Waimea Weekly Locally Owned and Operated
03 548 2770
41 Nile Street East, Nelson
03 548 2770 03 548East, 2770 41 Nelson 41 Nile Nile Street Street East, Nelson 41 Nile Street East, Nelson
Wednesday 23 August 2023
Future of housing
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PAGES 18-19
60 years of marriage
‘Let down’ by public disabled facilities MAX FRETHEY
Local Democracy Reporter
First female chief for Appleby Bella Melchers is Appleby Volunteer Fire Brigade’s new chief. Photo: Gordon Preece. Story on page 6.
The disabled facilities across the region are a letdown, says a Belgrove woman who cares for her partially-paralysed husband. Alan Martin had a stroke eight years ago and now he’s paralysed down the right side of his body, leaving him largely wheelchair bound. His wife Jill now cares for him, but she says the disabled facilities and general accessibility across the region is not adequate. “You cannot have them home from hospital until an occupational therapist has been to your house, and you put in all the rails that are needed, change the furniture, everything, to accommodate their needs,” she explains. “And then you find everywhere, publicly, lets you down.” Chairs without armrests to help disabled people lower or lift themselves, spring-loaded doors that close on people being pushed in wheelchairs, disabled car parks that still have a kerb which renders them useless for those in wheelchairs, and too-steep ramps are some major issues for Jill and Alan, however even the disabled toilets aren’t good enough. Heavy sliding doors, a lack of grab rails on both sides of the toilet – a single grab rail could
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Dine in or Takeaway Classic Thai dishes prepared by our professional international team who love to exceed your expectations! Fully licensed, BYO wine. 276 Queen Street, Richmond. Phone 544 6489 | HOURS: Tues - Sunday Lunch: 11.30 - 2.30 Dinner: 4.30 - 9.00 | Order online www.ChaiYo.co.NZ
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