The Citizen, 1997-11-12, Page 9THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12,1997. PAGE 9.
Wheels Away offers freedom of movement
By Janice Becker
Citizen staff
A service provided for the elderly
and mobility challenged, which not
only offers an essential service, but
adds quality of life for its
customers, now questions its
sustainability due to government
cutbacks.
Government funding is currently
in question by Wheels Away as they
await word, as do all those who rely
on government money, on the
impact of downloading as of
January, 1998.
Vicky Piluke, chair of the
organization, said they are left with
the question as to how to approach
municipal governments if funding is
cut.
The six-year-old Wheels Away
program in northern Huron and
southern Bruce Counties has offered
personal freedom for hundreds of
clients since its inception in 1991,
said Piluke.
“Wheels Away is not just for
doctors’ appointments or trips to the
hospital,” she said. “It is for quality
of life.”
Stating that ridership has
consistently grown over its
existence, Piluke said riders are
using the service for activities such
as grocery shopping and social
and individual donations for aiding
in the fundraising. Wheels Away is
also a member of the United Way
which donated to the cause. The van
was subsidized at the 50 per cent
level by the Ministry of
Transportation, with the
organization’s fundraising covering
the rest of the cost.
The Friends of Wheels Away also
give much to the organization.
“It was the grants from the
Ministry of Transportation that
made the difference in the price of a
ride,” she said. “No one gets a free
ride. They pay a percentage of the
cost,” said Piluke.
The base cost of a ride on the
Wheels Away van is $4 for eight
km. The cost then rises $.25 for
each four km. as the crow flies, said
Karen Snow of the Wingham office.
For areas in the county where the
municipality does not contribute to
the program, the rider is asked to
pay a surcharge.
For those requiring the assistance
of a nurse or traveling companion,
that person can ride for free, said
Piluke.
Wheels Away caters to specific
clientele who must meet eligibility
criteria.
The basic limitation is described
as “those who are unable to climb
or descend stairs or walk 175
dependency
8/ child needing therapy
(physical, speech or
occupational) away from
home, who need
accompaniment by an adult
9/ temporarily disabled due
to accident, prescription drugs,
advanced pregnancy
10/ disabled persons who
drive only in dry weather and
not in the winter
A person’s earnings are not
considered. Wheels Away
does not and cannot base
eligibility on earnings. “The
service is available to
millionaires or paupers,” said
the memo.
Transportation is available
seven days a week, but it is
suggested as much advance
notice be given as possible to
ensure the ride request can be
filled.
Rides can be booked by
calling 357- 4074. Afternoon
calls will be taking by an
answering machine and
responded to on the next
working day.
As a charitable organization,
they are more than happy to
receive donations, said Piluke.
An income tax receipt will be
issued for donations over $5.
Raising funds
The April Fool's donkey raffle is a big winner for the Wheels
Away fundraisng campaign.
events.
“It helps keep the community
alive,” said Piluke. She also said
isolation is a major concern for
seniors and those with physical
challenges so a service such as
Wheels Away is very valuable.
The success of Wheels Away in
the region has been due to support
from several sources, she said.
“Thanks to fundraising activities
such as the Tea Party, which was a
huge, huge success; the donkey
draw; Christmas tree draw and
hotdog days, Wheels Away was
able to purchase a new van which is
on the road.”
She also credits municipal
government support and community
metres.”
In an organizational memo, it
stated riders must meet the
following criteria:
1/ user of wheelchair, scooter,
walker or cane
2/ unable to climb or descend
three steps or walk 175 metres
3/ visually impaired
4/ developmentally handicapped,
delayed
5/ physical or mental health
condition which prevents getting a
driver’s license
6/ taking a prescription drug
which disallows driving
7/ taking therapy or counseling
for a condition which disallows
driving such as substance abuse or
Piluke sums up the necessity of a
service such as Wheels Away by
quoting the organization’s motto,
“Freedom to move is freedom
itself.”
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with:
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