Rollin' 'round Walton - IPM 2017

Aka International Plowing Match 2017 in Walton, Ontario.

It's probably not the best idea for me to spend the afternoon in the sun and heat and then come home and drink a cider...but I did anyway. Holy cow what a hot day. But the week didn't start that way... this is what it looked like.

Now a plowing match is not normally top of my list of places to hang out (four days in a row) but when in Rome...

And besides, I have been making myself useful. I joined the IPM 2017 Accessibility Committee several months ago and have been working with a keen group of women (yes, all women) on this project ever since. We have had a lot of support from the local IPM committee and from businesses keen to have the accessibility features on site. The brains behind the operation, Charleen O'Rilley, collected a diverse group of people with various experiences and expertise in living in an inaccessible world. It's true, if you don't live it, you don't know it.


There has been lots of publicity about the work that has gone into making this match accessible, in fact it was the topic of my last column in The Blyth Citizen. That, and Scott Miller, CTV did a great story to help spread the word too.
It's working. We (the committee) have had a huge response. People have come to the match that have not been able to for years. Planning a day at an outdoor event, knowing (because you saw it on video) what the bathroom facilities are going to be like for [insert the person who needs an accessible washroom here] makes a world of difference. Scooter rentals, ramped wagons, GOOD accessible parking, it all adds up to a day where all you have to worry about is the weather. Which was indeed a worry. But the match organizers closed the tented city down for the day on Wednesday so they could help preserve the land, and let it dry up a bit. Today we saw corn husks, mulch and wood shavings all being used to help soak up the water that fell from the sky all day Monday and Tuesday.

I spent some time talking to visitors on Tuesday and had the afternoon as a visitor with my family today. What a difference a few small changes make! Ramps to stages, large private bathrooms, viewing areas at concerts and events marked out for people to roll up with their scooter or wheelchair. The ramp up to the stage in the RV Park meant that one girl who uses a wheelchair was able to join her choir up on the stage as they sang during the worship service. The accessible parking area has a drop off zone and a ramped wagon to take you back to your car if you need it. Although we didn't stop to eat I talked to people who made good use of the picnic tables that have open ends to wheel up to. And, for the first time ever, people could tour the plowing fields on an accessible wagon thanks to the Townsend Family.

The most fascinating part is how word spread. Scott Miller's video has over 30,000 views - a lot from people sharing it with those who would benefit from knowing - often changing minds and deciding to attend. And word didn't just spread via YouTube, it also spread by word of mouth around the match during setup. Poor Charlene was getting calls and texts at all hours - staff who were setting up their tents and exhibits wanting to know what was best for accessibility purposes - which of course was a good thing.

I feel like this could be a new beginning - one where the people who run outdoor venues will begin to understand that setting up to create access for all just makes sense.

I heard Rick Hansen speak on CBC yesterday - 30 years ago he finished his roll around the world to raise awareness for people with disabilities and today marks the opening ceremonies for the 2017 Invictus Games in Toronto. All of these things coming together at the same time will help everyone understand that not everyone can walk up steps...but a ramp means access for all.

Broad Shoulders

Once again, I'm finding it hard to find the time to clear my mind and write. My list doesn't seem to ever get any smaller. I try to knock a few things off, but it's hard to say no...so the list just gets longer.

It's been a beautiful month, but also a crazy one - Bone density (in Toronto), botox (in Owen Sound), IPM (almost here), theforwardmovement.ca (just getting going), Greg's ride (awesome shirts Ella), building my website (thanks Michele), Accessibility Advisory Committee (no comment), cycling strategy (riding along), Adapted Car Show (a Parkwood reunion), physio (when I get there), Invictus Games (watching swimming), preparing to speak (as an RH Ambassador), Cowbell (food+), friends (to walk, roll and bike), kids (back to routine), relationship (getting back on track), family (all going to Greg's ride), writing for the Citizen and writing a book (just getting started). All this is not in any particular order, but as I write I realize that the things that get written on the calendar are the things that are most likely to happen. The others, well they just get squeezed in wherever they happen to fit, and only if energy is available.

Steve and I have been trying to find the perfect time to get out on our bikes together again. He was/is my tri training friend; he's training, I'm hoping. We spent many early mornings sweating on the trainers or lapping up the pool. We finally made yesterday work for a ride.

It was my first time back on the county roads and it happened to be just around the corner from where this journey all began. In the spring the County decided to repave a section of road from Benmiller to Saltford, and as they were already doing the paving, they also paved the shoulder. This was a decision made with the urging of the cycling community - and it is a great first step to providing safer cycling in our county. It's a stretch of about 6km from the top of the hill in Benmiller to the top of the hill at Saltford. We parked so that we wouldn't have to do either of those hills - I'm not ready for them yet.

The wide shoulder makes me feel safe. And the cars all passed with so much space I hardly gave them a second thought. My new vest lights up and Steve has a super bright and large light on the back of his bike - pretty hard to not see us.

The best part was the speed. Theo and I talked about this the other day - how much we like the speed of being on a bike. Yesterday I got up to 31 km/hr which felt awesome. Slow is slow though, I'm sure Steve could have walked along beside me and still been faster. We call that "granny gear". I learned too that I can't ride alone; my chain came off the bottom ring twice - I'm still learning about the gears - and it's out of my reach. I  rely on my riding partner to fix it. I need to spend some time with someone like Rob Buren. He is the first Canadian paraplegic to complete an Ironman. I'm sure he fixes his own chain.

On the drive back to Blyth I couldn't believe how skinny the road felt. Riding a paved shoulder was a whole new experience for me, one that made me question (again) why we pay taxes for gravel that gets dug out of the ground and then plowed into the ditch every winter. Surely that does not make sense? We need to think big picture and long range - the short sightedness of "wait until after the election" has got to change. Make decisions now, ones that make sense so we can all feel a little safer.

I didn't start out to rant about municipal politics (even though it has been on my mind as of late). I wanted to record the feeling of being back on the road. Although I felt so free and fast it reminded me of what I've lost. I've got to find it. Independance. We so take it for granted.