Opinion : Letter to the Editor: An important option for the handicapped

By Betty Thorsvig AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT DID NOT KNOW THIS? We have lived here for 6 years. Our daughter is handicapped, in a wheel chair. She swam on the VHS swim team. We have used the Vinton Public Pool many, many times over the years. Our daughter has an extremely difficult time getting into Vinton's Public Pool and even more so getting out of it. When we can, we have used the walk-in pool at La Porte City. So this week, I called the Park & Recreation Center and spoke to Duane Randall. Before I could explain much of what I said above; he informed me - "Oh yes, we have A LIFT!" WHAT? WHEN? AWESOME! "Oh, we have had it at least 5 years - it's in the storage room; but no one has used it." HELLO!!!!! How could anyone - WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT. I explained that the life guards NEVER ONCE mentioned it or offered. There are NO SIGNS on the pool building; nor is it mentioned on the webpage - to which I suggested there should be. This is a big deal to the elderly and disabled. So, that brings me back to my title: AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT DID NOT KNOW THIS. ***Handicap alert***