I was up and out at 07:00 this morning, driving through the first rains of the day from Herzliya to Hod Hasharon. C lives in Hod Hasharon and has to get to school by 07:45(-ish). She is always a little late, rushing at wheelchair top speed to be lifted on the specially adapted wheelchair lift, on the Barbie pink transport CARE BUS. Then we set off to school; its 5 minutes down the road and round the corner! We had a chat & a laugh on the way (which is uplifting for her rather than a sour faced, hardened driver who no longer cares…).
07:40 I left M school heading for the next disabled boy, aged 8, who goes to a special rehab school with his mother 3 times a week. I parked the pink minibus as close as I could to the apartment block entrance so they did not have to walk too far. I always pay attention to not blocking other cars or driveways with my big bus. I got the screen ready to put on a DVD for the boy…he loves to see Dora or Artur. It’s a half hours’ ride to the rehab centre, so they relax on the way in the comfortable CARE BUS.
12:10 – return to Rehab Centre, Raanana.
I had to wait about 10 minutes as my passengers were a little late. I don’t mind waiting a few minutes…its normal with disabled passengers. There is always something last minute that can cause a delay. It’s good to be patient. We returned quickly to Hod Hasharon – the traffic was clear for a change – where I dropped them off at home by 12:50.
13:30
I collected the companion E on my way to the next school, in His Hasharon. This boy has a disability but is not wheelchair bound. It’s a quick trip 10 minutes up the road to drop him off at home.
14:30 – 14:45
Returning to M school to collect C for the home journey.
15:00 – 15:45
I drove from Hod Hasharon to Ramat Gan/Sheba Hospital on the best route according to Gmaps…still took forever!
S has been my regular passenger since Pesach. She goes home from rehab 2ce a week to spend time with her babies. I go into the ward to collect her and return her to the ward. This is a personal service that no other transport company will offer. I take my work seriously and care for my passengers.
We drove to Ramat Hasharon, after a nasty traffic jam, trying to get out of the Sheba exit booms…
17:30
I collected B from the O special school Tel Aviv north. Her and her caregiver were at Crembo Wings: fun social time for the disabled. I drove them home to Hod Hasharon. This time i put a movie on for her…she loved it.
21:00
Last trip of the day was taking S back to Sheba. S told me she was exhausted. There was a little rain, so instead of chatting we listened to the music on the radio, while I concentrated on the road.
CARE BUS is more than just a carrier providing transfers… those less fortunate, or experiencing health issues deserve a quality of life, to get out and be part of the world. Just because they are disabled and use hardware doesn’t mean they can’t live…
