Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

PEOPLE IN MOTION

People with disabilities battling more than just COVID-19 during the pandemic

Aug 14, 2020 | 3:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — The world we live in has, for the most part, been built by non-disabled people, for non-disabled people. People with disabilities often must work harder to do many of the tasks non-disabled people take for granted. Now imagine those extra challenges compounded by the isolation and fear COVID-19 has created.

Trish Rhode developed paraplegia after an incident of domestic violence that left her with a spinal cord injury.

“My common-law guy threw me off a balcony,” Rhode recounts.

She does many things non-disabled people do every day. That includes visiting one of her favourite spots, just down Tranquille Road from where she lives: People in Motion’s office.

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“People in Motion is so huge for me,” Rhode explains. “It’s a source of inspiration. It gives me a purpose. The people… I mentioned the culture of positivity. And when they closed, it was a huge gap in my life.”

People in Motion shut down in March to safeguard against the spread of COVID-19, as did many other services in the community. Amid the fear and isolation surrounding the pandemic, things like hygiene — one of the primary weapons in the fight against COVID-19 — became a challenge for those who need extra help.

“Interior Health had shut down their bathing program, which is the only option I and many others had to get clean and be sanitary so that we don’t get sick,” Rhode tells CFJC Today. “I’ve been taken down from two baths a week, which is a luxury, down to one bath a week.”

Along with the gaps in service Rhode experienced came social isolation as a result of the pandemic.

“People in Motion is so huge for me, and when they closed, it left a huge gap in my life,” Rhode says. “No longer do I get to see my friends. The social outings, the transportation they provide to go there — I get to ride in a vehicle with my friends.”

“All of our programs have so much social interaction,” People in Motion Executive Director Deb Delyzer explains. “Most of our members, they need that routine and the need the social aspect. So, [the pandemic has] been detrimental to our members.”

It’s been almost five months since the pandemic began. People in Motion is working to provide once again the programs they offered pre-pandemic, with some adjustments to ensure their members’ safety.

“We had an exceptional donation from Teck Highland Valley Copper, where we were able to purchase numerous laptops,” Delyzer says. “Now, we’re putting binders together. We’re going to be doing Zoom training with some of our members. We can’t accommodate them all.”

Rhode, who completed her Bachelor of Social Work degree at TRU in 2016, will be joining that training as an instructor. It’s a way to give back to an organization that has been a big part of her life.

“I associate People in Motion with play,” Rhode says. “Whether we are teaching or learning, no matter what, we have a good time doing it. It’s done in such a positive manner.”

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we could all use a little more positivity in our lives.