Casey Martin

            
             All Americans, whether disabled or not, are granted "the pursuit of happiness", according to the Declaration of Independence. Casey Martin is just one such person, attempting to fulfill his lifelong dream of playing on the PGA TOUR (Profession Golfer's Association). Martin suffers from Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome, a rare circulatory disorder in his right leg that makes it difficult to walk. In 1997, Martin sued the PGA TOUR for the right to ride a golf cart during competition. The PGA claimed that Martin's use of a golf cart would give him an unfair advantage over his competitors. On May 29, 2001, United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of Casey Martin. I firmly agree with this ruling because it upholds the Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted in 1990. All discrimination against the disabled is illegal and the law requires "reasonable modifications" in all public sites. .
             As the current law states, all people with disabilities are entitled to participate in activities with non-disabled people. In shopping malls they are provided with ramps, elevators, and reserved parking spaces. In fact, in almost all public entertainment locations, modifications have been made to increase access for disabled persons. Martin's golf cart simply allows him to participate in a sport in which he excels. In addition, all employers are required to provide physically challenged workers, availability to work sites. As golf represents Martin's livelihood, it would be a serious injustice to withhold these slight modifications. In fact, other golfers on the tour were appalled at the original PGA decision. Martin was not seeking any unfair advantage but merely a way to get from one hole to the next with less discomfort. .
             In the original PGA decision, it was stated that golfers who had to walk the course rather than ride in a golf cart, would suffer more fatigue by the later holes. However, because of his disease, Martin would not be able to participate at all.