He rolls around with his six-year-old wheelchair, smiling and saying, “What’s up, homes?” to the people he sees. Enrique Martinez, psychology and communication major, has been paralyzed from the waist down since 1991.
On an average day, Martinez would travel two to three miles on his wheelchair to get to class on time and get the bus on time. “When I run late, I push myself until it aches,” said Martinez. “But I have to be in class to get my education.”?
The supportive services are a call away, for those who need help to get through campus. Martinez is one of those callers who need aid because sometimes his muscles give out.
On a daily basis, Martinez works out his upper body by the machinery at his home. So when he goes to school, going up some hills is a somewhat minor problem. It could be a bigger challenge to an average student who doesn’t work out. “I would take the handicap elevators by the stairs, but they seem unsafe,” said Martinez, “There’s no where to hold on to, but I’ll go on some day.”
Martinez mentions the most complicated part of Bakersfield College, for him, is from the south side of the library all the way to the bus stop. Throughout that route, the hill increases, making it harder to get to the bus stop. “I usually take the elevator from student services to save some strength, but on Saturdays I have a class. Everything is closed on Saturdays, so I have to take that hill.”
When asked why he comes to BC, Martinez replied, “The streets are not for me.” He has been coming to BC since 2004 and is planning to transfer to become a counselor for troubled youth.
“I want to be a leader,” said Martinez. “Before I leave this earth, I hope I leave something good just so people would remember me.”
Since 1991, Martinez has gone through many emotional stages, but, as he puts it, “I just have to deal with it; it’s a challenge, but I must have will power.” Martinez’s reason for being paralyzed is because he drank and drove on a late October. “Sometimes people feel sorry for me, but I tell them, ‘Don’t feel sorry for me; it was my own fault.'”
When informed about his condition, Martinez preferred to die rather than to be paralyzed. “All my goals were shattered. It’s hard to explain, but something kept me going. I’m not sure if it was my family or friends, but there must be a reason for me to be here like this.”
After his release from the hospital, Martinez’s enemies would still have a grudge against him. “What would you do if two guys came up to you to beat you up? But I had to deal with it. There are still enemies out there.”
Some of the activities Martinez used to do were playing football, swimming, running, hunting, camping, hiking and biking. “I’m an outdoor person, and I like to go fishing and stay occupied with school.” During tense moments, Martinez would go out and roll for three or four miles through the streets of Bakersfield.
Growing up, he used to move from Natalia, Texas to Bakersfield throughout his life. Getting an education at the time was pretty tough, but his love for low-riders was always there. “At the time I didn’t know what gangs were or what ‘cholos’ were, but there are some things that I would rather keep to myself.”
According to Martinez, a person in a wheelchair uses up three times the strength of an average person. Like a human’s legs, the arms also get tired if used for a long time. “If only people could see how hard it is. I used to think life was easy, and people still take it for granted. But now I’m just going to concentrate on school just to get educated and not be left behind.”