Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1995-08-02, Page 13August 2, 1995 Nn•in nddieser 8 No,ln L rr 137) New mobility bus a big bonus Blue Water Rest Home residents like their spacious, air-conditioned vehicle Above, Tiny Thiel, a wheel- chair resident, poses with the Blue Water Rest Home's new mobility bus. At right, from left, Tiny Thiel, George Stephenson, Esther Makins and Clara Hamilton say they enjoy the new vehicle which al- lows the home's residents to participate in more out- ings including picnics and parades. Brenda Burke T -A staff ZURICH - The wheels on the bus are going 'round and 'round this summer for residents of the Blue Water Rest Home. On July 12 the home purchased a $55,000 mobility bus to replace its 12 -year-old touring van. A new mobility bus was needed because the Ministry of Transportation will not allow the van to carry wheel- chair residents any longer. At least one third of the home's 65 residents use wheelchairs and that number is increasing. "We really can cater to the wheelchair residents now," said home administrator Josef Risi. The residents agree the new .is is a big improve- ment. it has a capacity of seven passengers and three wheelchairs compared to the old van which held the same number of passengers but only one wheelchair. If two seats are removed, an additional wheelchair will fit in the new vehicle. Now wheelchair residents are able to participate in outings several times a year rather than take turns to have a once a year out- ing due to the old van's limited amount of wheelchair space. "What I like about this," said resi- dent Esther Makins, "it's got the cen- ter aisle. There's lots of room to get in your scat. You're not crowded up or anything..;) rode in the old one and I didn't like it." According to Makins, the space in the old van was very limited. "You had to bend your hack to get in the back seat," she said. "With three to a seat you didn't have room to move." "You can walk. In the old one you couldn't walk," agreed Risi. The bus is also air-conditioned, a big plus for resi- dents who suffer in the heat wave. Although many residents prefer short trips, since the 1995 demonstrator bus was purchased the home's resi- dents have been to picnics in Goderich and Port Blake and, for the first time in three or four years, have taken part in the Zurich Fair Parade. "We had a few ribbons on," said Vera Thiel, a resi- dent at the home. In past years Risi had to call off the home's parade participation due to hot weather. Now, he said, he doesn't worry since the bus is air-conditioned. Another added feature of the bus is its side lilt. Resi- dents with walkers are able to use this lift to gain ac- cess to the vehicle. Such a feat was impossible with the old van since a back row of seats prevented entry, with the exception of a wheelchair, from its rear lift. Although the new bus doesn't compare to the old van, Risi admitted, "We used it 12 or 13 years and we never had a problem with it." During his 25 years as the home's administrator he remembers lacking a resident vehicle in the early sev- enties. In 1972 the home purchased its first communi- ty sponsored van for $15,000. The price of the second van was comparably low. Now, with about $51,000 to raise for the new mo- bility bus, Risi is confident the home's fundraising campaign will quickly gather enough funds to cover the cost of the vehicle which was paid for with the home's building fund. A tournament at the Bayview Golf Club last month collecting $3,725 towards payment of the bus marked the beginning of the bus campaign. Risi believes rais- ing funds for a bus already in use is easier than trying to collect money for a vehicle not yet purchased. "If I support something I like to see what I support," he said, adding the bus is a good example since peo- ple can see it being used in the community. The fact that the mobility bus is out in the community is the main advantage for the residents who use it. Risi said outings will more Iikely'increase now with the added space and convenience of the bus. The home may even be looking for another volunteer driver to add to the two it already has, including Risi. More outings means happier resi- dents. "I have no other way of getting out,"said Makins. "If you have friends that come along, fine, but a lot of peo- ple don't have friends." "I do appreciate the home having it or we'd be shut in," agreed resident Clara Hamilton. The home was considering fixing up the old van but figured it wasn't worth it since its seats would've had to be cut and two additional entrances installed to bring it up to Ministry of Transportation standards. The hoard also talked of buying a brand new mobility bus rather than the one they did purchase but that would mean waiting until fall for the arrival of the ve- hicle. Although the new bus is expected to only travel ap- proximately 9,000 km per year,there may be bigger plans in store. The home may expand its transporta- tion services on a volunteer basis to include its senior apartment dwellers. The home also considered taking on a mobility terri- tory in Huron County. There are now mobility routes in Wingham, Goderich and Seaforth. "Then it's a business," said Risi. "We wouldn't have the accessibility any longer on short notice...You would have to plan a trip two or three days ahead...We would've had to lease it for events." Risi feels the new mobility bus is Netter off left solely to the Blue Water Rest Home. "In more than one way it will greatly benefit the res- idents," he said. "i think it's a nice asset to the opera- tion here." "I have no other way of getting out. If you have friends that come along, fine, but a lot of people don't have friends." R D E C Y C L E O L L IN YOUR HOMETOWN...YOU CAN MAKE DOUR MONEY WORK FOR YOU AGAIN &AGAIN &AGAIN... Local retailer pays wages for 2 employees When you spend your money in the community of Exeter it never goes to waste. It's recycled over and over and over again to the benefit of everyone. Let's explain; spending gets the economy moving. It increases employment. It p,.;vides more donations for churches, servive clubs and more. It bolsters selection with expanded inventories while it lowers the cost of public services through a greater tax base. Spending improves our comforts through home improvements and recreational courses.Your money spent in your community can work for you again •and again. On the average your dollar spent will change hands seven times before leaving Exeter.What a friend:; good buy for your dollars. EMPLOYEES deposit their wages in local Trust Company a:: Agila ENOUGH MONEY has been saved to purchase extra home furnishings WITH EARNINGS employees arrange for car loan CAR PURCHASED from Exeter dealership. Salesperson paid wages PLUMBER decides ' upgrade his home with purchase of house in subdivision WITH WAGES salesperson has plumber install new bathroom HOME FURNISHINGS STORE feels business up turn and hires new employee NEW EMPLOYEE rewards his positive future with a pet purchase from pet store • STORE OWNER makes donation to youth sports; Exeter Figure Skating RECYCLE YOUR DOLLARS... IT PAYS Get the picture! Be a recycle of your dolor by making them work and work and work and work-. Brought to you eourtooy of 1 •