As Starbucks and Seattle Ban Plastic Straws to Appease the Greenies, They May Be Harming the Disabled

As Starbucks and Seattle Ban Plastic Straws to Appease the Greenies, They May Be Harming the Disabled
"On Monday, Starbucks joined a growing list of companies in pledging to phase out the use of plastic straws (by 2020). 
Many other companies — and even cities like Seattle, Wash., and Vancouver, B.C. — have banned plastic straws, widely seen as a fairly easy way to minimize harm to the environment. 
These bans will make life harder for the disabled, however.

Many disabled people with diseases like muscular dystrophy find it increasingly difficult to lift cups to their mouths. 
Plastic straws enable them to drink without what would be a herculean effort. 
There may not be a fitting substitute.

Daniel Gilbert, a 25-year-old in Kentucky who was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, keeps plastic straws with him because not all of them are the same. 
He once left his straws at home while he was at a bar with his friends, and the bar only had plastic stirrers.

"I had to manage, but it took a lot of effort," Gilbert told CNN. 
"It was really exhausting."

Gilbert's disease causes his muscles to deteriorate, making it harder and harder to pick up cups and glasses..."
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