By David Hodgson Sometimes the worst of things are done with the best of intentions. Often no one knows because those involved say nothing or can’t speak for themselves. If it happens to someone who can’t speak it’s imperative that someone speak for them.
For years, inclusion Powell River (PRACL) has done what it could with the best of intentions to care for those who can’t talk themselves. Unfortunately, even it can make decisions that have a bad effect for those it is meant to help.
Years ago, it built a beautiful centre in Cranberry (Community Living Place). The centre has level entry for those who are physically impaired and need walkers or wheelchairs. In an emergency they would have a safe and easy way to escape. It also has a fenced courtyard so those who have anxiety problems can walk these off—a perfect place for our special needs adults.
inclusion Powell River then bought a building that was once a church situated on a main road in Westview with the good intentions of turning it into a children’s centre, but the cost to renovate the main floor of this building was prohibitive and the children’s centre was put in the basement. This space had an elevator to get down to the basement for those who couldn’t use the stairs, windows around the upper perimeter but none to look out or open and the only means of escape in an emergency was a long cement ramp very difficult for those with physical disabilities to traverse.
Now, we parents and caregivers have been told that inclusion Powell River no longer wants the children in the basement of the old church—they should be nearer to nature with windows they can see out of and fresh air. The disabled adults, who have enjoyed this beautiful building in Cranberry, must be moved to the basement of the Jean Pike Centre in the basement of the old church.
As parents of a special needs adult with physical disabilities, who worry about the safety of this move, we have refused to put our child in this situation and inclusion Powell River has made alternative arrangements for her. But, this only makes it safer for our daughter; there are still a number of other people who, with no voice of their own, have without any choice been put into an unsafe situation.
I would ask inclusion Powell River to carefully reconsider this move and choose a fair alternative for these people before something they have done with the best of intentions turns into one of the worst moves they have ever made.
If it helps, I just read Powell River Living Magazine’s “I Made the Move,” interviewing Dr. Van Zyl who said he had just read an article about a preschool and a nursing home in Seattle, WA, that are on the same premises and how this is mutually beneficial to the children and the older people. He stated, “I love the idea and can totally see it working here.”
I too can see it working here as Powell River has always been at the forefront of innovation when it comes to advocacy of special needs people. Perhaps it is time for us to step up to the bat and try this out instead of stepping backwards and isolating our special needs adults to the basement of an old building never meant for this purpose.
David Hodgson and his wife are advocates for their daughter’s care.
