September 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the opinion that appeared in your column on Friday, September 1, 2006 that was directed at me by the author Frustrated in Paget.

Frustrated in Paget voiced concern over the parking of my car along Parliament Street on a seemingly daily basis. While I would not normally have responded to the tirade, I believe that the opportunity has presented itself to raise the issue of disabled parking and overall accessibility in Bermuda.

Although I was born with a disability, I have always striven to live as independent a life as possible. My limited ability to walk is aided by my use of a motorised scooter. Recently, I acquired a wheelchair accessible van for the purpose of living independently to raise my family, pursue my career and lead an active role in the welfare of my country.

My vehicle is equipped with a side ramp and, due to this special modification, it is extremely difficult to find parking within the city of Hamilton. In fact, within the entire city, there are only four disabled parking bays which would accommodate my car.

In the early part of this year, I raised the issue of the limited parking with the Corporation of Hamilton. As an interim measure, while they consider a resolution to the situation, they have permitted me to park on the street providing that I display the appropriate number of parking vouchers along with my disabled parking permit.

So while the author remains frustrated over the parking within the city, note that at least he/she has a plethora of options to choose, unlike some of us.

Lastly, as the author is frustrated and appears so quick to put pen to paper, I remain hopeful that the author would utilise their free time to write to any official, business, restaurant, school, church, recreation facility, hotel, etc. and encourage them to ensure access for all.

MS BDA

Lisa M. Lister Currin

Chairman, Committee for a National Policy on Disabilities

September 1, 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like to respond to Frustrated in Paget whose letter appeared in today?s . He/she mentioned that the driver of the car Ms BDA parks it for hours on end in one spot with numerous parking vouchers displayed. If Frustrated in Paget had taken the time to find out why this car is parked where it is on a daily basis she would have learned that the driver is a beautiful young lady who is physically challenged.

The vehicle is a special wheelchair accessible car designed specifically for her and provides the type of independence that she otherwise would not have. Given her physical challenges, which by no means does she use as an excuse, I am sure it is difficult for her to leave work hourly to move her vehicle.

The letter writer, had he/she taken the time, would also have learned that this young mother and wife is a government employee and does not under any circumstance ask for special consideration or demand privileges that able-bodied people take for granted. Knowing this young lady, as I do, I?m sure she would politely ask all those who do not suffer from physical infirmity not to park in designated handicapped spaces which, in turn, will allow her easier access to places that may otherwise be difficult for her to get to.

I, on the other hand, will not be as polite. I would demand that those who stop for ?just a second? to run into the shop to pick up something not park in these handicapped designated spaces. Unless you have been seated in a wheel chair you do not know the frustration of not being able to get into a building because of one step, not being able to go to work today because the elevator is broken or not being able to buy a cup of coffee because there is no where appropriate to park. In the future carefully consider where you park and allow enough space for those with physical challenges to use what has been rightly designated for them.

I?ve had my rant for the day and now back to Frustrated in Paget. I suggest the next time you see Ms BDA?s car parked for hours at a time in the same spot you remember this missive and be grateful for the ability TO walk to your destination regardless of how far away you had to park.

ADERONKE BADEMOSI WILSON

City of Hamilton

September 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am not often compelled to respond to letters printed in your column but the letter authored by ?Frustrated in Paget? which appeared in Friday?s (September 1) column directed to the owner of the vehicle MS BDA moves me to action.

Like the writer of this letter, I would reasonably expect that the owner of the vehicle is too frustrated. Frustrated that for reasons known only by God, she was born with a physical disability that gives only limited use of her legs. Frustrated that most of her awake time is spent in a wheelchair. Frustrated that she is unable to run after her two beautiful children at Botanical Gardens or on the beautiful shoreline of Horseshoe Bay. Frustrated that she cannot physically take her own children to Sunday School lessons in the basement of her parish church. Frustrated that our society continues to equate mental ability with physical ability. Frustrated that grocery stores, retail stores, churches and developers fail to provide adequate restroom and shopping accessibility. Frustrated that unfettered sidewalk access is considered a ?nice to have? rather than a ?must have? for those dependent on two wheels rather than two legs. Frustrated that no, she cannot park her car at Masters Bulls Head and ?walk? to the office. Frustrated that she had to pay so much for a specially equipped car in the first place! Frustrated that the author of this letter totally ignored the big bold red sticker of her bottom left windshield which reads ?Disabled Parking Permit?, but rather focused on the small print on the back of one of the four vouchers displayed.

Dear Sir, might I suggest that Frustrated in Paget, channel this same frustration and literary eloquence by writing to the Corporation of Hamilton, the banks, insurance companies, shops, and developers to lobby for improved access to public facilities with the required parking accommodation required by those who would like to lead productive and independent lives. I personally commend Lisa Currin for all that she is and all that she is able to do. She is a true champion and an excellent role model for all.

I, sir, am extremely disappointed and likewise frustrated by the attitude exhibited by this writer, a writer so obviously conflicted by a number of other issues. Should the day ever come in this Bermuda that we are not supportive, encouraging and motivated by people like MS BDA ? especially those that are uniquely challenged ? God help us all!

B R TANNOCK

Southampton

September 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

Bermuda is a democracy (democracy: government by ALL the people), which has civil servants who are employees of the Civil Service. (definition of civil: polite and obliging, definition of service: department of people employed by the crown or public, act of serving).

We the people of Bermuda elect our government, who essentially work for us the people. They the civil servants should be polite and obliging to the people. As for Sustainable Development (definition of Sustainable: support, keep alive, uphold and logical), the Government plainly needs to be logical about Bermuda?s fast depleting green space.

We the people have every right, to question and disagree and even fight decisions made by our elected government. Our Government was elected by the people and can be dethroned by the people. We the people pay our elected officials and they are working for us (supposedly), therefore we the people should be consulted on major issues such as Independence and building on our limited green space, ie: the hospital at the Botanical Gardens, which is reserved for us and future generations to enjoy. The professionals at National Trust are there to help protect our treasures and should be listened to. They understand the long term effects.

Don?t let anyone kid you, people of Bermuda, the land that the hospital now sits on will be brown space, not green space, when it is torn down and it will take many many years before we can call if green space. Just look at the Marsh Folly dump! One solution would be to replace the original hospital site with the new hospital and renovate the present hospital.

Speak up Bermudians, I implore you, don?t sit back and cry and bemoan, we have the power, we just have to use it collectively.

JEANNE LEGERE

Pembroke

August 25, 2006

Dear Sir,

I refer to the above letter to the Editor, which appeared on page four of the Royal Gazette dated 25th August 2006. Please be informed that the Minister of the Environment, the Hon. D. Neletha I. Butterfield, JP, MP, was off island on vacation and therefore unavailable to attend the 22nd August 2006 public meeting at which Theme 3 (Protecting and Enhancing our Natural Resources and Environment) of the draft Sustainable Development Strategy and Implementation Plan for Bermuda was discussed.

However, it should be noted that Dr. Tom Sleeter, Director of the Department of Environment Protection, and Julie Marshall, Acting Director of Forward Planning, did attend the meeting on behalf of the Ministry of the Environment.