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Advocate for the oppressed

Editor: I recently met a lovely lady who requires a wheelchair and relies on public transit for transportation.

Editor:

I recently met a lovely lady who requires a wheelchair and relies on public transit for transportation.

She shared that some bus drivers:

a) Don’t stop for her because, I guess, they are too lazy to take the time to get out of the driver’s seat and do what’s necessary to assist her?

b) For all intents and purposes, kidnap her by not stopping to let her off when she asks; and/or

c) Bully her and say horrible things about her and her size.

Please, if you see this, report it.

She is afraid to do so because, in the past, it has either not done a thing to see changes and/or simply to add insult to injury, has made things worse by labelling her as a squeaky wheel/complainer/troublemaker.

This saddens me and should disgust us all.

My brother is a city bus driver in Ontario, and I am sure he would never behave this way but rather be one of the drivers who is respectful and does his job.

So, there are two things we can do:

1) Report unacceptable behaviour when you witness it; and

2) Report exceptional behaviour, so those who are good people and deserve accolades – as drivers get bullied/punched/verbally assaulted and you name it also – are recognized and given the shifts.

Too often people turn a blind eye and ignore. If you want to see a change in this world it takes all of us to advocate, advocate, advocate!

Our world is an inclusive world, be proud and quash the negativity and unacceptable behaviour!

Lisa Batstone, Surrey