We hated each other for some reason. I was in a defensive place being the new kid and she was defending a friendship she thought I was horning in on (with her friend).
As fate would have it, our mutual friend moved away - leaving both of us feeling friendless and gross. Soon after, we gave up the walls we had built and she and I started spending time together.
Amie had the coolest VW bug and we drove around for hours listening to cassettes and being silly. She taught me so much and I will always be grateful I have a friend like her. She stood up for me when I didn't think to stand up for myself and she always tells it like it is - even if I may not want to hear it.
I'm not sure how the universe aligned and brought me a friend like Amie, but after you read this story you may understand how people help one another.....or they should.
I read it - and felt such extreme pride for the woman who is still one of the closest people in the world to me so I am sharing it with you.
Glenna - my guess is you'll be shopping locally (and comfortably) in no time.
You go girls! Here's the story.....
Port Alberni resident Glenna Hartlen, right, and her cousin Amie Littlewood cannot access the stores situated in the strip mall at the corner of 10th Avenue and Roger Street because there is no sidewalk letdown.
However, certain Alberni Valley stores are making it difficult for her to accomplish that.
Hartlen has multiple sclerosis. She has been in a wheelchair for the past six years. She also lost the use of her arms last year.
Hartlen depends on the help of her family and Echo Village staff to get around, since she can no longer steer her wheelchair.
There are certain stores in the Alberni Valley Hartlen cannot access, due to a lack of handicapped facilities, such as sidewalk letdowns, automatic doors and uncluttered space.
“I’ve become aware of how frustrating shopping in the city can be,” she said.
She and her cousin Amie Littlewood recently went shopping at the Pacific Rim Shopping Centre.
The two women were dropped off in an handicapped parking space in the parking lot of the strip mall that is parallel to Johnston Road. As soon as they got out of the taxi, that is when the problems started.
“We could not go up on the sidewalk because it was too high,” Hartlen said.They located the sidewalk letdown at one extremity of the strip mall. However, Littlewood had to steer Hartlen in the drive-thru lane of a popular coffee chain to access the ramp.
Once on the sidewalk, Littlewood had to move chairs and tables put there for customers in order to walk side by side with Hartlen to steer her wheelchair.
First stop was at an electronics store, where Hartlen wanted to buy products that were adapted to her needs. Littlewood had to hold the doors open and steer her cousin at the same time, since the doors were not automatic.
Next stop was at a clothing store, which also did not have automatic doors, so Littlewood was again tasked with the challenge of getting both her cousin and herself in the store.
After leaving the store, they decided to go to the neighbouring fast-food restaurant. They had to travel on the parking lot because the sidewalk had stairs.
Hartlen and Littlewood were confronted by the same issues over and over again as they tried to shop at the Pacific Rim Shopping Centre.
“It’s all the same complex, it’s all the same design,” Hartlen said.
Littlewood noted that in many cases, there was no sidewalk letdown attached to handicapped parking spaces. The Pacific Rim Shopping Centre is not the only place where Hartlen has difficulties. She said that many stores on Third Avenue have a step in front of their entrance. She also cannot access the strip mall at the corner of 10th Avenue and Roger Street, since the complex has no sidewalk letdown.
Littlewood said the city should tackle accessibility.
“If the city wants to attract more senior residents, they should make businesses more accessible,” she said.
City planner said the city has rules and regulations regarding accessibility. However, older buildings that were built before the laws came into effect are spared from having to be handicapped accessible.
“There is nothing stopping businesses from being [handicapped accessible],” he said. “Building a letdown is not expensive. You cut down a piece of the sidewalk and you create a ramp.”
He noted that the city retrofitted many sidewalks to help people in wheelchairs, on scooters and with strollers.
As for the letdowns that are poorly placed, Smith said he would encourage Hartlen to get in touch with the businesses, as the city is only tasked with making sure new constructions meet the codes.
City of Port Alberni Mayor John Douglas admitted the city has some accessibility challenges and has a long way to go.
“We want Port Alberni to become more accessible for all residents,” he said. “We want them to be comfortable living, working and shopping here.”
To that end, Alberni-Clayoquot Continuing Care Society executive director Barb Stevenson has been tasked with doing a survey on how age-friendly the city is. The city received a $20,000 grant from Victoria to create an agefriendly Alberni Valley.
Stevenson said two criteria for an age-friendly community would be of interest to handicapped people: outdoor buildings and spaces, and transportation.
“They also apply to senior residents and mothers with strollers,” she said.
The survey will become available at the end of September and Stevenson hopes many city residents will participate in it.
“You can’t be aware of everything unless people report it,” she said.
Photo Courtesy of Julie Bertrand, Times
Original Story Published in The Alberni Valley Times.
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