannot stand or walk, and she is spastic. Simple everyday tasks that most of us take for granted are very difficult or impossible for her to accomplish by herself. Just answering the phone, or trying to feed herself takes a great effort and can result in something spilled on herself or dropped on the floor. For many years she didn't have adequate transportation, and has spent too many lonely days at home alone. When she was working she had to travel to a bus stop almost a mile from her home in her wheelchair, with no protection from the pouring rain and freezing cold, crossing very busy intersections. She missed many days of work because of the weather. The weekends and holidays were horribly lonely for her. "I felt like I was in jail...like a bird trapped in a cage". "Nobody gave a (bleep) about me!" she says. Then she met Jim. He told her every day "You deserve a life!" Here is their story. |
| Donna and Jim fought with NJ Transit for over a year to get her approved to use the special bus service for the disabled(Access Link). For over four years she was denied any usable public transportation and had to go out alone in her power wheelchair with no protection from the rain and the cold. Nobody cared enough to help her. Even with service from Access Link the disabled must book a trip days in advance and then they often wait for over an hour when the bus is late for the scheduled pick-up. They arrive late for work or miss out on a movie or dinner appointment when the busses arrive late. Access Link refuses to improve the quality of their service. |
| About two years ago a horrible thing happened. The front wheels of Donna's power wheelchair got stuck on the railroad tracks one day when she was out traveling home from her job at the nursing home. If a passing motorist had not stopped and pushed her wheelchair off the tracks an unthinkable tragedy would have occurred. Still, no one stepped forward to make certain D. got transportation until she met Jim. Several persons who were supposed to be helping her were aware that she had to cross the tracks to get to work, yet no one cared enough to do anything about this dangerous situation. "When she called me on the phone the day she got stuck on the tracks, to tell me what happened, she was crying hysterically" Jim says. "I knew I had to do something to help." |
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| The disabled are often the neglected members of society. They want to be part of our world, but they are forced to sit at home alone or are isolated in workshops. "I DESERVE A LIFE" is a group of individuals dedicated to helping disabled adults find 'real' jobs and become active members of our communities. We are in the process of forming a non-profit corporation in the State of New Jersey to provide transportation to those whose disability prevents them from using public transportation. We are in need of legal assistance to help with the incorporation. If you would like to help you can reach us at the following e-mail address: james@ideservealife.org. |
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| Donna is often in severe pain. Her right hip socket was removed after she broke it in a fall, but as it now stands Medicare and Medicaid will not pay for all the services and equipment she needs. We are hoping to find a concerned physician and/or attorney who will help her fight for her rights. |
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| DONNA'S STORY |
| the daily struggle for accessibility |
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| Be sure to check our to read important updates on changes in Donna's life and additional commentary on living with a disability and other issues. Important new entry posted Feb. 19, 2007(please read)! And check out Donna's latest photos on Flickr |
| We had a bit of a miracle this week. Donna walked with the aide of her physical therapist today...05-13-05. Who said Friday the 13th is an unlucky day! This is the first time Donna has walked at all in over 25 years. Not bad for someone who has no hip socket in her right hip! Read more here. |
| New VIDEOS of Donna can now be viewed online here |