This is a copy of the email I have just sent to hopefully get involved in making a real difference to Kirkby .
What do you think ?
Hi Hannah,
I am responding to your call for help in making Knowsley accessible.
I really do want to get involved with the project for disabled access in Knowsley.
My only problem is that for the majority of time I am completely bedbound.
I can be completely honest with you , getting around anywhere is difficult . Hence why I want to get involved .
Let me give you an example,
The moment I leave the house I have problems .
Straight away I have a sloping path , so maintaining control is difficult .
My disability comes from exhaustion, pain , lack of strength.
So to get down a sloping path I need to keep my chair moving very slowing so not to free wheel into the road .
If I then turn left to stay on the path my second problem is the drop on the pavement to allow cars to access their driveways.
While not a huge problem it does mean you have to propel the chair more to get over the bump and remain in control .
Leaving my house I encounter lots of the drops for driveways .
In honesty I find it impossible to stay on the path so I have no option but to use the road .
This obviously means additional risks for me .
I also think that anywhere you go that “takes into account disabled access” doesn’t actually think much .
To get a wheelchair into most places you need both doors open , yet most shops only ever open one .
Do you understand how difficult it is to open a door while propelling a chair ? Not fun !
Another thing people don’t take into account is the slightest bump . Any sort of step I find impossible to get over .
One thing I would love to be able to do is enjoy our parks and woodland . I love the peace and quiet at Spinney woods , yet I can’t get around in a wheelchair .
While I understand that to make this usable for disabled access surely while the changes were made , access for wheelchairs should have been thought of .
I would love to be involved with making Knowsley or certainly Kirkby to start with the 1st town that has access for all .
Kirkby is my home , it’s where I pay my council tax . Surely I should be able to get around independently.
Surely that is my right .
While I am unable to attend meetings while I am having bad days , I am still absolutely available for email correspondence or FaceTime , Skype even .
Certainly I think this should be a major priority while taking into account accessibility for all.
Accessibility for all should mean just that . While my illness dictates my ability to be up and active , surely my opinion should still be heard .
I really hope that this is discussed at all levels of our council , right up to the top .
I want to be involved in making Knowsley lead the way .
Let Knowsley show the country just how this should be done .
Access for all .
Alisha Whittam
FaceTime – alishawhittam@sky.com