The article “Living Without Limits” (fall 2017) about Garrett Bazany’s response to his accident and his experience at Calvin is inspirational. The article also portrays Calvin’s great lengths and efforts to accommodate Garrett and his disability.

Having ramps by Bazany’s time at the college most likely had less to do with him personally and more to do with complying with the provisions set forth by the American with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed by Congress in 1990.

To my recollection, Doug Rottman ’86 was among the first wheelchair-using students to live on Calvin’s campus, moving into a remodeled suite on first-floor Bolt (BHT being the only dorm at that time not to have stairs at every entrance) the fall of his freshman year, 1982. This happened as a result of his family’s and education professor Tom Hoeksema’s advocacy on his behalf.

Back then, Rottman had to take the freight elevator to access different floors of the library, and would have to brave the elements—and traffic (there were no paved pathways encircling the campus at that time)—piloting his power chair to get to the English department on the top floor of the FAC, which had no elevator.

In many respects, we have come a long way regarding the inclusion of the disabled and those with special needs. We celebrate Calvin’s long and rich history of creating community—including the disabled. Let us not forget those who came before who created a pathway for the many who came after.

Thomas C. Huissen ’85
Fremont, Michigan