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Rotary Van provides transit for disabled By NATALIE ARMSTRONG Special to the Oakville Beaver It started with John Black, a man who has been living at the Oakville- Trafalgar Memorial Hospital since he suffered a football accident over 40 years ago, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down with limited use of his left hand. For a man who is physically challenged, he has made quite a difference in Oakville for people who use wheelchairs. Created by the Rotary Club of Oakville, the Rotary Van is the only free wheelchair transporter in town. It's purpose was originally for Black, as he started his own busi- ness called John Black Ticket Agency, for which he needed trans- portation. Only recently, has the service been available to others. "The van was primarily for John's use, but through his insistence, we spread it (the service) out for others to use," says Lloyd Lunau. fellow Rotarian and volunteer driver. "The first van was borrowed from an upholstery company on July l, 1952," says Black, who is not only a frequent user of the ser- vice, but also Co-ordinator of Services for the Rotary Van. Black was able to use the van with assis- tance from two Rotary members who helped him in and out of the van every week. "The next truck was supplied two years later by the Eaton Company, which was originally a Metro Delivery Van," recalls Black, "then in 1956, we used a Ford Panel Truck, which was converted by the Ford Motor Company. The first truck to have a power- lift was an Econoline truck which was converted in 1972 by various Rotary members who worked for the Ford Motor Company. The fifth van is the most recent, and was converted by the KING Company in 1990. "We recently had the van heightened," says Fred Giroux, a fellow Rotarian who is a volunteer driver as well. The van can carry three wheelchairs and one (mobile) pas- senger. The vehicle is available during the week to anyone, although the club does not allow overnight trips. The Rotary Club has always supplied their own drivers up until recently, which the user will now have to provide under certain regulations. Although the Rotary Van is usu- ally only used for such things like paramedical and therapy visits in Hamilton and Toronto, the Van has also been a part of some special events. "The Rotary Van took three disabled athletes to the Special Olympics," says Don Gray, a Rotarian and occasional driver, "without this service they (the ath- letes) might not have been able to participate (in the Special Olympics)." The Rotary Club of Oakville is planning to continue the Rotary Van service, as it is a commitment on part of the Club. "We don't think the Club's commitment serves to increase the number of vans," says Giroux, "although we will keep upgrading it as we have in the past." The cost of running the Rotary Van averages about $150 per month for gas, and the odd repair. Although the service is free, usually those who use the Van pay for gas. Insurance is also quite costly, and so the Rotary Club depends on money raised through Bingos, entertainment book sales, and a Lobsterfest each spring. A reservation to use the Rotary Van must be scheduled four days ahead, and can be done by calling John Black at 845-3743 before 10:30 a.m. any day. With the Rotary Van are, from left, Don Gray, Fred Giroux and Lloyd Lunau of the Rotary Club of Oakville. The club began provid- ing a Wheelchair Transit service at the request and requirement of John Black, a member who is disabled as a result of a high school football injury more than M) years ago. (Photo by Barrie Erskine) \h( Wlil German school open house The German Heritage Language School will holding an Open House and early registration at Queen Elizabeth Park School, 2301 Yolanda Dr., this Saturday, March 27th, from 9:30 am. to 12 noon. Classes are offered for German and non-German speaking children from Kindergarten to Grade 8. Adults are also welcome. TIME TO REPLACE YOUR TUB t)ll WALL? We offer a unique & practical alternative to the high cost of bath. room remodelling. . Acrylic, non-slip, made-to-measure Bathtub Liners fit snugly over exisiting tubs 119313 or less without disturbing exisiting tub, walls, tiles, plumbing or floors. (we've got. . . Inatallgd in 607-1 560 ACRYLIC BATHTUB UNERS MAQIC‘D a Better Idea ) . Customcd formed one piece tub-to- ceiling Bath Walls . Virtually mainte. nance free . Tested & proven in thousands of com. mercials & residential installations I Written guarantee Call now for FREE in-home estimate 21