Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/253786
8 G O I N G P L A C E S | S P R I N G 2 0 1 4 MANDY LAU I remember scanning the big, blue Manitoba sky above, then peering down the aisle to see my lovely wife-to-be strolling barefoot along the grassy path towards me. e guests were beaming nearly as much as I was. But two smiles were missing. My parents were back home in Ontario. After nearly 20 years of bat- tling Parkinson's disease, my father's mobility was too greatly compromised to travel. Almost all of us know the feeling of being separated from loved ones on special occa- sions. Indeed, Statistics Canada reports that one-third of all Canadians over the age of 65 are dealing with some form of disability. Yet getting around, including travel near and far, is crucial to our well-being. "Transportation, and mobility in general, is a key factor in in uencing active aging and quality of life," says Patti Chiappetta on behalf of Manitoba's Age Friendly Initiative, a gov- ernment program dedicated to making the world more accessible for seniors. "Being able to independently move around enhances opportunities to stay connected with friends, family and community . . . Mobility devices are often used by older Manitobans to assist them in maintaining their independence." Such devices are now in greater supply across the continent, thanks to entrepreneurs such as Lee Meagher. In the late 1980s, though her father had su ered a massive stroke, the Winnipegger was determined to not let the debilitating e ects keep him from joining the family on a trip to Maui. She made arrangements with an island company to buy a mobility scooter at the beginning of their vacation and sell it back before their return. Family fun ensued. Ten years later, she decided it was time to help other mobility-challenged travellers by founding a scooter rental service. Scootaround was born in Manitoba, but today, travellers can rent transportable or standard electric scooters, power chairs or manual wheelchairs from 1,500 North American locations and more than 80 cruise ports around the globe. e company provides rentals to travellers of all ages, from the elderly to the young. " ere's been many times that we've been part of family reunions, family weddings, fam- ily get-togethers," Meagher says. "We've gone to the point of helping people go on a last cruise together. We've helped so many people in so many situations . . . It takes away their anxiety and changes the way they travel, what they think they're capable of doing. ey know if they travel somewhere, they can get help." Scooter hunters can also nd what they're after at local home healthcare outlets such as Independence Plus and Reliable Mobility, which sell and rent the three- and four- wheeled devices along with other aids, includ- ing electronic wheelchairs and stairlifts. But as much as these devices enrich lives, it's important to take precautions. According to a 2011 study commissioned by Transport Canada, most countries classify mobility scooter users as regular pedestrians. is means they require no licence or operation training and are under no obligation to yield the right-of- way. Meanwhile size, speed and manoeuvrabil- ity vary between manufacturers. As such, you should give any scooter a test run in a controlled environment, familiarizing yourself with how it handles, before commit- ting to buy or use one. Moreover, while manu- facturers are not required to equip their scooters with safety features such as a horn, lights, re ectors or signals, you can help stay safe by making sure your ride of choice is equipped with all four. Speaking of safety, remember that in Man- itoba (and most everywhere else), scooter users are expected to keep to the sidewalks whenever possible. If you must venture onto the road, stick to the left shoulder, facing oncoming tra c. W hen journeying to parts unknown, Scootaround's Meagher notes that timing is key. For instance, you'll want to steer clear of rainy seasons as well as major festivals, when sidewalks can be packed and streets closed. Also, phone well in advance to book your scooter – rental eets can be quite limited – and to make sure your hotel is scooter-accessible. New to scooters? Start with CAA's Mobility Matters brochure, available at CAA service cen- tres. Learn about choosing the right scooter, the laws that govern scooter operation and basic operating do's and don'ts. Furthermore, the Age Friendly Initiative, along with the RCMP academy's Older Adults Division, pro- vides a six-week training program for seniors that includes scooter safety among its topics. With so much support out there, it's good to know that mobility-challenged travellers are good to go . . . no matter where they're going. GP TRAVEL SMARTS Mobile Roam Have scooter, will travel by Paddy McGee CAA exclusive offer: Make travelling easy again. Get 20% off Scootaround rentals. Expires May 1, 2014. caamanitoba.com/ savings p08-09TravelSmarts.indd 8 14-01-24 10:47 AM