P.E.I. community rallies to buy new accessible van for woman with disabilities

A group of friends in Western P.E.I. is fundraising to buy a new wheelchair-accessible van for 66-year-old Gloria Ellsworth. Ellsworth is quadraplegic and lives in St. Peter and St. Paul, just outside Tignish. Twenty-seven years ago, the community fundraised and bought a van and ramp for her. She is still using that same 1989 Ford van today.

"We went to New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, and around P.E.I. I went everywhere everybody asked me to go," said Ellsworth. "I go visit my grandchildren, and great grands, and my daughter. She just lives in Charlottetown, but that's kind of far when you have an old van."

Ellsworth relies on people in the community to drive her places. June Gaudet is a friend and relative of Ellsworth, and is one of those spearheading the fundraising campaign.

"[The van] has worked really well, but now it's showing its age and we have to do something," said Gaudet, adding the van has broken down on recent occasions, leaving Ellsworth and her driver stranded on the side of the road. Gaudet says the van is having ongoing engine issues, the radio is broken, and the driver's door no longer closes properly.

You just pretend you're not disabled and you keep going.- Gloria Ellsworth

"She deserves better," she said.

Ellsworth has limited use of her hands and has relied on a wheelchair to get around since February 1974, when she was shot by Ernest DesRoches, who lived nearby. DesRoches also shot and killed her Ellsworth's sister and brother-in-law at their home the same night. He is still serving time in an Ontario prison for those crimes.

Since then, Ellsworth says she has made every effort to stay active and social in the community.

"You just pretend you're not disabled and you keep going. You pretend you're the same as the rest. Don't let that stop you. Well I have the gift of the gab, so I might as well use it," she said with a laugh.

Volunteers 'worth a million'

The van has played a big role in her life.

"If I get a better one it'll be just great. I'll be able to go further. I wouldn't have to worry when I get in it, if I'm going to make it or not," she said.

When asked about Gaudet and the other volunteers raising money to buy her a new van, she simply says "they're worth a million."

Community volunteers have been collecting donations around West Prince, and many people have been giving to the cause at the credit unions in Tignish and Alberton, where an charitable account has been set up. Ellsworth's granddaughter has also set up a 'gofundme' website to collect donations online.

New van will cost $35,000

Gaudet says they have raised about $11,000 so far. She says a newer van with a wheelchair lift will likely cost around $35,000.

"It means a lot to know that it's there if she needs to go somewhere. Even if she's sick and she needs to go to the hospital, versus having the ambulance come, someone can take her in. It really is a gift for her," she said.

The fundraising efforts continue until July 31, when a fundraising variety show will be held in Ellsworth's honour at the Tignish Parish Centre.

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