Marisa Castro has been living with multiple sclerosis for years, a condition that has required her to adapt her life over time. Her relationship with accessibility began to change when she started using a cane, crutches, and a scooter. During this process, public transport transformed from a daily convenience into a daily challenge, but also a crucial space for maintaining her autonomy.
She became acquainted with the environment of Fekoor, an organization linked to physical and organic disabilities, where she found experiences and support. She has lived in various places, including a town in Madrid and later in Bilbao, where she regularly commuted using public transport, cycling, and walking. However, as her mobility decreased, she began to perceive the system's barriers more clearly.
She particularly recalls the differences between cities: in Madrid, not all metro stations have elevators, whereas in Bilbao, she highlights that "all stations had elevators," which made a significant difference for her. Nevertheless, she points out everyday problems such as access to buses, often hindered by improperly parked vehicles, or narrow sidewalks that complicate her movements.
“"Proud of all I've been able to travel"
Despite the difficulties, Marisa states she feels proud of all the travel she has managed to do by public transport. She particularly likes the tram and the metro, although she admits that commuter rail is the mode she would most like to use and cannot always access. "I can take a long-distance train with assistance to go to Madrid, but I cannot go to Orduña or Santurtzi," she summarizes, highlighting the lack of accessibility in the rail system.
She also notes the difference with other European countries, where public transport assistance is faster and more common, facilitating greater autonomy for people with reduced mobility. For Marisa, the key is to continue advancing towards a more accessible and coherent model, one that does not depend on the type of journey or the mode of transport.
