An Election Day Disaster…or a Gift?

I am referring to our recent federal election here in Canada, and my title definitely has nothing to do with the actual election results. Lol.

Voting is something I believe to be a privilege, a privilege denied to so many, and so ALS or not, I will continue to exercise this right. I truly believe that no one can complain about the government if they don’t take the time to cast their vote.

The day of the election, Cory came home on his lunch hour to take me to vote. The rain was pelting down hard, and the thought, this better be worth it, crossed my mind. Our polling station was set up in an old high school gym that is currently undergoing major renovations. We drove around twice and could not find the handicapped parking, or any available parking for that matter. We ended up parking in the church lot next door. Cory got me out of the car, into the wheelchair and we headed to the main gym entrance. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get up the foot high step, and were told to go around the side of the building.  We walked with a lady pushing a double stroller, to what turned out to be the wrong way, as we ran into a construction fence. By this time we were absolutely soaked and getting a bit grumpy.

We followed the mom with the stroller back to the gym entrance and watched her get assistance to lift the stroller and her two kids up into the building. As we weren’t getting any drier, we followed suit. Once inside, we brought up the issue of no signage for wheelchair access and were assured that they would remedy the situation. We left the gym by way of the school, and found the ramp we had been searching for. Getting back to the car wasn’t easy as the path was half gravel, half saw cuts in the cement and huge puddles which were growing by the minute. For me, getting across such terrain is doable, but I hate to think how someone using a walker would manage. We eventually made it to the car, both of us extremely wet and cold.

Now, if my story ended there you might find it difficult to see a possible gift, so I will continue. What I left out of my account, or who I should say, is the smiling lady who saw us in the parking lot. She turned around and walked toward us, holding her umbrella over me, not just to the entrance, but along the side of the school as we all searched for a ramp. Once inside, she gave us the umbrella to take when we left and said she would meet us in the lot. Because the wheelchair access was at the back and we were slowed by gravel and puddles, this kind soul made it out before us. She went around to where we were, took the umbrella from Cory and continued to hold it over me until Cory got me out of the wheelchair and into the car. Amazing! Add to this the gentleman who jumped into the rain, grabbed one side of my chair and helped Cory lift me into the building, as well as the sweet ladies working at the polling station.

I got home and was soon dry. I was initially annoyed at the whole debacle, but the more I reflected on it, the more I felt gratitude for the acts of kindness granted me by complete strangers. My ❤️ was full.

Despite being happy with the outcome, I thought it was important to shed some light on the difficulties I encountered in the hopes that it might bring about some change. I penned a letter to the editor of our local newspaper and within a few hours an interview was set up. I like knowing that I still have a voice even though I can’t speak. Check out the link…Cory and I made the front page. 😉

https://www.langleyadvancetimes.com/news/difficult-time-voting-highlights-issues-for-disabled-canadians/?fbclid=IwAR2VSCnGa3e1SRiLexcbJEtpeBw4fFPQMGK9NMNZqf4fBCVRyX5wWPN5s7s

Thanks for reading…until next time! 🙂