Given the Bum View on Canada Day
Wednesday Darrell and I went downtown to Canada Place to celebrate our nation’s birthday. Because Canada Place is undergoing renovations, festivities were held outside. It was a beautiful day for one massive block party!

Having spent a few days earlier this year in downtown Chicago, which is wall-to-wall cement and glass, I now appreciate how green Vancouver’s downtown core actually is. I can’t imagine living in a city barren of trees.
Making our way through the crowds, we managed to reach Vancouver’s new convention centre
Impressive space! Impressive views!
However, for a “green-designed, state-of-the-art facility” that was several hundred million dollars over budget, I was slightly disappointed at the accessibility.
Automatic doors were few and far between. Sitting at one door, after several people had walked through without holding it open for us, one well-meaning woman happened by and asked, “Are you wanting to go through?” No, I’m just sitting here in front of the door, looking like a dufus, for no reason. She kindly held the door for us.
Back outside, we found our way to another stage in time to enjoy Vancouver bandleader legend Dal Richards.
Posing for a photo with Dal, after buying his latest CD, was definitely my highlight of the day!

The 1st Annual Canada Day Parade was definitely a bummer for us. Despite being on the road, parked right against the curb, while standing spectators were constantly told to back up onto the sidewalk, Darrell and I saw very little of the parade. People persistently stood in front of us, with no regard that we could not see. Even after I tapped several on the shoulder and they responded with “Sorry”, they did not move. Very inconsiderate and rude!
We are unable to stand to peer over shoulders. Stepping to side would have been a simple way to make the parade accessible to us. It makes me wonder how ready Vancouver really is for the Paralympics.
Having had enough of the crowds, we did not stay around for the fireworks.
Darell and I look forward to seeing more of the 2nd Annual Canada Day Parade!
If you enjoyed this post, consider buying me a coffee. Thanks kindly.










Wow, June 30th already?

Do you know how long I and millions of other people with disabilities have been dealing with less than accessible washrooms, curb cuts and such? Accessibility isn’t a new concept, yet many, many people still don’t get it until they are personally touched by the need.
Wow, what a ride! In the last six weeks, I have: 
This past Sunday, Darrell and I met a Guiding friend Christine who I hadn’t since my Guiding days, many moons ago! With her partner Mark and their dog Cyrus, the five of us walked and wheeled around the north side of False Creek. We had great time talking, reminiscing and laughing. 

I drove straight in to the bathroom (rough sketch to the right), but even with my scooter nose right against the far wall, the door wouldn’t close. I backed up and tried pulling in beside the toilet. However, a small table and waste paper basket were next to the toilet – dumb place to put them! I was able to squeeze my scooter in between the table and toilet, barely. But now the metal garbage can was at risk – and I couldn’t reach it to move out of the way. It was either the garbage can or a dire consequence.
In part of the 11-page nomination package, SPARC BC’s Communication Manager Lindsay Hindle wrote:
Earlier that afternoon, after I had boarded the Skytrain to downtown, a TransLink staff reached around from the doorway and handed me a white rosebud. I have no idea why. Something in that moment moved him to do so. Although being an award recipient would have been quite an honour, sometimes its the small recognitions that are most meaningful. 

