HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-09-07, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017.
High standards, high expectations
By Julie Sawchuk
was blown away! So much thought
and work has gone into the set-up of
this event! Twenty days out and I
could already see how I would be
able to get around and into all the
public spaces. The roads are
smoother and easier to travel on than
my own front lawn! The tented city
map already shows where the four
universal accessible washrooms are
located. As we travelled around on
Dean's Wheels we decided on the
best places for the viewing areas at
the stages and mapped out how the
accessible parking and drop-off area
would flow. Everything has signs so
you can find what you need.
How do you make 100 acres
accessible? You take a small group
of dedicated volunteers with a
passion for helping others - people
who are giving their free time after
working all day and missing putting
their kids to bed - and it gets done.
Margaret Mead was right when she
said "Never doubt that a small group
of thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it's the
only thing that ever has."
Word is getting out too. People are
planning to come now that they
know that so much effort has gone
into accessibility planning.
Grandkids are making plans to take
their grandparents "because they
really enjoy watching the plowing".
What better endorsement could there
be? So, I am going to take my
wheels, my high standards and my
high expectations to the IPM in
Walton this year because I know that
I will not be disappointed!
Making the impossible, possible
One of the very basic challenges faced by the International Plowing Match's accessibility
committee, a first in IPM history, was how to make a 100 -acre farm accessible to all. While it
may have seemed daunting at first, the committee has taken on the challenge and made
remarkable progress, developing Dean's Wheels, an accessible people mover, among other
innovations to improve accessibility at the site. The committee is seen here. (Photo submitted)
This is the second article in a series
written by Blyth's Julie Sawchuk that
will address accessibility in Huron
County.
By Julie Sawchuk
I have high standards. I want the
best projects from my students, top
marks on my kids' report cards,
faster results with each race, the best
food on a night out and the most
entertaining movie. Is that such a
bad thing?
As I travel farther in this
wheelchair I realize that high
standards and high expectations may
be a bit too much. As a family, we
rented a cottage for a week this
summer. I had been to see the place
before we committed and I thought it
would work out well for me. I could
get in and out, the yard backed out
onto the lake and there was lots of
space in the kitchen. All good, right?
Sure, until I had to live in it!
I had forgotten how exhausting it
is to push a manual wheelchair on
carpet - it's like riding a bike in loose
sand. I couldn't reach the taps easily
(no dishwashing for me) or most of
the food in the fridge. Although it
was great to get away, relax and read
a book (or two), I was looking
forward to getting home. I didn't
realize how much I depended on the
small modifications we made to our
old farm house - all in the name of
safety and energy conservation (my
own energy, that is).
Perhaps my expectations were too
high? A good friend of mine said I
should keep my high standards, but
lower my expectations! When I got
the call from Charlene O'Reilly to
be a part of the Huron County 2017
IPM and Rural Expo Accessibility
Committee, a million little "high
expectations" ran through my head. I
admitted that plowing matches were
not really my thing, so I didn't know
what I would be getting myself into,
but I said yes anyway. I took my
high standards and went to the
committee meeting with the big
question running through my head:
"How on Earth do you make 100
acres of hay field accessible?"
As a committee, we have had to
tackle getting around, washrooms,
parking, picnic tables, stage viewing
areas as well as volunteers for all
these areas and fundraising as well.
We also hope to be able to help
people with vision difficulties by
providing (on request) tented city
raised maps. On Tuesday and
Saturday, the main stage will have
sign language interpreters on site.
How about the battery in your
scooter - how long will it last around
100 acres? Not to worry - charging
stations will be available too.
Caregivers will be admitted for half
price and you can get coloured
wristbands to help you keep track of
your group.
The day before writing this article,
I went for a preview of the site with
the committee - a sneak peek - and I
Dean's Wheels
Dean's Wheels is a revolutionary addition to this year's International Plowing Match that will
be held in Walton later this month. The people mover is fully accessible and was specially
commissioned by Townsend Tire and Smyth Welding and Machine Shop in Auburn. The
inspiration for Dean's Wheels is Dean O'Reilly, who has to use a wheelchair to get around due
to an as -of -yet undiagnosed condition. The creation has been the pride of the IPM accessibility
committee. From left: George and Ruth Townsend, co-owners of Townsend Tire and O'Reilly's
grandparents; Charlene O'Reilly, chair of the committee and Dean's mother and Julie
Sawchuk, committee member. (Photo submitted)
Progress
Blyth's Julie Sawchuk, a member of the International
Plowing Match's first-ever accessibility committee, is seen
here in the Huron County Showcase, which features
smooth, wooden floorboards to ensure premium
accessibility for all residents. (Photo submitted)
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