The Citizen, 2003-12-03, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2003.
Shelley
Smith
Beyond
Limitations
Wheels of motion
I enjoy going for a drive. I like to
see things, such as the scenery,
along with the hustle and bustle
of everyday life. It is terrific that 1
am able to load up in my van and just
go - sure, I must find a willing
driver, but I do view getting out as a
privilege.
Finding a willing driver has been
easy; it has proven only to be a
challenge very occasionally. I
believe that almost everyone likes to
get out and experience life, and our
society requires us to have access to
a vehicle in order to do this. I do
appreciate that I can get out on the
streets of Brussels and go grocery
shopping or do my banking all
within a distance that I can travel
independently with my power chair.
I cannot take this for granted;
however, it is a treat to escape
Brussels every once in a while!
My days of operating an
automobile have been over for the
past decade. I had some close calls,
as well as endangering the lives of
my friends, so it was something I
gave up in the name of safety. There
is the odd day in which it would be
nice and sometimes convenient to
drive, but the frightening moments
that 1 had behind the wheel come
flooding back, and the feeling
quickly vanishes.
Inclement weather conditions
cause many of my unpleasant
memories. The pounding rain and
sleet would always ice over the
roads, and it would cause such a
fright to quickly lose control of my
vehicle. 1 never did go in the ditch,
which is a miracle. Because my
disorder causes a lack of controlled
eye movement, the road would never
stay grounded beneath me, or so it
seemed. Once my position sense
and leg strength began to diminish, I
proclaimed myself an unsafe driver.
When I did d'ive, I remember
getting dirty looks from wheelchair
users for parking in “their” space.
Now that I am confined to a chair, I
can see why!
For my wheelchair lift in my van
to work properly, my driver and 1
must find appropriate parking so we
can operate it. This proves to be a
problem quite often actually,
because my lift requires 8 feet of
additional space to be functional. We
usually hunt for a wheelchair
parking space in the lot. but
sometimes it can be frustrating to
find a space which is wide enough,
c • one that someone else who
doesn't necessarily need the spot
hasn't parked in.
To use wheelchair parking space a
Disabled Person Parking Permit
must be issued. To be eligible for this
permit, permission must be granted
by a licensed physician. To qualify,
the individual must be unable to
walk unassisted for more than 200
metres in eight minutes or less
without causing serious difficulty or
danger to safety or health.
Unfortunately, there are people in
our society who take advantage of
these parking spots, and do not think
about the consequences of their
actions. Wheelchairs need space so
transfers can be made, or lifts can be
operated. As stated earlier, almost
everyone needs to get out; it should
never be an inconvenience for
anyone to do so.
A
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Welcome new members
Mark Nesbit, Greg Toll and Julie Shannon, all from Blyth, became members of the Byth
Lions Club on Nov. 27 and were welcomed in with a dinner celebration at Memorial Hall.
From left, Bill Hanly, region chair, Charlie Shaw, Lions member, Nesbit, Toll, Tom Cronin,
Lions member, Don MacRae, south chair and front Shannon. (Eiyse DeBruyn photo)
County passes forest
conservation bylaw
Bv Keith Roulston
C <tizen publisher
At the last meeting ot their term
members of the 2003 Huron County
council breathed a sigh of relief as
they passed a new forest
conservation byiaw into effect. Nov.
26.
The bylaw has taken years of
consultation and it was the eighth
draft that was finally passed. The
bylaw had been approved a year ago
but had to be reworked again because
it didn't conform changes in the
Ontario Municipal Act which also
came into effect at that time.
Meanwhile councillors questioned
whether there was proper
enforcement of the rules now in
place since there is no bylaw
enforcement officer at this time.
Looking at a long list of 27 notices of
intent to cut trees. Deb Shcwfclt.
Goderich councillor wondered il
these were just being rubber stamped
or if anyone actually looked at the
work being done.
County engineer Don Pletch said
that normally the forest conservation
officer would inspect a random
selection of the applicants but with a
new officer yet to be hired, there
were currently no inspections taking
place.
Ben Van Diepenbeek, councillor
lor Ash fie Id-Col borne-Wawanosh.
wondered if someone couldn't be
contracted to do inspections until a
new forest conservation officer was
in place.
Pletch replied that Perth's otlicei
could be brought in to do inspections
up to two days a week
A motion was passed to allow that
hiring until a forest conservation
officer is in place.
TALK TO YOUR
PHARMACIST
The Canadian Pharmacists
Association reminds you that
there are important steps you can
take together with your
pharmacist to help you enjoy
better health:
/ Choose a pharmacy that meets
your needs and continue to use
only that pharmacy.
/ Keep your pharmacist up to
date on any prescription,
nonprescription or herbal or
natural health products (NHPs)
you are taking.
/ Ask your pharmacist to help
you choose nonprescription
medications or herbal and NHPs.
/ Take your medications as
directed.
/ Talk to your pharmacist if you
are unsure about how to take or
store your medications or if you
are having any problems with
your medications.
/ Never leave the pharmacy
before you know the answers to
all your questions.
For more information, talk to
your pharmacist.
- News Canada
£?hristmas (5‘pen <^ouse
Sun?fX Oe,
UNO TAX!
Open daily 9-6,
Fridays ‘til 8
Sundays 11-5
61 Hamilton St.
Goderich
524-2374
v OFFLuc'en r^,
OFf i/ected
sizes » ems i
STYLED
llTo Fit
Women’s Clothing & Accessories
7° Pm
Alzheimer’s
disease:
Signs to look
out for
(NC)-Do any of the following
behaviours seem familiar'.’
• Forgetting things more and
more
• Asking the same question over
and over
• Having increasing trouble with
language
• Difficulty performing familiar
tasks
• Disorientation ol lime and place
• Poor oi decreased judgment
• Problems with abstract thinking
• Misplacing things
• Mood or behaviour change
• Changes in personalitv
• Loss of initiative
II you or someone close to you is
experiencing some ol (he signs
and symptoms above, it could be
Al/hcimcr's disease You should
speak to your physician soon.
Further information can be
obtained by calling I 8.88- <70-
6444 to speak to a registered
nurse
\cn s ( anada
Holiday Gift B®skets
Looking for the
perfect gift?
Give the Gift of Health
Pack a basket
any way you
like, full of |
things you '
know they'll
lone.
• Gift Baskets • Fruit Baskets
• Meat Trays • Shrimp Rings
Certificates
Sandwich
)ueen St., Blyth 523-4551
These stores make
gift-giving easy!
’ Please give
2 days notice
Scrimgeour's
FOOD TOWN
co
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- Italian charm bracelets
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~ Boyds Bears
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L 28 Albert St., Clinton 482-5855
Place fywt
Sanity!
• Gourmet Foods
; L■ • Fruit • Cheese
• Chocolates • Candles
Pick up or deliver
We deliver from Blyth to Clinton. Wingham,
Goderich. Brussels & most points in between
Open 7 days a week until Christmas
Luann's Country
Flowers &• Gifts
409 Queen St., Blyth
523-4440 1-800-610-7757