Acceptance of persons with disabilities
Posted by Diana Myers Stephenson on April 22, 2000
I will soon be making a trip to Merida. This will be a vacation/preliminary research trip as I am considering the possibility of moving to Mexico. My eighteen-year old child has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. We have a van with a wheelchair lift. So the ferry from Tampa to Progresso is attractive, as it would allow us to return to the USA for visits and take our van with us. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has knowledge or personal experience with the assimilation, inclusion of persons with disabilities into the Mexican culture.
Posted by Rick on April 24, 2000
My wife and I spent two months traveling around Mexico. She has an MS-like disease and is very much confined to her chair. We found the people there very accepting and they were very polite. We both commented that they stare less than in the States. Of course there are no provisions there for disabled and getting around can be a problem, but we had a great time and I would not worry about it. Go and enjoy.
Posted by jennifer rose on April 22, 2000
A friend of mine here in Mexico has a child severely limited by CP, and he and his family treat the child just like the rest, bringing the child, wheelchair and attendant into restaurants and wherever else they may go. In fact, they've even traveled around the world with the child in tow, surely making some accommodations, but treating it all just as a fact of life. Bystanders seem accustomed to the sight of this family entourage as just another part of the landscape. Another friend has a severely mentally retarded daughter, and she's reported tremendous difficulty finding an appropriate educational environment in Morelia.
Occasionally on the streets of my own neighborhood I see a fellow in a wheelchair, pretty well incapacitated, making his way up the street and sometimes hanging out at the cockfights. Whomever's standing around gives him a boost up the curb with nary a second thought. While my knowledge is simply based upon observation, it appears that physically challenged persons are treated kindly and in a non-patronizing manner here, even in the absence of government-mandated accommodation. But, more germane to your situation, is the Tampa-Progresso ferry back and running again?
Posted by Diana Myers Stephenson on April 23, 2000
Yikes! I hope so. My information is based on a web page I found last week. It said the ferry ran on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Had thought a trip to Progresso would be a good idea, now I know it is a must. Thank you for your prompt response.
Posted by Jeff Pearson on April 23, 2000
After several trips to Mexico, it dawned on me one day that I saw more physically disabled people in public there, than I would typically expect to see in the US. This in a country where there are generally no ADA type accommodations in existing construction. Mental disabilities may be another issues. I've heard of unspeakable conditions. The conditions reportedly exist not so much from indifference as from lack of training and awareness. I'd be curious about other's observations of mental health care in Mexico.
UPDATE TO ACCEPTANCE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Posted by DianaE on Septiembre 10, 2000
I would like to hear from anyone disabled who has immigrated to Mexico with a FM-3. Are requirements the same? Any stumbling blocks to getting FM3 because of disability? Any easy way of presenting situation to avoid complications? Same financial requirements? What happens when you report Social Security Disability Insurance as the main source of income? I am fortunate. I am not blind or in a wheelchair. I am limited in what I can do, and for how long I do it. I would be moving somewhere around Guadalajara. Thanks!
Posted by Mulligan de Morelia on Septiembre 11, 2000
Piece of cake, Diana. The rules are the same under the FM-3. My wife has MS, in a wheelchair, and no special problems. You should be able to report your SS Disability payments as income with no problem, assuming the disability/payments are not short-lived. Whatever your disability is, bring it to Mexico and enjoy your years ahead!
Posted by jennifer rose on Septiembre 17, 2000
Mulligan's absolutely on target. One point I might add is that Mexico can be an ideal environment for a disabled person, simply because a broad range of personal services are available and affordable here. While the ADA hasn't hit Mexico, strides are being made every day to accommodate the needs of handicapped folks. Walmart and Costco have motorized wheelchairs to accommodate shoppers, many new street corners and buildings are designed for handicap access, and where access isn't available, an attitude of total strangers committing random acts of kindness towards strangers pervades our society in Mexico to an extent that's just not found up North.
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