Naberadical, 72

Chronic pain, sciatica, central vision loss I could write a lot about disabled passions. I grew up in the SF East Bay area, and as such I grew up in a 'melting pot' of many sorts, culturally, ethnically, and it has also been a magnet for disabled persons of all sorts. The Berkeley Center for Independent Living is very diverse in its appeal to the disabled community. I drove public transit in Alameda and Contra Costa counties for years until my own disabilities caused me to prematurely retire. I have progressive myopia, and my maculas tore on two separate occasions about a year apart while driving for AC Transit. Both times there was an abrupt, repeated jarring and violent vertical movement of the coach with the resultant eye damage, and spinal compressiona nd herniation of 4-5 discs as well. I have chronic sciatica, and ulnar neuropathy, and recurrent lower back problems now, generically referred to by doctors as 'degenerative spinal disease', so I have disabilities in a number of areas, largely neurological. My ex-wife was diagnosed with MS after our divorce. I still love her and try to keep up on developments for many potential cures and innovations for dealing with different disabilities. As a transit operator, many of my passengers were disabled, some of whome became very close friends. I hve been active in 12-step recovery for well over 20 years now, and some of the meetings I helped form almost 20 years ago now have ASL interpreters, and most meetings I know of these days are wheelchair-accessible. I am a vocal advocate of accessibility for the disabled!