HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2019-03-07, Page 9THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019. PAGE 9.
My favourite thing to do as a
science teacher was to take students
out of the classroom. “Field trip!” I
would announce and usually the
response was positive – especially
when it meant a whole day away
from school. We visited farms,
beaches, recycling plants and trails.
We planted trees, went fishing and
searched for snakes, mussels and
turtles.
Sometimes we just went behind
the school to the small ravine and
looked at the grass and trees. Nature
is everywhere. I really miss those
days.
But now, it seems the field trip is
coming to me. Just this past week I
have had the company of both the
local booming business and a family
with a growing young man. Blyth
Cowbell Brewing Company is
making plans for renovating the
former Emergency Services Training
Centre and a part of that plan is to
make the workspaces accessible for
all employees, especially the lunch
room.
In conversation with Steven and
Laurie Sparling one afternoon, we
started talking about kitchens. I was
having difficulty explaining how our
new kitchen is laid out and so
suggested that they come to our
house so they can experience how it
all works together. Field trip!
The trick is to apply the principles
of Universal Design (UD) coined by
Ronald Mace: “The concept of
designing all products and the built
environment to be aesthetic and
usable to the greatest extent possible
by everyone, regardless of their age,
ability, or status in life.”
Universal Design means that when
it works for one, it works for
everyone. We have four different
countertop work heights in the
kitchen. Low for me, and anyone
else who sits with me, and taller for
the rest of the family. I can roll under
the sink and cooktop and reach the
microwave. The wall oven opens to
the side and the door swings over the
top of my legs reducing how far I
reach.
Making a kitchen/lunch area for
the new Cowbell workspace means
having enough turning radius (1,500
millimetres), counters, coffee mugs
and maker, sinks and roll-under
seating all within 730 to 860
millimetres from the floor. When we
designed our home, we designed it
for me. When you create an
inclusive workplace you make it for
everyone.
After their visit Steven, Laurie and
their contractor Chris all had a new
perspective, I could see their wheels
turning. As Steven said: “[It] made it
far easier to relate to the design
rationale than by viewing a web
page.” My favourite reaction came
from Chris when he said that he
never would have known the house
was designed for someone who uses
a wheelchair.
The other “learning lab” we have
on the property is the 110-year-old
farmhouse. It is one of those
“addition, on addition, on addition,
on addition” kind of homes and each
one was on a slightly different level.
When you go there now it’s a bit
of an empty shell, but when you
visit, you see the renovations that
made it work in the short-term.
This new house we have, has it all.
I’m almost embarrassed by it. I
know the first thing that people think
when they arrive and come inside is
“It’s beautiful – this place must have
cost a fortune”. Well, it did, but the
only reason we were able to afford it
was because of the insurance
settlement from my accident. There
is no way we would have ever been
able to build a house like this
without that money.
So now I want to give back. To
everyone who has paid auto
insurance and will (hopefully) never
have to see a dime of it. We open up
our living lab of accessibility and
Universal Design so you can see
what’s it’s like to see out the
windows from a seated position;
experience cooking where you can’t
quite see to the bottom of the pot,
and try out the different workspace
heights.
In the spring or early summer
(once the mud has dried up) we hope
to have an open house. I’ll be sure to
let Citizen readers know more details
as we make plans so you can come
and see my new classroom.
Just when it seems there is nothing
left to share, someone asks me a
question. Keep them coming! E-mail
me at julie@juliesawchuk.ca
350 Josephine St.,
Wingham ON N0G 2W0
519-357-1383
Email: info@glassierphysio.com
Website: glassierphysio.com
Introducing two New Members of our Team
Laura Snoek PT, CAT(C)
Gavin Roberts CAT(C)
We are very pleased to welcome Laura
to our Clinic as our new
Physiotherapist. She is a Certified
Athletic Therapist and recent Master of
Science in Physical Therapy graduate
from the University of Toronto. Laura
brings an impressive background
working with sport injuries and
associations. She has recently
completed courses in Acupunture, Red
Cord Neuromuscular Activation, Soft
Tissue Release and Pelvic Floor
Rehabilitation. She is the perfect
complement to our Clinic Services.
Laura grew up in St. Marys, Ontario
and now lives outside of Teeswater.
We have been very fortunate to have
Gavin with us for the last several
months. He has been an amazing
asset to our clinic - working both in
administration and assisting with
patient care. Gavin is a Certified
Athletic Therapist. He graduated with
a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology
from the University of Western
Ontario, before completing his degree
in Athletic Therapy at Sheridan
College. Gavin lives in Wingham.
Learning at home
Julie Sawchuk, right, has used her newly-constructed, fully-accessible kitchen, built with
Universal Design principles in mind, as an example of how to address accessibility for both a
local family and Blyth Cowbell Brewing Company. (Photo submitted)
Youth Winter Sports Pages
The Citizen
Coaches and parents
~ we need your team’s picture
and players’ names
1. Please submit team photo
A.S.A.P.
2. Please include players’ and
coaches’ names for under
the photo.
Please help us get ALL the
Winter Sports teams published.
413 Queen St., Blyth
519-523-4792
541 Turnberry St., Brussels
519-887-9114
info@northhuron.on.ca
World Day of Prayer
The annual World Day of Prayer service in Brussels was
held this year at Melville Presbyterian Church. The service
celebrated the women of Slovenia and the culture of their
country. Services were held across the community,
including in Belgrave at Knox United Church. In Brussels,
Rev. Charmila Ireland, left, was one of the speakers,
alongside service leader Elaine Armstrong, centre, and
pianist Mary Douma, right. Wendy Martin was the guest
speaker, addressing her time in Laos. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Welcome to my new classroom
By Julie Sawchuk