It only matters when it affects you.
Several years ago before New York City mandated access ramps
for the disabled, carriages, etc., I lived in a co-op that was renovating the
entry and lobby. The entryway had about three steps to access the lobby and the
only way for residents in wheel chairs, on walkers or crutches and moms with
baby carriages could navigate the stairs was with the doormen physically
lifting the chairs/and/or carriages. The
fact that this was against the union rules because the men might hurt
themselves was of no issue to the residents and the doormen did this on a daily
basis.
The question before the Board of Directors, in addition to
the design and cost of the renovation was: “Should we install a ramp? After endless discussion (board issues are
typically endlessly discussed), some thought it a fine idea, others did not. The
cost was negligible but they didn’t have to do it because the ordinance was not
yet in effect
So refusing to make a decision, they decided to take a vote
of all the shareholders. A memo was dispatched and the results tallied. The ramp lost which frankly amazed me. Where
was the compassion of all my fellow shareholders? Obviously non-existent. Of course those who had this problem voted
yea as did empathetic others but the vast majority nixed it.
Now there was an older couple living in the building that I
occasionally saw either in the lobby or neighborhood. I jokingly referred to
the wife as “The Hat Lady” because no matter the season, she always wore a hat
and high heels if only to cross the street to the local D’Agostino’s. Her
husband seemed like a nice fellow in good health.
Then one evening returning from
work, I saw the doorman lift a wheelchair down the steps. In it was the husband. As I watched the
doorman struggle with the wheel chair, I casually said to The Hat Lady: “Isn’t it too bad the residents voted against
the ramp?” Her response?
“If I had only known then.”
It’s an old story. It’s only important if it affects me.
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