Letter: Abandoned e-scooters making life miserable for those who rely on their mobility scooter

By James Tubb on June 21, 2022.

Dear editor,

I am seriously considering MAID (medically assisted in dying) because of growing health concerns and the continuing loss of my mobility.

I am now 95% wheelchair dependent and cannot even tie my own shoes because of arthritis in my back. The sad part is I cannot enjoy what could be my last summer days riding around the city in my chair or mobility scooter. 

These “share-a-ride” scooters are being left blocking the sidewalks and paths of people with mobility problems and vision impairments. 

I had two blocking my path within three blocks of my home. While it may be an inconvenience for some people, they are major obstacles or roadblocks for people like myself that live with wheels under us.

Our chairs are not toys of convenience, they’re our legs. 

And maybe if the city council got out of their ableist attitudes they would recognize the abuse that is happening with these share a ride scooters.

I’ll ask if Mayor Clark and the city councillors would like to spend a week in one of my chairs and let me take them on a tour of the city. But something tells me, that would be too inconvenient for them.

Les Landry

Medicine Hat

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