The thought of standing in a long line to vote may get you down. If only it were that easy for Dr. Arun Goel. The Northwest Indiana man is paralyzed from the neck down. So, he depends on others. But the one thing he doesn’t need help with is making up his mind.

Dr. Arun Goel with his daughter Malini in their home in Schererville, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Puente/WBEZ)

Dr. Arun Goel with his daughter Malini in their home in Schererville, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Puente/WBEZ)


Like a lot of voters, Dr. Arun Goel is paying close attention to the presidential candidates as Election Day draws closer. His top issues: ending the war, fixing the economy, repairing America’s image abroad and…

GOEL: The number one issue is the stem cell. That could change your whole life.

Dr. Goel is especially interested in stem cell research because he believes it could be a part of a cure to repair his damaged vertebrae.

He injured his spine nearly three years ago in a fall at his home in Schererville, Indiana, near Chicago.

His injury is identical to that of the late Superman actor Christopher Reeve. Before the fall, Dr. Goel, a retired cardiologist, was active, traveling the world with his wife.

Now, he can’t feel any part of his body below his neck and breathes through a ventilator.

His family and a team of hired assistants provide constant care. But his mind is sharp, one of the reasons he wants to vote.

So, on this day, he does just that.

ANDREWS: I will hold your hand. That will be fine. And, as you see, I’m marking an X where you see signature of the voters. Ethel and I will both witness it that it was you.

That’s Mary Andrews, an election official in Lake County, Indiana. She brings the ballot box to those disabled voters who can’t get to the voting booth.

As Dr. Goel sits upright in a sort of flexible stretcher, Andrews lifts his limp right hand so he can mark the ballot with a pen.

She and another election official read the candidates names and questions to him. Andrews says there’s been a lot of interest from disabled voters.

ANDREWS: This is an historic election so many more people want their vote to count.

Just a few weeks ago, Dr. Goel didn’t know he’d be able to vote. He’s not eligible for an absentee ballot because he can’t sign his own name.

MALINI GOEL: We’ve been watching the debates and talking and, just generally keeping abreast of the election. And then I was like dad, who are you going to vote for? And, then he said to me, ‘I don’t even think I can vote. I doubt I can vote.

That’s Dr. Goel’s daughter, Malini. After some research, Malini Goel learned through the Indiana Secretary of State’s office that her dad could in fact vote through this process, officially called a traveling board.

But a service like this one in Indiana isn’t available in all states, says Jim Dickson of the American Association of People with Disabilities.

Dickson, who is blind, says the country’s 37 million disabled voters face a variety of obstacles when trying to vote depending on their condition. And he says politicians don’t see disable people as a voting block.

DICKSON: We don’t all look alike and we don’t all live in the same neighborhood. Government policies matter to our quality of life.

Back at Dr. Goel’s home, the voting process takes about 15 minutes since it also involves national, state and local races. Once he’s done, Dr. Goel smiles and says he’s satisfied.

DR. GOEL: I feel like I did my duty and I’m happy I did that. I’m happy that I at least indicated my voice and it will be counted.

Dr. Goel hopes others value their vote as much as he does.

DR. GOEL: We all can’t just sit back and let things happen. We must put in our voice. And only putting in our voice can we change things.

As far as his pick for president, Dr. Goel shakes his head left to right, sign language for I’m not telling.

I’m Michael Puente, Chicago Public Radio.