I was sorry to see the article "MTA Mobility program criticized" (Feb. 25). It is such a great and worthwhile program that should be commended.
I suffered a severe stroke in June 2009. I spent one month in the intensive care unit and five months in a rehabilitation hospital. I have spent many more months in out-patient rehabilitation, but despite all this work I am unable to drive yet. I can walk short distances but certainly not several blocks to a bus stop.
I have been a mobility rider for just a few weeks, but it has made a dramatic difference in my life. I have been able to start a research study at the Baltimore VA Medical Center. I have applied for jobs and expect to use the mobility service to travel to my interviews and eventually to and from my job. I am slowly starting to feel like a productive member of society again.
If that was all I got out of this that would be enough. But I hope to achieve even more, a job, income to provide for my children's college, income that will be able to replace my disability income, income that will be taxed to provide funds for other worthwhile causes like Mobility, VA hospitals, scientific research and other things governments do.
I am sorry that some people misuse government services. I have not run into that yet while using Mobility. It is a great service that is allowing me to volunteer for research, obtain a job and return to some bit of normalcy after years of being the disabled guy. So, fix Mobility where it needs it but preserve it's function as it is a very necessary public service. Keep up the great job!
Dean Tippett, Catonsville