Perhaps you will take a moment to consider language that reflects negative attitudes about wheelchairs. Unless Ms Sweeney-Martini is actually tied down onto her wheelchair, she is not 'wheelchair-bound.' Many of us who ride power wheelchairs harbor the same regard for our chairs as you do for your favorite car, or your first car. Because of our wheels, we are free and independent, we may go where we please, when we please - and we love the wind in our hair. My chair goes faster than most people can run. And many people who use voice recognition software are quite proficient, and are able to compose more rapidly than the fastest sighted typist. Practice makes perfect.

States vary widely in their supports for people with disabilities. Some states have deep networks of support for people with disabilities, others offer few options outside of nursing homes. So it is difficult to extrapolate from the experience of one person in one place to assumptions about barriers to access for all.

Our civil rights legislation, the ADA is 18 years old this year. We continue on our journey to equal rights, and equal access to the American dream.