My bright 9-year-old daughter knows what she wants to be when she grows up: a veterinarian or the president. She also knows that, due to a degenerative eye disease, she is losing her sight. We don’t want that to stand in the way of her dreams, but we also know there will be challenges. For example, we know she’ll never be able to drive. We don’t worry too much about that, though, so long as she has reliable public transportation. Already her sisters rely on transit: one rides the bus to Herron High School, and the other rides to work and classes at IUPUI when we are short a car.

We’re doing all we can to encourage our daughters’ independence and opportunities. On weekends, my husband and I set an example by riding transit, because we want all three of our girls to have access to an excellent education, as well as employment and transit.