Elaine’s Story

Submitted to Silver Wings Access Van - March 26, 2023

I got to know Elaine while she was a resident at the Meadows. Elaine was often working on art projects, including painting, diamond art images, and more. Her creative mind attracted many and her caring nature drew many more in the way she ‘looked out’ for her housemates. During one of our visits, Elaine commented how she would love to visit the Swift Current Art Gallery; a favourite local artist, Bill Philpott had a showing. “Oh great, I’ll check with the bus and see when you can go!”, I said.

Upon contact with our community access bus, I found that they could not accommodate Elaine’s request. Her wheelchair was 1 1/2” too wide to fit through the bus door. Heart to the floor right there. Because of 1 1/2” my friend could not access our community. There are no options for folks with wider and different styles of wheelchairs to do anything outside of the Meadows.

Long term care is not a prison, it is another fork in the road of life. You may have to say goodbye to the home you knew, accept physical and mental changes, but you should not have to give up your freedom and choice! Without access to our community and events, being in a wheelchair can feel like prison.

As a friend of Elaine’s, my deepest wish was that she was able to experience anything she wanted. I couldn’t help her while she was alive, but, in her memory, I will do all I can to achieve accessibility for all Meadows residents in the future.

Written by: Tracey Schlamp