Students with disabilities push against local and national straw ban efforts
For most, plastic straws are a convenience, a decoration or even an environmental hazard. For people such as government junior Caroline Graves, who was born missing part of her spine, straws are more than a dispensable waste product — they’re a crucial part of her life.
“I’m pretty good at hand strength, but sometimes, my hands shake a bit,” Graves, who now uses a wheelchair, said. “If it’s a large drink, or my hands are just unsteady that day, or the cup is kind of weird, I need straws.”
Many restaurants have stopped distributing straws to reduce plastic waste, however, leaving this basic need unavailable. In response to restaurants’ efforts to curb plastic straw distribution, students with disabilities have expressed what impact this move will have on their daily lives.
International companies such as Starbucks have garnered attention for their straw ban announcements, but many efforts can be found closer to home. El Naranjo, a Mexican restaurant on Rainey Street, is one example. Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo’s owner and chef, said that personal preference and environmental concerns motivated her to lessen her restaurant’s straw usage, only giving then out on request.
Read more: http://www.dailytexanonline.com/2018/07/30/students-with-disabilities-push-against-local-and-national-straw-ban-efforts
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I have to admit I took a straw today when I got a milkshake to drink in my car. I actually hesitated, but remembered the time I was warned against using a straw after having dental surgery and dumped my milkshake - one of the few things I could have - all over my coat. 
I don't ever recall using a paper straw. We can let everyone guess how old we are. 
I also regret reading about your incident with the milkshake. Just when it seems like things can't get any worse, then another unexpected surprise occurs. At least you made it home without getting into an accident.
We did, even when I lived way up north, except for my first year which was at a private school - at that school we had graham crackers and water.
And the time I dumped milkshake all over myself I was lucky since my mother was driving. She drove me to the dentist since I had a tooth out... 
We did have milk and orange juice breaks when I was in school. That would have been the only opportunity for me to encounter paper straws since we didn't go out to eat much when I was young. Other than a couple of greasy spoon restaurants for truckers, a Mexican food restaurant, and a Dairy Queen there wasn't much in my hometown. Communion wafers were considered to be eating something "different". 
And further revealing my age, the milk came in little glass bottles with a paper top and there was a hole for the straw. The milk man who brought the milk every day was the Dad of one of the girls in my class and I was envious. 
That was a very small town up north where we lived on the side of a mountain. It was beautiful country overlooking the lake, but the mountain blocked TV signals so we got only one channel! It was an NBC affiliate. So you watched what was on - or nothing! 
And I remember communion wafers, too. You had to be careful not to appear to chew them...
