Tami Saj has never let her disability get in the way of her goals, and
she's proud of it.
That's why the University of Victoria political science student entered an international letter-writing competition earlier this year to present her views on the disabled and the barriers they face.
"I have, of course, come upon challenges and difficulties in life, but I have never really considered them as barriers or obstacles," wrote Saj, who was born with a spinal defect known as spina bifida. "I have discovered that I am the key to my successes and failures in life, not my disability. It is simply the only life I've got, for better or worse, so I might as well make the most of it."
Saj's inspirational-and candid-opinions have earned her third place in the post-secondary division of the Garaventa AccessABILITY letter-writing competition, and a $1,000 (US) scholarship. The competition was open to post-secondary, high school and elementary students in Canada and the U.S.
Although she's thrilled with the prize, Saj says her main motivation for writing the letter was to present "a different perspective" on challenges facing the disabled.
"On this particular subject, my views tend not to be with the 'disabled community,'" says the outgoing 24-year-old. "I've found that there are sometimes people and organizations who feel the need to speak for me. But I know what's best for me and I'm comfortable speaking for myself."
Saj, who transferred to UVic this fall from Lakehead University in Ontario, has been using a wheelchair since age 16, although she's still able to walk short distances. "I had to change high schools because the one I was at wasn't wheelchair-accessible," recalls Saj. "It was an adjustment, but I'd known it was coming."
It was one of many physical accessibility issues that Saj, like anyone with a disability, has to face on a daily basis. But in her letter, Saj says that 'psychological accessibility' can be the bigger obstacle.
"Sometimes people with disabilities are their own worst enemies where accessibility issues are concerned," she says. "Yes, there are going to be buildings that aren't accessible, or opportunities one may have to pass up. However, I do not believe it is the responsibility of the 'non-disabled' community to change their ways for me.
"Instead, I believe it is my responsibility to fit into an already existing world," continues Saj. "I can relate on my own what I need to function in a particular environment. If it can be done, great. If not, so be it. Really, the person who is missing out is the one who doesn't get my business, can't employ me, or does not get the opportunity to meet me."
It's an attitude that has served Saj well. In her hometown of Thunder Bay, Ontario, she started competitive swimming at age 9. Three years later, she was on the national team, and competed at the 1988 Paralympics and three World Wheelchair Games, winning a total of 10 medals -four gold, five silver and one bronze. She later became the first person with a disability to be named to the Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
Saj has since retired from competitive swimming and is now concentrating on a career in constitutional law, which is why she chose UVic. "Everyone else is probably sick of hearing about constitutional debates in the news," she grins. "But I love it."
She's also becoming involved in other campus activities, such as wheelchair basketball and tennis. The sky is the limit, she says. "I've always had the attitude that if something isn't accessible or a door isn't open, then you open it. You take the initiative, because there's always a way to make something work."