Carl Hager & Grace Richards
Local Journalism Initiative
SHAWVILLE – On November 15, the Access Squad, together with the Beacon Network, held their United by the Heart event at St-Paul’s Anglican Church. The Access Squad hopes to create positive change in the community, and proof of these positive changes can be found in glowing reviews given by members of the Squad. One member, John Petty stated, “We all go through tough times; many of you have been there. It’s very hard and desolate. What the Access Squad does is help you pull yourself out of it. The power of people, kind words, community.”
A very positive atmosphere of about 50 people at the church hall known as the “Hub” highlighted the Access Squad’s purchase of a special chair lift. The Access Squad, a group of volunteers spearheaded by the occupational therapist Olga Ouellette, has raised the necessary funds to make the chair a reality. She gave a moving presentation on the importance of community and the goals at the center of their work, saying, “We started this group wanting to do something positive for the community. We are always striving to promote accessibility to make communal spaces more inclusive. Kindness is the only rule of the Access Squad.”
The Beacon Network co-hosted the event, and they announced that they are continuing their partnership with the Access Squad this winter. And, a psychotherapist will be hosting a support group focused on coping with various forms of loss, such as job loss, divorce, or loss of mobility. The Anglican Church also announced it would be further improving the accessibility of the community hall thanks to grants provided by the MRC.
Many establishments in the Pontiac are not wheelchair friendly. The chair, called the EVAC Chair, allows people with mobility issues to enter premises that are not ordinarily accessible to them. It will be carried on a Transpor-Action Pontiac bus to be used as needed. The person using the chair sits in it and, guided by the driver, uses traction over the steps, allowing upward and downward movement over the stairs. Before the chair becomes operational further training will have to be taken by the drivers who will be working the chair.
The Access Squad has held several fundraising events including last winter’s radio play adaptation of “A Christmas Carol” featuring Carol and Rick Valin, and well-known Montreal actor Howard Rhyshpan. Artworks, including photos by popular photographer Harry Foster, have been sold by auction. The Shawville Lion’s Club donated $2,500, the Quyon Legion contributed $500, and the Clarendon Women’s Institute also offered a $500 donation, making the purchase of the new chair lift possible.
Other speakers included the Beacon Network’s Kim Laroche who spoke about the community tools needed for positive mental health and psychotherapist Ali-Jonn Chaudary, a specialist in sibling estrangement.
Photo: L/R: Steven Sutton, Terry Campbell, Paul Piché, Olga Ouellette, and John Petty with a cheque for $2500 presented by the Shawville Lion’s Club to the Access Squad towards the purchase of an Evac Chair.