Editor: Dear Mayor John Borrowman and Mayor Karen Sorenson, the Canmore and Banff hospital boards and MD of Bighorn reeve and council via Martin Buckley, COO.
I am writing this letter on behalf of all members of the Bow Valley who are unable to stand up for themselves (pun was intended, they usually are).
I have lived and worked in Canmore and Banff for 24 years and as a medical doctor I have seen the numerous changes in the Bow Valley (increasing size and complexity). Many are stranded in their wheel chairs. We have an opportunity to help them now. We can provide better support on their behalf and I ask for your assistance to help these members of the Bow Valley
I meet many members of the community that most people do not get to meet. They are mentally well, but are isolated due to their inability to get disability transportation within the Bow Valley. This community includes tourists who end up in the emergency room or admitted to one of our two hospitals, second home community members, many of whom are retired, but are unable to get around due to the way the Bow Valley is structured. And there is no community disability service to contact to get about; people need to be able to transfer themselves in a wheelchair-equipped vehicle.
I read that the Bow Valley was recently awarded $6 million in funding for transportation issues. Consequently, I am writing this note before your decision on these funds is complete. Hopefully you will be able to include a disabled taxi service for Bow Valley residents who are disabled and wheelchair bound.
When one is discharged from the hospitals, whether it is from the emergency department or acute care, taxi services both in Canmore and Banff cannot and will not take people that can not transfer themselves out of their wheelchairs.
We witness repeatedly, hazardous and painful transfers attempted by family members of those so afflicted. Their needs are in urgent need of attention. Ubiquitous in the Bow Valley are regulations that demand we have facilities for the disabled, whether it is bathrooms, elevators or ramps etc. Yet we still do not have a disabled form of public transportation. Currently, there are drivers licensed to drive disabled vehicles. Unfortunately, no taxi company or hospital has money to be directed towards this void.
Many , who leave the hospital, cannot use the normal taxi service, or even family assistance. The cost of ambulance use is either prohibited or not available, period.
There are two special vans. One is at the hospital and one at the seniors lodge in Canmore; not sure of Banff. They have specific policies about for who and when the van can be used. My hope is that the incumbent powers would revisit existing policies, with a view towards addressing the problem at hand.
The staff at Canmore Hospital and home care have worked hard to try to accommodate and help doctors get people well enough to return home, but it is a case by case decision and is often made because it is a crisis situation.
A recent patient spent over 12 weeks in hospital. He could not go home on weekends as he could not meet the criteria to use a normal taxi and even though he could be sent home by ambulance, could not then get back. He is elderly and although worked hard to achieve mobility, the exit trip home just could not happen. In the end, finally, the hospital was kind enough to help me get him home. However, now I do not know how to get him back, should and when the next need arise.
Multiply this conclusion by many stranded and suffering.
Louise Feddema,
Canmore
