This afternoon my Mom and I were coming out of On the Dark Side on Tecumseh. As we were heading to my car, we saw 2 men helping out a guy in a power wheelchair. The wheelchair didn't have enough battery left to get him up curbs so he was stuck on the road. Thankfully, as a nurse I was aware how to go from the power to manual function...so we went over to give them a hand. Once we got him up on the side walk we were able to talk with the guy who we learned was "Rick". Rick told us that he lived in an assisted living home on St.Luke but they won't come to help. I asked Rick who he normally deals with to get rides to which he asked us if we could call Checker Cab because they are wheelchair accessible. I called him a cab then my mom and I stayed with him until it arrived. We talked with Rick and learned some things about him.

Once the cab arrived we could instantly tell that the driver was not very friendly. We helped the driver push the wheelchair up the ramp into the cab. I then said "bye Rick it was really nice meeting you". The cab driver instantly snapped at us and began to degrade us for calling him. We explained to him that we were trying to do something nice and we did not know Rick. He told us that he was driving him but would leave him at the curb, then told us next time call a medical transport company (not in an informative way, very rudely). We went to walk away and the driver starting yelling asking us who has money for the ride.

I was so angry.. once I got in my car I realized that I couldn't go home knowing he was going to be left at the curb, so I put Rick's address into my gps and drove there. Once we got there, sure enough Rick was at the curb and the cab was pulling away. My mom and I then helped him into the building. Thankfully Rick has ALSO support in his building. We talked to Rick about how rude rhe cab driver was to make sure that Rick was okay, but it didn't phase him...he said "well that's how it is", which saddens me because it's clear that he's used to being treated poorly.

At the end of all this, we are content knowing that Rick was warm and would make it to his apartment safe. So I'd like to spot the following people:

1) the two men that helped Rick when they saw him stuck on the road... you are truly amazing! If you ever come across a stuck power wheelchair I hope you remember about the manual function ;-)

2) the arrogant Checker Cab driver. Yes I understand you have rules amd liabilities (helping people from your cab to their door)..but your approach was unacceptable! I hope you never develop a mental health or physical disability where you will need the support of people!

3) my mom for helping Rick, keeping me calm when I became so angry at the cab driver, and going with the flow when I decided I needed to go to Rick's address

4) our Canadian health care system & ODSP for failing people with mental health and physical disabilities. Rick really needs a new wheelchair for his dignity, independence, safety, and impairments. Stop sending him in circles through the process!!!