I attended the Barack Obama rally Thursday, and I encountered some problems that I think should be heard by the public.
I showed up to the rally at about 9 a.m. with a friend of mine, and I was concerned about accessible seating for me because I am in a wheelchair. I was told by the Obama volunteers they would escort me and my friend to the wheelchair seating area where I would not have trouble seeing. I was worried about this because not only am I in a wheelchair, I am quite short. The volunteers were wonderful about getting us to the area, and we found our seats at about 11:45 a.m. We sat in this place because I could see very well and other people had not moved in front of me. As the time came closer to when Obama was going to take the stage, many people got up from their seats in the accessible area and were standing directly in front of me. I’m not sure why they were being so obviously rude, but what concerns me more is they were standing. This was an area designated for wheelchairs and special needs only.
By the time the reverend took the stage to lead us in prayer, I could see nothing. I repeatedly asked people to move because I could not stand up like them to see. The only response I got from them was “shut up.” The volunteers tried to move them, but they were unsuccessful. I was forced out of the seat I took almost three hours prior because people were standing up in front of me in the wheelchair designated area. This makes no sense to me, and I feel I should not have been treated in such a way.
I understand people were excited to see him — I was too. But this is my point: Those people got to see him. If I had not moved, I would have been trampled, and I am not being overly dramatic. There were some people even leaning on my wheelchair and using it as a knee rest.
I left the rally feeling quite upset and sad that people would take advantage of someone who couldn’t walk in such an obvious way.
I hope in the future people will try to understand why events like these designate areas for special needs people. Perhaps Obama’s Michigan campaign offices will try to rectify this for when he returns to Michigan. I don’t want this to happen to someone else. I still feel mortified and disgusted.
From personal experience, at 27 years old, it’s horrible, and I felt worthless after leaving the rally.
Ananda Simmons
Okemos resident and Ferris State University graduate
Support student media!
Please consider donating to The State News and help fund the future of journalism.
Discussion
Share and discuss “Rally participants should be considerate of special needs” on social media.
