8 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER August 2022
Aging
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gate the stairs to your front door ? Or the dear friend who makes excuses not to visit because he knows he won ’ t be able to access the bathroom easily ? Wouldn ’ t it be terrible to find out that an invitation was turned down because someone we care about was too embarrassed to admit that they could no longer get in our home ?
The Disability Act of 2005 defines universal design as “ The design and composition of an environment so that it may be accessed , understood and used
... without the need for adaptation , modification , assistive devices or specialized solutions , by any persons of any age or size or having any particular physical , sensory , mental health or intellectual ability or disability .” In other words , anyone can access anything in your home with ease . Many of us may feel that our home meets this definition because it is easily functional for our current needs . That is likely true ... until it ’ s not .
In a Nov . 28 , 2018 online article for Architectural Digest titled “ Americans Need Home Design that Welcome Everyone ,” author Aileen Kwun interviewed a woman named Rosemarie Rosetti . On a bike ride in 1998 , a tree fell on her and
she became paralyzed from the waist down . After being released from the hospital and much rehabilitative therapy , she came home and realized , “ Fifty percent of my home became inaccessible , I couldn ’ t get through doorways that were too narrow for a wheelchair . I couldn ’ t get around furniture . I couldn ’ t get a glass of water because I couldn ’ t reach the glasses — I couldn ’ t even reach the sink .” In an instant , the home that had worked just fine when she left for a bike ride now was impossible for her to live in . We all hope that our physical health will not change so dramatically but the reality is that we are all just one broken ankle or strained back muscle away from needing a grab-bar in the bathroom
and a bench in the shower , aren ’ t we ?
Beginning those conversations now , before we need them , means that we are prepared for the day that we do . If you ’ re lucky , you will have an annoying child ( or daughter-in-law ) who loves you enough to force the conversation over a glass of wine . If you ’ re not , you can reach out to me . I ’ m always prepared with a bottle of wine and free consultations !
Jackie Haddon is a certified aging in place specialist and senior real estate specialist with O ’ Donnell Group Realty . She provides project consultation services through Jackie Haddon Homes ( www . jackiehaddonhomes . com ) and free community presentations through the Oregon Senior Panel ( www . oregonseniorpanel . com ).
Civic Affairs
By STEVE SWITZER
Wilsonville mayor raises concerns about tolling proposal
The Oregon Department of Transportation continues to move forward on a plan to convert a section of I-205 to a toll road . However , in the latest turn of
SWITZER events , ODOT ’ s toll evaluation study area includes all of I-205 from I-5 to the Columbia River , as well as I-5 from the Boone Bridge ( Willamette River ) to the Columbia Boulevard interchange .
The city of Wilsonville has voiced concerns about the proposal to the department
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since the plan suggests a toll station right at the Boone Bridge . If the proposed plan is implemented , Charbonneau residents would be required to pay a toll every time they crossed the bridge into the city . In the city ’ s letter to ODOT , Wilsonville Mayor Julie Fitzgerald specifically mentions the 3,000 residents of Charbonneau who use the interstate for local services . The city suggested several alternatives and precedent that would allow local residents to cross the bridge without the toll . The mayor requested an extension and ODOT moved the deadline to Sept . 15 so residents can voice their concerns directly .
To be clear , the whole process is in the public input stage and nothing has been decided . We encourage everyone here in Charbonneau to go on the ODOT website and see the plan for themselves . The deadline for public input is Sept . 15 so you can still voice your opinion on the issue . We also encourage
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you to contact the city of Wilsonville and reinforce their message that splitting the city in two with a toll road at the bridge is not good policy . We also encourage contacting the Oregon Department of Transportation directly via email . That information is also on their website . Finally , as the election draws near , letting our elected representative know your opinion is imperative . The CCC Board will also be moving forward on contacting ODOT and our elected officials with our concerns for the proposal .
There have been several public meetings on the ODOT plans and Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas is on record opposing the plan due to the impacts such a toll road would have on the county . It is feared that the toll road would cause increased traffic on both 65th Ave . and Stafford Road , as well as Highway 99 in Canby as commuters seek to avoid the toll .
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Boys & Girls Aid
By MARGIE WIESENTHAL
Adam ’ s story is a reason why we do what we do
When Adam was 4 years old he was taken from his parents because they were abusing him and abusing each other . He was placed in a foster home . “ Oh , good ,” he thought . “ Now no more big people hitting me .” He
WIESENTHAL stayed at that house for about six weeks . Then he started to think about all the abuse he had suffered and it made him very angry . The result was that he started to throw things and act in a violent manner .
Because of his behavior he was sent away from that family to another foster family . While
AID / Page 9
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