Shanika Thomas, a 16-year-old girl living with cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability, was excited for her first outing to a pool in years. However, her joy turned to disappointment when she arrived at the Burnie Aquatic Centre and discovered the hoist, a crucial piece of equipment for her to access the pool, was broken.
Shanika's mother, Jess Tabart, expressed her frustration, stating that her daughter couldn't understand why she couldn't join others in the water. Despite being told the hoist would be fixed, they returned to find it still broken, leading to further disappointment and a sense of neglect.
The Burnie City Council, which owns the center, issued an apology and explained that the initial attempt to repair the hoist was unsuccessful, leading to the purchase of a new one. The new hoist was installed and expected to be operational by May 10th.
However, Ms. Tabart and disability advocate Belinda Kitto expressed their disappointment that it took over a year to address the issue. They highlighted the importance of accessibility for people with disabilities and the negative impact of social isolation on their mental health. They emphasized the need for inclusive spaces and timely solutions to ensure equal access to recreational activities.