Happily Barrier-free Trip to Changhua

Happily Experiencing a Barrier-free Short Trip to Changhua

After cooperating with Crown Taxi last July in pioneering a new way of taking barrier-free taxis to go travel, this time TFRD continued to organize a one-day trip to Changhua, based on the principle of having the patients picked up from their homes and brought back. On October 31, 30 passengers, including 14 patients in wheelchairs or with mobility concerns and their families, were taken to their destination by the Taiwan Taxi's drivers in the Taichung region.

This trip was made possible by the cooperation with Ourcitylove. Through iTaxi Wheelchair-Accessible Taxis Booking System of the Ministry of Transportation, Ourcitylove recruited many Taiwan Taxi's drivers, who were the indispensable helpers of this event. We arrived at our first stop, Flower & Tree Bank with more than 5,000 trees in Changhua's Ping-He Community, where many seedlings from local villagers are kept until they are grown up to be taken back by their owners. The whole area of Flower & Tree Bank is barrier-free, which makes it easy for the visitors in wheelchairs to roam in the natural environment, taking and laughing leisurely with each other to start a wonderful day.

Later, we came to the century-old Shunda Brick Kiln Factory. While walking on the road used to transport bricks in the past, we witnessed the prosperity of Taiwan's red brick culture. During the DIY time, everyone made their own small pot for plants with red bricks one by one. Whenever a creative pot came out of the brick kiln, people's faces were filled with happy and contented smiles.

In the afternoon, we reached the Taiwan Rice Museum. Pop rice DIY is the most anticipated! For many people, pop rice is not only a snack but also a childhood memory. In the atmosphere charged with the scent of rice, the old and young friends worked hard to press the popped rice and cut it into pieces, which is fun and full of a sense of achievement. In the end, TFRD sent rice-related souvenirs to each participant. It was difficult for them to make a trip. Everyone bought so many things that a driver couldn't help but smile and say to a member, "madam, what a good harvest today!"

On the evening after the trip, we received a lot of positive feedback from the patients about the trip: "This time, it's great to have a barrier-free taxi to pick me up and drop me off at my home! And the barrier-free facilities of the sites are well designed. Thank you all for your arrangements and lots of gifts. Thank you so much." "I'm so touched and felt gaining a lot. I made the acquaintance of many patients with different illnesses. What these parents have done for their children is really not easy." An ALS grandma, unable to speak, wrote: "It is the first time I went out to participate in such a meaningful event. My distress is relieved and I don't know how to express my gratitude in words!" Their feedback makes us moved and warm.

Reviewing the feedback from the patients, we realize that this trip is not just about fun. It is about healing the body and mind by trying our best to help those who cannot go out easily to get closer to nature. We will do it again. See you next year.

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)