Breeak Silence: Invisible Disabilities

Did you know that some disabilities can be invisible? I’ve always had a learning disability, and now a mental health disability, while living in San Francisco public housing. We must Break Silence on Invisible Disabilities and not judge only with our eyes. I have been a victim of a violent crime and now I have been a victim of a non-violent crime: I’ve been discriminated against under the Americans with Disabilities Act. I’ve been underserved because I appear to look “good” and healthy. I wish I could be safe, healthy, and feel good inside instead of looking good on the outside. “I’m just a dressed up mess,” I always say! I’ve had to jump through hoops as I navigated through services and health providers like food banks and mental health providers as I pursued my journey to health and wellness. I had to advocate for myself, for my healing and wellbeing.

I plead to service providers and my community to take time to understand and be more compassionate of invisible disabilities. Let’s all get educated on the ADA laws and provide great service to all.

-- Ms. D. Gigante

Paratransit Frustration

     I use Paratransit because my legs give out unexpectedly due to spinal stenosis and I use a wheelchair. I also have diabetes and have to take medicine at prescribed times every day.
     Even though I schedule my rides one week in advance and ask for a time one to two hours before I need to arrive, they put me as an "add on". Sometimes, they send a car after I have told the dispatcher that I am in a wheelchair and need a van. I have been picked up late and left sitting outside without notice many times. For example, on August 29, 2018, I was scheduled to be picked up at home at 4 o'clock. After waiting, I called dispatch and they said I would have a one and a half hour wait due to traffic and a ballgame. I missed my scheduled appointment. On August 8, 2018, I was left stranded at Civic Center for two and a half hours. Finally, I took Muni home, which was very difficult in an electric wheelchair, and I missed my diabetes medication.
     This week, I had two conversations with a supervisor at Paratransit. On September 10th, he was very nice and understanding when I told him about my bad experiences with Paratransit. He said he would send me information about taxis for people with wheelchairs, On September 12th, I called him again when my ride was 45 minutes late. He provided me with three van taxi numbers. When I called them, one number was disconnected, one number went straight to voice mail, the third number answered and he said he would call back in 4 minutes. He called back two hours later and said he was sorry he forgot to call back. He was in the South Bay and unavailable to pick up.
     Several Paratransit drivers I know have quit because of poor management. They have specific complaints about someone in management. Most, but not all, of the people who take reservations are rude. Some are polite and compassionate, but that is very seldom.
     Something needs to be done at the 12th street office! I am crying out for help, for the mayor to look into this matter because we, as passengers, need service. I am not just asking for myself, but for people all over San Francisco to get to their appointments and home so they can get their medication. Paratransit has no conscience about their passengers and feels it's okay to provide bad service when it is not.

-- Theresa