By Juanita Collazo

Linda Smith is a blind woman who works as a shredder at CW Resources in West Hartford. Recently, she and other CWR workers have been having problems with the Greater Hartford Para-Transit service. While Smith's shift ends at 2:30, it isn't uncommon for her to not get home until well after five.

Smith, 58, has several medical and physical issues, including cancer. A nurse and independent living aid come to help her after work, and when the bus is more than 20 or 30 minutes late, she misses the assistance she deeply needs. On a hot June day in 2008, the bus never came at all, and job coaches had to drive ten CWR employees home.

Along with other CWR employees, Smith has complained to the Greater Hartford Transit Authority, but things haven't gotten better. The workers filed complaint forms with Independence Unlimited, but still, nothing has changed. Greater Hartford Transit held a forum where the Director of Independence Unlimited listened to complaints, but para-transit users still wait and wait for their bus.

Smith, a former BESB Industries employee, enjoys her work at CW Resources. She says she's got nothing against Greater Hartford Para-Transit, she only wants them to fix the problems so she can make it home in time to meet with her nurse and aids.

Editor's note: It saddens me to report that Linda Smith lost her battle with cancer on February 2, 2010. She was a fighter who never let life circumstances get her down.

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