THESE ARE THE TIMES…

These are the times that try men’s souls
In the course of our nation’s history
The people of Boston have rallied bravely
Whenever the rights of men have been threatened

Today a new crisis has arisen
The Metropolitan Transit Authority, better known as the MTA
Is attempting to levy a burden on the disabled citizens
In the form of too many inaccessible stops
Citizens, hear me out, this could happen to you!

Verse 1:

Well, let me tell you of the story of a man named Moeschen on a tragic and fateful day.
He put a hundred in his pocket, took his wife and family, went to ride on the M. T. A.
Chorus:
Well, did they ever return? No, they never returned and their fate is still unlearned.
He may ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston. His family never returned.

Moeschen handed in his cash at the Kendall Square Station, but the elevator was broken.
When he got there the conductor told him, “Sorry, you’re disabled.” Moeschen couldn’t get off at that stop. Or the next one, or the many that have no elevator. HELP.

(sing chorus)

Now, all night long Moeschen rides through the stations, crying, “What will become of me?!!
How can I get out to see Donelle in Brookline or my buddies in Roxbury?”

(sing chorus)

Moeschen’s wife goes down to the Sculley Square Station every day at quarter past two,
And through the open window she hands Moeschen a sandwich as the train comes rumblin’ through.

(sing chorus)

Now, disabled citizens of Boston, don’t you think it’s a scandal how the abled get to play and play?
Fight the stair increase! Vote for anybody who will help Moeschen and the poor M. T. A.

(sing chorus)

Moeschen’s the man who never returned. He’s the man who never returned. Ain’t you Moeschen too?

---

Right, so if you have no idea what you just read, look up the original song HERE and sing along. Item number 4323 of what’s wrong with the abled world: I am aware that the Boston subway is more than 100 years old. I don’t care. The lack of accessibility is alarming and I just thought everyone reading this would like to know that it’s another one of my battles. Interestingly enough, since I don’t vote in Massachusetts, the lawmakers don’t listen too hard. But they are listening to many people working with and for the Boston Center for Independent Living.

Also, as I stand on my little disability soapbox, anyone who reads me knows that I am a big proponent of making airline travel better for the disabled community. Recently, the Dept. of Justice sent a loud signal to American Airlines that the damage sustained to wheelchairs and other mobility equipment is not cool. The airline was fined $50 million….

As part of the $50 million penalty, American Airlines will be required to pay a $25 million fine to the U.S. Treasury. In addition, American Airlines will be credited $25 million towards the total penalty for investments in equipment to reduce incidents of wheelchair damage, investments in a systemwide wheelchair tagging system to reduce incidents of wheelchair delay, deployment of hub control center employees to coordinate wheelchair handling on a systemwide basis at large airports, and compensation for affected passengers during the timeframe covered by DOT’s investigation. If these expenditures are not made, the additional $25 million will be paid as a fine to the U.S. Treasury. 

As Ice Cube once sang: “Today was a good day.”

I’ll see you on the Boston MTA. Green line to Fenway Park please….oh wait, there are stairs….

Stay safe, stay awesome, and stay tuned.