ESTHER L. BUSH
This month’s health focus is on wheelchair users, including veterans who we honor nationally on Nov. 11. The topic includes information from Pitt’s Dr. Worobey whose research is about helping wheelchair users learn skills that increase their independence and quality of life.
Esther L. Bush, Interim President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh offers her insight into how the UL supports all wheelchair users.
Esther: First, I’d like to thank all our veterans for their courage, dedication, and strength. At the Urban League, we remain committed to uplifting every member of our community, including our neighbors who live with disabilities and our veterans who have sacrificed so much. Many veterans return home facing physical, emotional, or financial barriers and some require wheelchairs or other mobility support to live full, independent lives.
The UL is dedicated to helping them access the full range of benefits and resources they’ve earned through their service. That includes programs that provide stable housing, employment support, benefits navigation, and comprehensive services for them and their families. Our goal is to ensure no one is left behind, especially veterans.
Q: Thank you, Esther. In this month’s health feature, Dr. Worobey talks about peer-to-peer mentoring — where wheelchair users learn from other, more experienced wheelchair users instead of a healthcare provider. Why is it important to build connections between people with lived experience? Are there any UL programs that use peer-to-peer support?
Esther: Lived experience is a powerful teacher. When a person learns from someone who truly understands their daily reality, the impact goes beyond skill-building. It builds confidence, belonging, and community.
In our workforce development, re-entry, and youth mentorship programs, we intentionally involve mentors who share lived experiences with participants. Whether someone is navigating disability, poverty, the criminal justice system, or a major life transition, connecting with someone who has walked that same path can be transformative. Peer support builds trust faster, breaks down stigma, and reminds people they’re not alone.
