As published in MS Life Autumn – pg 19
If you live with MS, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact self-advocacy can have on your well-being, self-confidence and pride.
Ronda Bennett was diagnosed with MS in 2001 and over the years has experienced a gradual loss of mobility in her legs, as well as a visual impairment. She now lives in MS Queensland's primary care facility Granston Lodge and remains engaged with her local community, taking regular outings into the community.
Recently, while trying to manoeuvre her mobility scooter along the crossing of Annerley and Park Roads at Dutton Park, Ronda was becoming increasingly conscious of the concerning and unavoidable blind spots.
Ronda and her Vision Australia Orientation Mobility Specialist, Christa, decided to contact the local council and request for improvements to be made to the busy intersection.
Two council representatives visited Ronda, and accompanied her and Christa as they demonstrated the danger of crossing the intersection at Park Road. Christa also supplied the two council representatives with special glasses that replicated a visual impairment – demonstrating what it feels like to cross the road for Ronda on a daily basis.
As a result, the local council have promised Ronda that they will address the issues at the Park Road- Annerley Road intersection, and plan to redesign the entire intersection within 18 months.
Not only have they committed to making this crossing safer, but within one day, they had also lengthened the amount of time that lights stay red at the Peter Doherty Street-Annerley Road crossing (outside Granston Lodge) so that Ronda can safely cross the road before the light turns green for oncoming traffic.
Thanks to MS Queensland for allowing us to re publish this article.
If you live with MS, you shouldn’t underestimate the impact self-advocacy can have on your well-being, self-confidence and pride.
Ronda Bennett was diagnosed with MS in 2001 and over the years has experienced a gradual loss of mobility in her legs, as well as a visual impairment. She now lives in MS Queensland's primary care facility Granston Lodge and remains engaged with her local community, taking regular outings into the community.
Recently, while trying to manoeuvre her mobility scooter along the crossing of Annerley and Park Roads at Dutton Park, Ronda was becoming increasingly conscious of the concerning and unavoidable blind spots.
Ronda and her Vision Australia Orientation Mobility Specialist, Christa, decided to contact the local council and request for improvements to be made to the busy intersection.
Two council representatives visited Ronda, and accompanied her and Christa as they demonstrated the danger of crossing the intersection at Park Road. Christa also supplied the two council representatives with special glasses that replicated a visual impairment – demonstrating what it feels like to cross the road for Ronda on a daily basis.
As a result, the local council have promised Ronda that they will address the issues at the Park Road- Annerley Road intersection, and plan to redesign the entire intersection within 18 months.
Not only have they committed to making this crossing safer, but within one day, they had also lengthened the amount of time that lights stay red at the Peter Doherty Street-Annerley Road crossing (outside Granston Lodge) so that Ronda can safely cross the road before the light turns green for oncoming traffic.
Thanks to MS Queensland for allowing us to re publish this article.