MERRITT, B.C. — It’s set in the country side near Merritt, a picturesque setting, a place for families to escape the reality of caring for someone with a disability.
The Coldwater Ranch Lodge is now open for the season and accepting application for B.C. families to stay.
“Often when you hear the word ‘respite,’ it’s people looking to get away from their family member with the disability, but we think those families need a chance to get away together,” said Abilitas Foundation coordinator Jordyn Fargo-Berghuis. “Our motto is ‘rest, recharge, reconnect.’ We just like to foster that environment.”
The respite lodge opened in 2013 thanks to community members, who helped to build it, and Coldwater Ranch owner John Glazema, who started the Abilitas Foundation with a vision to create an accessible place for struggling families needing a break.
Sue Herring is the caretaker of the lodge, becaming involved after visiting with her daughter Tavia, who was born with a severe disability.
“I just fell in love with it that time when we were here,” said Herring. “It was open rafters at that time, it was just starting to be built and I just thought it was amazing, probably because of my daughter Tavia, then I realized ‘what a place.’”
Tavia is the reason she does this. Tavia is cared for by Herring on the ranch and both are a big part of what makes the lodge successful.
“She loves this. She welcomes the guests that come, like it’s her job,” said Herring. “She welcomes the guests and holds out her hands in the doorway to invite people to come in and enjoy this. It’s like camping in a big tent.”
The lodge is open to families living in B.C. There is enough room for four families at one time with multiple beds in each space and a bathroom with a special lift for those needing it.
While it opened officially on March 1, like it does every year, most families coming during the summer months.
“Primarily in the warmer seasons, but yeah we’ll have families who come just on their own, but sometimes we’ll book multiple families,” said Fargo-Berghuis. “That’s a chance to make friends, some connections. We’ll have families coming over and over again and want to pair up with the same families that they met on their first visit.”
For families eligible and interested in staying at the lodge, you can visit the Abilitas Foundation website to submit an application.
