It's a great time to be a disabled ISAT major on this campus. You can get the fast-flying thrills not afforded to the rest of the student body, because you get to experience the exhilaration of the ISAT ramp. Walking up and down the stairs can be such a drag — step, step, step until you reach the top or bottom. So boring. I had heard of the great adventures of the paved incline at ISAT, so being a relentless daredevil, I wanted to see what all the hoora was about.

I went to the University Health Center, borrowed a wheelchair and prepared for the time of my life. As I was driven from the Health Center to ISAT, excitement filled my veins. When I arrived, I gazed at the colossal ramp that was soon to test my strength, endurance and will. Right there before my eyes was five flights of cement for my scaling pleasure. Forget the wall at UREC, this winding road is a far longer and more arduous workout. Also a competitor, I was timing myself.

I shot off the start, adrenaline pumping as I reached the first turn. I spun the wheels more rapidly up the second ramp. By the time I reached the third level, my triceps began to cramp. I was out of breath, wondering how much longer this hell would go on. I leaned forward in my chair, gritted my teeth and continued. Finally, with tubes of Jell-O for arms and gasping for air, I reached the top of the mountain. Catching my breath, I realized that those two and a half minutes of pain were about to pay off, for my journey was only half complete. It was now time for the roller coaster ride of my life.

I took to the hill slowly with my hands lightly grasping the wheels. Then I picked up some speed as I reached the middle plateau before shooting down the final descent. As I neared the bottom, I grabbed my wheels to brake before hitting the wall. It did not work. I skidded down, destined to trash this borrowed wheel chair. Then my thoughts kicked in. I put my feet on the ground and finally stopped. But that was only the first of five legs down the ramp. Little did I know just how much fun ISAT can be. I think tomorrow I am going to beat my leg until it is broken (keeping one healthy, of course to serve as a brake) and notify my advisor of my change in major so I can experience these death-defying thrills everyday.