The Spirit of the Lunch Special: How Community Memories Can Shape an Accessible Future

“What’s Happening in Your Town” features the perspectives of people with developmental disabilities about their own experiences in their communities. The column gives them a space to freely share their own opinions and their lived experiences with others. Interested in writing an article? Send an email to Tianna Faulkner, Editor-in-Chief at .

Hi, my name is Ben Oxley and I’m from McDonough, Georgia. When I was a kid, McDonough was a quiet little town, just 20 minutes south of the hustle and bustle of Atlanta. Older people and the generation of folks like me only knew it as a quiet little town where everyone knew everyone. You would find out about local news, like the opening of a new grocery store, just by talking with a friend at your favorite restaurant, as you enjoyed the signature weekly lunch special.

Then the community slowly realized that the small restaurants and other familiar places were disappearing, and that friends we once shared that lunch special with had moved on. Big chain stores like Walmart, Kroger, and Target replaced the spaces where those small businesses once stood. Traffic picked up and more housing was built. We realized those weekly down-home lunch specials were a thing of the past, as the big city moved closer to McDonough.

Growth is good for the overall infrastructure of the community because it brings more tax revenue. At the same time, it also makes those of us with disabilities feel left out. Many feel that they are not considered in the planning for this growth. There is no more talk of the great conversations we used to have when sharing lunch specials. Now many of us can only sit at home with a friend and remember where you used to go every Taco Tuesday to catch up on what’s happening. People with all types of abilities need to be a part of the conversations during this time of growth in our once small town.

So where do we start to become a part of that conversation? We come together to talk about the things that need to be done to include people with disabilities – to remind the city to always consider people first when building something new. And there is still work to be done within the areas that were built before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For example, we can start by making repairs to the beautiful McDonough Square. Those repairs should include making it accessible. We also need to advocate for accessible walkways, like installing ramps and repairing sidewalks. Changes like this will allow everyone to attend events with family and friends, such as the annual Geranium Festival held at the Square.

For me, I will continue to improve my skills as an advocate and put myself in a position to represent my town of McDonough and give a voice to the voiceless. For example, I am taking the things I learn from the guests I have on my podcast and share them with others. I’m taking every opportunity to serve in leadership roles of organizations. Right now, I’m on the board of directors for All Terrain Georgia to ensure that people with disabilities can feel the breeze when they hit the hiking trail for their first time – just like anyone else. And one day, I hope to be a national advocate to show the spirit of the great down-home lunch specials, and make sure the conversations never go away.

Working together should be at the forefront of what it means as a community to make a town for everyone to enjoy. When people with disabilities have a seat at the table, the impact goes far beyond warming the spirits of those around them. Instead, these conversations create lasting warmth and meaningful change that touches the soul of entire communities forever.