Mobility is everything

Jeanette is a newlywed that has recently moved from downtown Hamilton to the west end of the city.

She has both an assistive walker and electric power chair.

"In the wintertime I don't use my power chair outside, just around the apartment.

Once the summer gets here I will be out all the time."

"The wet and the salt in the winter conditions gets on the battery and all over the chair, my chair is this much (whispers the amount)…. that's a lot of money."

"I like the walker because it's easier and convenient to get around, I use it in the kitchen to sit on when I'm cooking."

 What if you had a spot on your power chair to store your walker, that way you could bring both.

 That would be excellent.

"My message would be if people have an illness go and get a device… I didn't want to get one, right… But if you need it don't be ashamed."

Mobility is everything.

Brandon Dean, Jan 2014

A warming personality.

Meet Helen:

Yesterday was invasively cold. Ice covered sidewalks and streets didn't deter this dedicated post secondary student from making it to campus. And with a little help from Jackson Square Mall power outlets she was able to re-charge her power chair on her way home. That's when we started chatting…

"My battery in this cold loses 40% of it's charge life, I packed my charger today to charge up on my way home"

On her way to school she had to flag down the bus to stop on a dry patch where the accessibly ramp to bus could be extended and embarked safely. When piles of snow/ice collect on HSR curbs and landings it prevents direct access.

"The bus driver was unable to kneel the bus due to the cold"

(*HSR buses have hydraulics to lower the bus for closer access to curbs and landings.)

 She also got stuck on an ice patch on the sidewalk; luckily she was able to gain traction out of the situation. Helen made it to her destination on time.

*Helen has agreed to be an interviewee in the Scooterville Documentary. This segment will delve into the realities personal mobility vehicle owners face in the winter months.*

BD, 2014

Sidewalk Sweepers

Wheeling around in the sticky slush can be an arduous task. The sidewalks downtown Hamilton, ON are well maintained when winter hits. The timely sidewalk upkeep is a contributing reason to why downtown is a personal mobility vehicle hub in terms of accessibility.

The sweeper traverses the sidewalks to clear a path for all pedestrian traffic. I think these inanimate objects have a personality that resonates reliability.

 

Whisk away the slush, and carry on to the next block.

*Keep an eye out for each other in terms of sidewalk ettiquette when things are slushy or slick.

B DEAN

2014