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Independent & Free Press, Wednesday, May 23, 2007 3 Life in a wheelchair not easy-- even for a day Brett Reynolds, Georgetown District High School student Brett Reynolds received his wheelchair at 2:30 p.m. on a Tuesday and had mixed emotions about the whole process. "At first, I thought that it would be me who would have to adapt my lifestyle to suit the needs of a disability," said Reynolds, "However it was quite the opposite-- I found to make my time in the wheelchair a success it was everyone else in my school, family and around town who had to adapt to me. I found that most of the more simple tasks that we perform throughout our day-to-day lives were some of the hardest while in a wheelchair." Reynolds found things like stairs, doorways, washrooms and cars to be the most difficult to maneuver about. "One of the more interesting aspects of living in a wheelchair for 24 hours was how I had to call the Activan to arrange pick-ups and drop-offs," said Reynolds. "This raised some questions to me about emergencies and just how hard it is to get around town. "I would suggest everyone try and perform some daily tasks in a wheelchair," said Reynolds, "To see just how hard it is for these people to live normal lives." Rick Bonnette Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette spent much of his day in the Civic Centre, working in his office and visiting other parts of the building. He also booked the Activan to take him to and from a meeting at the Gellert Centre in Georgetown South, and tried various facilities in the Civic Centre. "The front doors into the building are wonderful," said Bonnette, `The one thing that " O p e n i n g strikes me is that at automatically, there is no the end of the day, I real problem can see the finish entering the building." But the line-- many can't.' mayor soon found some of the washrooms a bit cramped for space, and found none of the fountains were accessible for him in the wheelchair-- he hit his chest on the housing before he could reach the stream of water. "Some of the washrooms take some skill, negotiating in and out," said Bonnette, "I found I had to back all the way out of the stall to get out of the washroom." Bonnette also discovered one of the halls leading to the washrooms was a bit narrow-- he had to back all the way out of the hall, since the wheelchair couldn't be turned around in it. "The clerk's counter is low enough to work over but the rest are high for someone in a wheelchair," said Bonnette, "It's a different perspective, looking up at everyone." Sandra Schulthies, Branch Manager, Scotiabank Georgetown It was early in the day when Sandra Schulthies realized her first obstacle-- the front door to the bank. "We have an assisted door here yet when I tried to open it and come in, it didn't open `Early in the day I as far as it should, and discovered many closed on me doors and washbefore I got through," said rooms that are Schulthies. labeled `handi"It was an eye-opener," capped accessisaid Schulthies, ble' are not.' "I found many of the sloped access points in the sidewalks around town actually slope toward the road, and if you don't watch it, that wheelchair can pick up speed, running right into traffic." At noon, Schulthies and a colleague attended a business luncheon. "When we arrived, I suddenly realized the event was in the downstairs dining room-- no elevator or ramp. I had to be carried down the stairs to attend the luncheon. "When I went for a coffee," continued Schulthies, "I filled up the cup, (which was on top of a tall counter) and then realized I had no way of taking it back to the table with me. I couldn't place it in my lap, and I needed both hands to propel the chair." Around the office Schulthies said she found it was `workable' and with the exception of the occasional filing cabinet in the way, for the most part, the bank wasn't too bad to maneuver around in. were located. I also found there are many considerate people in town, quick to open a door, happy to step aside to make room, and generally be considerate of a person in a wheelchair. The day I was in the wheelchair, organizers Maria Smorong and Bill Leslie dropped to see how I was getting along. "When we contacted all the people who took part, we gave them a chance to pick which day they'd spend in the wheelchair," said Leslie. "Many would check their schedules, and see which day was best for them to take their turn. People like Maria and I don't have that choice-- we have to cope everyday." `This opened my eyes and made me realize just how much I take for granted.' Stories and photos by Ted Brown Joanna Meltzer, Georgetown District High School student "I spent 24 hours bound to a wheelchair and I found it rather fascinating seeing the world from a different view," said Meltzer, "GDHS is far from being a wheelchair accessible school," said Meltzer, "It is quite a task trying to squeeze through doors without catching my fingers on the doorframe." Meltzer also attempted to `I never imagined get on a comhow difficult it puter in the library but was would be.' unable to enter the lab because of a bookcase obstructing her path. "Luckily this semester all of my classes were on the first floor," added Meltzer. "So I didn't have to take the rickety old elevator which does the job but is a little sketchy and extremely slow. " Outside of school, Meltzer went grocery shopping and had difficulty getting certain items. She went alone, and found it difficult to carry more than eight items on her lap. "Of the eight items six were out of my reach," said Meltzer, "We are so lucky that Georgetown is a friendly town, because people were more than willing to lend a hand. "It was an experience I am glad I took part in-- it really makes me appreciates the freedom to walk independently!" Ted Brown, photographer, The Independent & Free Press My first obstacle was the washroom in our office. In spite of the fact it was built to accommodate a wheelchair, the doors were too narrow to get through. I had to use the washrooms in the mall. The office otherwise wasn't too bad, except my workstation was too high. I also had to temporarily rearrange my desk-- the telephone was too far away from me, and I couldn't see the display until it was right on the edge of the desk. I attended a photo assignment at St. Catherine of Alexandria level-- sitting level. School, and found the `I learned that to a wheelI went shopping for a assist door on the front few items, used a bank didn't work. I was told it's chair, a 3-inch curb was as machine (and found that in the process of being good as a 5-foot fence.' the keypad is so high that refitted, but staff also apolkeeping one's PIN number ogized. hidden is basically impossiGetting to the assignment was another ble) and I also found that going to a restauobstacle that I hadn't planned for. As part of rant with the parking lot under construction this group, I was to have booked the Activan is another challenge. to take me to and from an assignment, but I I learned about aching shoulder muscles only remembered the night before-- it was after a long uphill haul, and the phenomena too late. I had to make my own arrange- of having a `numb bum' at the end of the ments. day. 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