Wheeler's Wish

[XLFD]

There are fewer things sadder than knowing somebody who had dreams of doing something special with their life, but never got to see those dreams realized because their life ended all too soon. Even a casual acquaintance with a simple desire unrealized can bring us to mourn as much for the goal not attained as for the person. Such a case in point was noted by Ludington citizen Dianne Seelhoff in relating a public comment about one of her neighbors in the Fourth Ward who died in February.

"A man who lived in the Fourth Ward died last Tuesday. I really don't know a lot about him, because I just met him a couple of years ago. But the times I talked with him he was concerned about the community. Honest, intelligent down to earth.
Although he apparently suffered a lot in life, he had a happy personality and showed dignity and courage. I knew that he liked to watch the sunset over the Pere Marquette Lake. He would come alive talking about fishing. It seems that nothing would have made him happier than to have a fishing pole in his hands during a calm sunset. He lamented to me every time I saw him, how he longed to go down to the lake and fish, but had to stay on top of the hill, sitting in his wheelchair.
His name was Brandon Wheeler Sr., I found out from the obituary in the paper that he was only 52 years old. Brandon told me how hard it was for him to get around our neighborhood in a wheelchair, with no curb cuts at major intersections near Copeyon Park and he couldn't maneuver his wheelchair down the hill because there's no sidewalk and the road is too bumpy and steep. And besides, he said if he got someone to help him down the hill the handicapped fishing dock had been removed."

The comment was noted in the 2-11-19 minutes, but nothing else was ever said about the unfulfilled wish of Brandon Wheeler Sr. There has been more discussion about the handicapped-inaccessibility issue of Copeyon Park as regards the splash pad planned to be erected there, but these have been countered by proponents for the addition claiming that the disabled can get down there, they just need someone else to drive them down there. And drive them back up.

They reason that if a man like Brandon Wheeler wants to just enter the nearby park easily within walking distance for you and I, all he needs to do is call dial-a-ride or an adult friend who's not busy doing something else, have them go through all the bells and whistles of loading and unloading Brandon and his wheelchair and then wait for another call when he's through. Consider the additional planning and steps needed if Brandon didn't have a cell phone (as was the general case 20 years ago). Do these people not realize how belittling it is for those in wheelchairs to not be able to enter their ward's park without all of this extra effort?

The nearby sidewalks also work against other 'wheelers'. Curb cuts allow easy passage across Second Street (the street nearest the park entrance), but lack curb cuts on either side of the street to cross the much more trafficked Washington Street. The nearest curb cut to get across Washington just happens to be the aforementioned Ms. Seelhoff's driveway, which is likely where she and Brandon interacted. It's where schoolchildren from the nearby PM Early Childhood Center use when they go to the park. This was just poor planning on the City's part.

Brandon Wheeler was never able to attain his wish, but in that dream perhaps we can build a legacy. For those wanting the splash pad placed in Copeyon Park, build a safe, handicap-accessible route into the park first and foremost rather than as a later supplement for money that may never become available. Allow young kids not only the ability to ride their bicycle safely into the park, but also allow wheelchair-bound kids that route too. Allow handicapped parents and grandparents the joy of rolling into the park next to their kids and grandkids strolling with them. Brandon would have surely loved to have done that with his grandsons.

Until an ADA compliant entrance becomes a priority for the group proposing a splash pad, let me propose an alternate donation site. One of our local angels has set up a Go-Fund Me site for funeral expenses for Brandon Wheeler Sr. (GoFundMe, Funeral Expenses BW), where you can donate $50, more or less.

And whereas you won't be able to get a trip to Vegas or Orlando due to that donation, you will help his widow and family with being able to pay the expenses they need at this time. Who knows, maybe that will help you take a trip up to a loftier place one of these days.

[Du Wright]

Thank you for bringing this to light. Very nice article, about a sad situation. Even a simple dream of going down the hill to have fun fishing is a dream I hope our city takes as an important service and an obligation to all, especially those limited by mobility.

[XLFD]

Thank you for relating the somber message at the council meeting, and hopefully letting them know that regardless of whether the splash pad is put in Copeyon Park, and whether the fishing pier in whatever form is installed once again, that there needs to be a way for everyone to safely stroll or roll into the park and enjoy what it has to offer.

Thanks for pointing out the area's curb cut situation as well.  It almost seems as if the City leaders know Copeyon's entrance is unsafe for wheelchairs and have created sidewalks to steer them away.  

[Du Wright]

Yes. It defies doing what is right, not putting the curb cuts in WHEN the sidewalk was recently altered and after multiple times of bringing the to the council's attention. You can see by the picture that a replaced ramp with the red rubber was put crossing north/south but that the east/west ramp which would have got people across the street was not done at that time. Also the sidewalk in front of pere point was not provided with curb cuts. We really need those fixed and cross marks, imo. This issue has been sent directly in memo to the council and the previous city manager multiple times in the past few years, and brought to the former fourth ward councilor a year before the Pere Point sidewalk was built. It does make one wonder why something as simple as a curb cut is not done. Hopefully our new city manager will be more proactive.

[Pheonix Emory]

Very much enjoyed reading this story.  Barrier free is so very important for people to enjoy their lives un-stigmitized.   

Is there an address donations can be sent to rather than GoFundMe?  If so, please let me know.

[XLFD]

I generally limit my number of feature stories, but I'm glad you enjoyed this one with an underlying message.  I'm not aware of any alternative donation site other than to check with Oak Grove Funeral Home to see whether there's an outstanding debt.  Normally, I might suggest donating to agencies that advocate for getting wheelchair access to public facilities, but I am led to believe that unexpected funeral expenses would be tough on Brandon's surviving family members.

[Willy]

Thanks for posting this X.

[Freedom Seeker]

It is sad when a city council allows a private group a pet project which will cost near $400,000 and additional maintenance when they ignore the need for a sidewalk, not just for disabled people but it just makes sense to have a sidewalk for all the children.