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Tackling lifestyle barriers

Tetra Society eases living burdens for physically disabled
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Volunteers are ready and able to help make life easier for those faced with physical disabilities.

But for the Okanagan chapter of the Tetra Society of North America, the available volunteers exceed the work being called for.

“Currently, we find ourselves in a unique situation,” said Ean Price, the Tetra Okanagan chapter coordin- ator.

“The number of skilled volunteers available to take on projects outnumbers the available projects. We at Tetra are trying to reach potential clients to let them know who we are, what we do, and how we can help.”

The Tetra Society operates 45 chapters across Canada and the U.S., a non-profit organization founded in 1987 in Vancouver that recruits skilled volunteers to create customized assistive devices for people with physical disabilities.

The focus of the devices is to tackle barriers to mobility, personal care and communications within households—kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms—and other environments such as vehicles or places of business.

No medical documentation is required and the devices created are free.

Price says the Central Okanagan chapter covers from Lake Country to Penticton, while Vernon also has its own Tetra chapter.

“No challenge is deemed too great or too small,” added Price. “In short, customized assistive devices, created by Tetra, focus on improving a person’s quality of life.”

He said people who require customized equipment help in their lives often don’t know where to turn.

“When it comes to customization, we can help fill a huge void,” he said.

The Tetra chapter members meet in the Kelowna area usually once a month at the downtown Kelowna library.

To inquire about what Tetra volunteers can do for you, Price says the public can learn more about the Tetra Society online at tetrasociety.org and also either contact him at 250-863-0650 or email TetraOkanagan@gmail.com.



Barry Gerding

About the Author: Barry Gerding

Senior regional reporter for Black Press Media in the Okanagan. I have been a journalist in the B.C. community newspaper field for 37 years...
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