The Editor,
In light of recent events, the damage and destruction that happened in downtown Vancouver, I wanted to write a letter describing something positive that happened right here in our city of Richmond.
I recently moved into Westwind, a small, older subdivision in Steveston. I am a mother of a 22-month-old, and I am a quadriplegic.
I use a motorized wheelchair for my mobility, and when we go strolling into the village, quite often my son is in his stroller.
On moving into our area, I realized that there were no curb cuts to allow us to walk safely into the village as well as to the elementary school Mackenzie will be attending in a few years.
I moved to this area so that I could have my independence, walking to shops, taking my son to school on my own. I decided to call the Richmond Centre for Disability early in the year hoping that they could help.
They apparently work closely with the city on these types of issues, and within a few weeks I had a phone call from a city planner asking to meet to determine where I would need my curbs cut.
We met in the spring of this year, and they promised I would be "walking" to Steveston safely by the first day of summer. Within the first week of June, they were out there working, and much to my surprise and relief it was completed before the first day of summer.
Amazingly, I have since met more people in my neighbourhood - one with Parkinson's, an older lady with a walker - all of whom were excited it had been done.
In short, I recommend anyone with a disability or a problem such as mine, to contact the Richmond Centre for Disability or the city. With all the challenges I face as a quadriplegic mother, at least I know one challenge has been overcome, thanks to the City of Richmond.
Brandy Cook
Richmond
