If you\u2019re looking to be inspired, look no further. We want to introduce you to Raymond Fletcher, a man born with Roberts syndrome, an abnormality of the limbs. The genetic disorder is so rare, there are only 150 known cases in the world.<\/p>\r\n
Nevertheless, Raymond lives a normal life. He\u2019s independent and doesn\u2019t hold back. \u201cI live on my own. I do my own cooking and cleaning. I don\u2019t want to rely on anyone,\u201d said Raymond. He is paratransit certified but to get around, he chooses to use public transit and Tango, a ride-on-demand pilot program offered by the RTC.<\/p>\r\n
Dedicated to advocating for people with disabilities, Raymond is a very active member of the community. \u201cAs a disability advocate, I enjoy living in a community where the city is connected. We\u2019re a 24-hour town and so is the public transportation,\u201d Raymond said.<\/p>\r\n
He worked as a long-term substitute teacher and also consulted with CCSD to establish adaptive equipment for students with disabilities. Now, he owns Fletcher Consulting, a consulting company, and one of his main projects is helping to train new drivers on sensitivity awareness and how to interact with customers who need special accommodations.<\/p>\r\n
Adding to his resume, Raymond also serves as a member of the RTC\u2019s Transportation Access Advisory Committee (TAAC), which is a citizen\u2019s advisory group that reviews and provides feedback on paratransit and transit related topics. \u201cI really enjoy researching and learning. Once you stop learning, you stop living.\u201d<\/p>\r\n
Raymond also has the best \u201cwing man.\u201d He\u2019s cute, furry, and very smart. Make sure to check back in on Thursday, February 6, to meet Hercules, Raymond\u2019s service dog.<\/p>\r\n