Sgt. Joe Latarski said he received the best Christmas gift of his life in December of 2007.
It was this Christmas gift, a 1993 Ford Econoline Van equipped with a lift and special seating
to accommodate his powered wheelchair, that Latarski said, “gave me the freedom I have not had
in ten years.”
Little did Sgt. Latarski realize the numbness and tingling in his hands that he experienced ten
years earlier would be the early signals of a debilitating disease. In 1987 he was diagnosed
with Multiple Sclerosis and his life was changed forever. Since the American with Disabilities Act (
ADA) was yet to be established, Sgt. Latarski had to conceal his disease from his employer, the
Inkster Police Department. Sgt. Latarski soon required arm braces to walk and was forced into an
administrative position. Along with the passage of the American with Disabilities Act and the
generous donation of sick days from fellow officers at the Inkster Police Department allowed Sgt. Latarski
to continue working and retire in 1997.
In retirement Sgt. Latarski’s medical condition worsened. He progressed from utilizing arm braces to a
manual wheelchair to his current means of transportation, a powered wheelchair. Although Sgt. Latarski
feels fortunate to be mobile he still felt “like a prisoner” as he had to rely on public transportation.
Often times he could not obtain transportation at night, on weekends, or holidays.
There is no way I can describe what being a prisoner in your own home is like unless it has happened
to you” Latarski says. “I could only go out when absolutely necessary and most times that was to the
doctor's office. Since this glorious Christmas gift I have attended my granddaughter’s 6th birthday
party, gone out to dinner with my family and done some shopping. I have not been able to perform any
of those activities for years!”
Continued...
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