Jennifer Broadbent had basically given up on family visits to the beach, but the smile she saw on her four-year-old son Obie’s face on Sunday has changed the Corner Brook mom’s mind.
Thanks to the new accessible Mobi-Mat at Pasadena Beach, Jennifer and her husband, Mike Broadbent, were able to get Obie down to the water in his Chariot stroller.
Obie has PURA syndrome, a rare condition that affects his cognition and movement.
“When we had gone last year, it was a bit of a disaster because we couldn’t get his chair through the sand. He didn’t want to walk on the sand because it was too hot.”
While he can’t walk on his own, Jennifer said he does like to try with them holding his hands.
“So, when we’re on things like crushed stone or sand it makes that really difficult for him.”
But on Sunday’s visit things went a lot smoother.
“We were pleasantly surprised that we could take him on that mat, that walkway that goes right from the parking lot to the water.
“It was great. It went so much better than we anticipated,” she said.
“Having a child with special needs is sometimes isolating in itself, but then when you try to do “normal” things and you come up against these obstacles it’s kind of defeating.”
With the mat they were able to get Obie to the water where he sat and touched the wet sand.
“It was really great to see him be able do that.”
But it wasn’t just Obie who was making use of the mat. Mike said they noticed others using it, some just to avoid having to step on the rocks on the beach to get to the water.
“It’s just another example of if you build something with universal design everybody is going to use it,” he said.
“Which is great,” added Jennifer. “If it’s universal everyone gets to benefit from it.”
She said the mat is great for the elderly who may have trouble walking on the sand and for kids just learning to walk.
“It’s not just people with special needs,” she said.
“Sometimes we feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle, but like Mike said, if it’s universal then everyone benefits and by default we probably wouldn’t have half the issues.”
“It wasn’t on our radar until it was on our radar with Obie,” said Mike “One of those things when it is on your radar (you think) why isn’t it universal by default.”
Jennifer said taking notice of things and questioning how they’d get Obie in if he were with them is nothing new for the family.
“We run into it all the time.”
She’s seen accessibility issues at playgrounds, schools, hotels and arts centres and feels the people doing the designs should got through spaces with people in wheelchairs to see where the limitations and where the boundaries are.
Upkeep of services can be another issue. Doors may have buttons on them that can be pushed to automatically open, but that’s no good if the buttons don’t work.
The family didn’t get the opportunity try one of the accessible wheelchairs now available at the beach to take Obie into the because they couldn’t find information at the beach on how to book them. Jennifer said signage in the parking lot explaining what’s available and how to avail of it would help.
“There are so many facets to accessibility. So, it’s not just movement, like mobility, it’s also being able to actually access items,” said Jennifer.
As Obie gets older, Jennifer said they expect they’ll see more things.
“We hope instead of complaining about it to make a difference and offer suggestions. We’re learning as we go to be advocates,” said Jennifer.
Mike said they never really saw themselves in an advocacy role. When Obie was born their thought was he could do anything he wants, now it’s about how they can change the environment around him so he can do things.
And Mike is already looking at the issues they face at playgrounds.
“We might try and put together a proposal looking for a grant to construct an accessible playground.”
In the meantime, the family, which includes older brother Chase, will be enjoying some more beach visits. Obie actually returned on Monday with Mike’s mom and his respite worker.
The wheelchairs for the water be booked by calling Pasadena Place at 686-2135 and the Broadbents will definitely be making a call.
