In my free time during undergrad, I worked with an older adult resident of North Hill Retirement Community. He is wheelchair-bound and finds that usual modes of transportation are extraordinarily expensive and time consuming for disabled people.
For two years I picked Colyer and his wife up from their apartment and took them to appointments, grocery shopping, or out to eat. In 2015, we used my car. Helping Colyer into the car was a labor and time intensive process. In 2016, Colyer purchased a motorized wheelchair and wheelchair accessible van, which greatly increases his mobility and the number of opportunities he has to leave his apartment. Going to dinner with Colyer and Lois allowed them time out of the house and a new conversation partner, and we did it weekly. I also visited weekly to help Colyer sort papers and organize his study. |
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