Blog 3/6 - Easter Seals
When a family welcomes a child, many will say that "it takes a village"; I would say the same when someone becomes chronically ill. There are so many things to do, to consider, to research... and those of us who are surviving must focus on living.
I am so thankful for "my village ", and especially for the person who told me about Easter Seals Canada. This wonderful organization offers a multitude of programs for those with disabilities (the VIPs, as I refer to us!). There are two VIPs in my family: myself and my son, who is autistic.
I was unaware of Easter Seals and the work that they do, as are most people that I speak with... so time to share!!
Two programs in particular have been extremely helpful for me and my family in planning our trip, and especially in managing our budget: the Disability Travel Card and the Access 2 Card.
Travel is expensive, and travel across Canada on a train in a room is astronomically costly! This is, however, an excellent way to see the country - it allows rest in comfy seats and beds, includes meals, and offers stops in various cities.
With the Disability Travel Card, help is available for those who cannot travel alone.
To apply for this card, help will be required from a medical professional. Click here to see the link to the application form, and the list of professionals included within.
Great news: this card is free of charge! The costly portion is the time to apply and the patience to wait for a reply (no acknowledgement or update provided during the 6 week processing period).
The end result is significant: the VIP pays for their ticket, and the companion (aged 16 and over) travels for free. And there is no requirement for a named companion, which means that you can travel with different people and enjoy the same accommodation.
For all the details, here is the link to Easter Seals Canada: https://easterseals.ca/en/about-us/programs-and-services/
More details on the booking process coming up in the next blog.
Getting around is one part of a trip; doing things is another important component... and there are so many things to do across Canada! And as my husband (aka minister of finance) will tell you, costs add up quickly and the budget takes a big hit. Ask the teenagers, and they will counter that we need to do more than sit in the vehicle and look out the window.
Enter the Access 2 Card! The rules and rewards are similar to the Travel Card but apply to a generous list of attractions and activities.
Here is a list of all the places that welcome cardholders: https://access2card.ca/participating-venues/.
In my experience, other places not listed by Easter Seals will also offer the same accommodation; scour their websites and don't hesitate to call and ask.
The application process for the Access 2 card is very similar to the Travel Card, with one important difference: there is a cost associated. Options for a 3-year and a 5-year card are available, and, in my opinion, the fee is very reasonable.
For all the details, including the application form, here is the link to Easter Seals Canada: https://access2card.ca/
A very special thank you to Easter Seals Canada for recognizing that those with accessibility requirements want to enjoy travel and attractions, and for offering help to your villagers.