Lizzie, your lack of self-control is totally counterproductive. Read and learn.

I am currently dealing with a recalcitrant bureaucracy regarding public transportation that I need. I am unable to walk and must use a wheelchair. I am also unable to transfer from my wheelchair to and from an automobile because of the difference in heights between the seat of the wheelchair and the seats of the auto. So—a good alternative that the county in which I live offers to disabled people who qualify (show a genuine need for the service) are a fleet of vans with wheelchair lifts and tie-downs, driven by qualified drivers. This is a service mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires that public transportation be available to the disabled, as well as a number of other things, such as public buildings, theaters, etc, be wheelchair accessible.

I used the "Metro Access" van service for several years. I call a day or two in advance and schedule a ride to an appointment, and another ride home again. I found it very convenient, as did others who qualified for and used the service.

A few months ago, they began disqualifying people, or at least requiring them to come in for an interview and demonstrate that they actually needed the service. There were two reasons for this. First, there were a lot of people with minor disabilities who where perfectly capable of taking regular public transportation who were using the Metro Access van service for their personal buses. AND—due to budget deficits, they are trying to reduce the cost of the service, hence the service itself.

I was one of those disqualified.

So I scheduled an interview. They determined that I was not senile and could understand a bus schedule. And that I could, indeed, use the wheelchair lifts that the city buses are equipped with. So—on that basis, they decided that I didn't need the van service, I could ride regular public transportation.

This totally ignores the fact that, of the two bus stops nearest to where I live, one is five blocks away and down a dangerously steep hill, if one happens to be in a wheelchair. The other is four blocks away in the other direction: up a hill which is not quite as steep, but it is far too steep for me to push myself in my wheelchair. My arms and shoulders are simple not up to that.

Rather that yell and swear at those who told me that I didn't qualify for the service, I fixed the person sternly in the eyes and asked if there was an appeal process. She said there was. I needed to write a letter detailing my reasons why I disagreed with their judgment. Very well, annoying, but easy enough to do. I told her that that is exactly what I will do.

If that fails and I am still denied, I will, again, not shout and scream and make threats, I will contact the county council. The Metro van service us under their jurisdiction. If that fails to get action, I will contact my local state legislator—who happens to go to the same church that my wife does. I can carry that up the ladder if need be, contact my national Congressional Representative (Jim McDermott) and inform him that King County may be in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (McDermott is a fierce people's advocate and is a member of the House Ethics Committee).

Someplace along the line (depending on the responses I get) I may very well contact the newspapers and a few of my local television news departments. They all have "consumer protection" departments, and they're all looking for a good crusade.

I know that I will prevail, and within a few weeks, I will have the Metro Access van service available to me.

Feel your anger, yes! It can give you the energy to bring about what you know is right. But—yelling, screaming, and swearing at those whose help you are going to need, whether they want to do it or not will accomplish nothing except to convince them, and others, that you are simply a nasty-tempered nut-case.

Cool it! Use you head!

Don Firth