(WNCN 11-9-15)
By: Mike Gonzalez
"The irony of this for me is that barriers that I've encountered throughout life, have open doors for me that may of otherwise may not have presented themselves to me. I'm a proud father, I've met President Clinton, I met and became friends with General Norman Shwartzcoft, I've been in movies, commercials and done more photo-shoots as a fashion model than I can remember. Nationally ranked tennis player, starting point guard and team captain for the Miami Heat wheels, all this and much more, all because I refused to let barriers win!," said Ruiz.
And because he refused to lose Daniel Ruiz has won and so have millions of Americans across the country.
By: Mike Gonzalez
 |
| Danny Ruiz has been fighting for more than 30 years for equal rights for those with disabilities |
Daniel Ruiz still remembers what life was like before the
accident. "I was a popular teenager
that was playing football and running track and field so to suddenly have my
life come to a near stop, would be life altering.
It's a hard pill to swallow at any age I would imagine. I
really saw no future for me," says Ruiz. In 1983 at just 15 years old a
motorcycle accident took Ruiz'ability to walk but it would not take his will to
fight. However, Ruiz admits those first few months were very difficult.
"I woke up with my bed surrounded by doctors.After hearing them talk about my injury (broken back),I
asked if I'd have kids and walk again? I
was told you to have bigger things to worry about. After a major surgery and
three months of rehabilitation, I was sent home in a 50-pound wheelchair with a
few instructions and a pat on the back,"said Ruiz. Now even at 48 Daniel Ruiz looks like a man
much younger. Perhaps it's the fight for equal rights that's helped maintain his
youthful look.
Ruiz says waking up everyday with a burning desire for
equal rights for all with disabilities is what keeps him going. "Though
we've made tremendous strides when it comes to access for those with
disabilities, there is still much that needs to be done. I'm still active as an
advocate and will continue to be for as long as it may take to bring access as
well change in perception of those with disabilities," said Ruiz.
To get to where he is today it's important to take a look
at his journey. One that had some dark days when there was no resources,
protections or even a place to turn for those in a wheelchair."There was
no ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and access to buildings, schools,
programs were next to nothing during the 80's.
"I mean it seemed that there was nothing for a person with
a disability could do for the exception of computer programming and that just
did not sit well with me. For the first 5 or 6 years, it was extremely
difficult adjusting," said Ruiz.
A defining moment for Ruiz came the day his mother got a
call from his principal in High School wondering why he kept leaving school in
the middle of the day. "Well after few hours I would need to use the
restroom and could not fit into any, so I would go home, 20 minutes push mind
you.
"My mom told him why and had me go in the next day to tell
the principal as well. I remember rolling into his office and him turning his
chair around and before I could say anything, he says, "What are we
suppose to do, change the whole school for one person?" If I'd known what
I know today I would have said "Hell yes! and for everyone that comes
after me." Their remedy was an out-house that you see in construction
sites for restroom accommodations.That experience and many more are what fuel
me today," says Ruiz.
Ruiz says that things are much better for Americans with
a disability but there's still along way to go.. Ruiz is one of the founders
of the Association for
Disabled Americans, a non-profit organization formed November 5, 1995 that still
functions today. "I've served as the Vice President or President in all
it's years and we have not only brought hotels and shopping malls into
compliance but entire cities! It's difficult to just think of one case, or one
class action lawsuit that would justify what we have accomplished in the 20
years I've been involved with being an advocate for individuals with
disabilities. We have brought 10's of thousands of facilities into compliance
throughout the USA and will continue, one facility at a time, one barrier at a
time one day at a time, we'll make the change," says Ruiz.
As President of the Association for Disabled Americans it
allows Ruiz to represent all disabilities in a lawsuit, not just those that
involve a wheelchair user. Ruiz says he also takes into account issues
involving the blind and deaf when he's working to get a building into
compliance. " I've been a named plaintiff in over 500 cases some that
where class action cases, e.g. Publix, Mobil, Amoco, etc. That covers hundreds
if not thousands of facilities.
As well Hospitals such as Jackson North and South, city of
Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Key West, Miami Gardens, etc. When addressing the
cities, that covers all the cities buildings, parks, schools, sidewalks, etc.
Hence, we make the biggest difference for the population when we are victorious
in those cases," says Ruiz.
But one of the biggest problems Ruiz often encounters, is on the surface, a building will often look compliant when it's actually no where near where it needs to be.
"You'll see on the surface that everything looks compliant.You see the accessible parking spaces, signage, lowered counters, etc. You'll then go into the place of business, could be a shopping center, hospital, school, restaurant, hotel and everything looks well and good as far as access is concerned. But then you need to use a restroom, or check into that 5 star $500.00 a night hotel room or have to stay at a hospital for a few nights to the only find out you cannot even use a bathroom without jumping through hoops. It's a practice that businesses take that will only address those ADA issues that are on the surface and side-step the "internal"issues. Or I'll get, "we never have anyone come here in a wheelchair." I always say with a smile, "that's because you're not compliant," says Ruiz.
But one of the biggest problems Ruiz often encounters, is on the surface, a building will often look compliant when it's actually no where near where it needs to be.
"You'll see on the surface that everything looks compliant.You see the accessible parking spaces, signage, lowered counters, etc. You'll then go into the place of business, could be a shopping center, hospital, school, restaurant, hotel and everything looks well and good as far as access is concerned. But then you need to use a restroom, or check into that 5 star $500.00 a night hotel room or have to stay at a hospital for a few nights to the only find out you cannot even use a bathroom without jumping through hoops. It's a practice that businesses take that will only address those ADA issues that are on the surface and side-step the "internal"issues. Or I'll get, "we never have anyone come here in a wheelchair." I always say with a smile, "that's because you're not compliant," says Ruiz.
Ruiz says despite making tremendous strides when it comes
to protecting the rights of those with disabilities there is still a long way
to go. "I'm still active as an advocate and and will continue to be for as
long as it may take to bring access as well change in perception of those with
disabilities. I'm not only addressing physical barriers, such as ramps,
restrooms, parking and the likes but addressing program access and social
acceptance of those individuals with disabilities. I do this by sharing real
life experiences in short stories and blogs on several social medias. Such as
Facebook and online magazines,"says Ruiz.
For Ruiz the future looks bright. He recently moved from
Florida to Alabama to live closer to his brother and family members. He says
being in that motorcycle accident 33 years ago is something that he's turned
into a positive and given him opportunities he could have only dreamed of
otherwise.
 |
| Ruiz with his daughter (Jessica Jo Ruiz) |
"The irony of this for me is that barriers that I've encountered throughout life, have open doors for me that may of otherwise may not have presented themselves to me. I'm a proud father, I've met President Clinton, I met and became friends with General Norman Shwartzcoft, I've been in movies, commercials and done more photo-shoots as a fashion model than I can remember. Nationally ranked tennis player, starting point guard and team captain for the Miami Heat wheels, all this and much more, all because I refused to let barriers win!," said Ruiz.
And because he refused to lose Daniel Ruiz has won and so have millions of Americans across the country.
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