ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Snow-covered sidewalks in Rochester have created challenges for people with disabilities.
John Smith required help from firefighters to free his wheelchair from a snowy sidewalk earlier this month. Smith said there were about three inches of snow on the sidewalk when he got stuck.
He was on his way to a food pantry when his electric wheelchair became immobilized outside his apartment near Union and Charlotte Street.
“I was stuck there for, like, 20 minutes before the firefighters got there. So 20 minutes. That does take a toll,” Smith said.
Smith emphasized that his mobility issues should not confine him to his home.
“Just because I’m in a chair or just because I can’t walk as well as I’d like to shouldn’t mean that I should be homebound,” he said.
Smith’s wheelchair wheels spun in place in the snow, and he called 911 for assistance. Police officers initially attempted to move the chair but were unsuccessful. It took four firefighters to finally free his wheelchair.
“They disengaged locks on my motors so that the motors didn’t play a part,” Smith said. “We were able to get all the way to the street.”
After his experience getting stuck in the snow, Smith believes people need to do more to look after one another.
“We need to be more cognizant of what we’re doing,” he said. “We need to be more cognizant of our environment. We need to be more cognizant of our neighbors.”
Property owners in Rochester are responsible for clearing snow from sidewalks in front of their properties. The city plows sidewalks once more than four inches of new snow accumulates.
Rochester snow traps wheelchair user, firefighters called to help WHEC.com.
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