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16 If you are like most people with MS one of the most challenging aspects of the disease is how difficult it can be to maintain your active lifestyle. Symptoms such as fatigue spasticity and pain combined with gait or mobility changes can make it difficult to keep up your daily routine much less engage in recreation. Yet exercise and recreation are important areas of life. According to the American Therapeutic Recreation Association research supports the concept that people with active lifestyles will be not only happier but also healthier. Recreation and exercise have recognized physical cognitive emotional and social benefits. Disability brings its own set of challenges as you learn to navigate a world designed for the able-bodied. Much advancement has been made since the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Yet as those with disabilities well know this legislation did not solve all issues of accessibility. While some business or public buildings may be in flagrant violation of ADA laws more often they obey the letter of the law but not the spirit providing the bare minimum of accessibility features without regard to the convenience or ease of their use. For example a supermarket may provide electric carts for the use of disabled customers but fail to keep them charged or maintained. A restaurant may have the required hand rails in an accessible bathroom stall but the length of the stall may be insufficient to shut the stall door with a wheelchair inside. These poor attempts at compliance can lead to frustration and an inability to fully maintain your independence if not addressed.