Donate or become a volunteer driver to help elderly and disabled people stay connected to everyday life.
For many of us, leaving home, visiting shops, meeting friends, and attending cultural events are part of everyday life. However, in Estonian society there are many people for whom this is not something self-evident, and who, due to health conditions, must navigate life in a wheelchair.
The Situation of People with Disabilities and Elderly People
Jüri Lehtmets, Chairman of the Estonian Muscular Diseases Society and one of Estonia’s best-known advocates for people with disabilities, describes the situation as follows:
“The main problem is that not every family can afford to purchase a personal accessible minibus. The Estonian Muscular Diseases Society was once one of the initiators of Tallinn’s accessible transport service. Today, accessible minibuses are operating, but they are not always available at suitable times. The City of Tallinn currently operates only three accessible minibuses, while the number of people in need is significantly higher. Moreover, if you are a frequent user, your usage limit is quickly exhausted.
Jüri continues:
“The problem is even more severe in municipalities where there is either no accessible minibus at all or where it is only available with very long advance notice. The service is mainly used for travelling to medical appointments. Attending cultural events is often not considered important enough or is seen as a personal leisure activity."
In my own case, the situation is somewhat better because I have a personal bus parked outside my home. However, another problem arises here — it is not always easy to find someone willing to sit behind the wheel and drive where needed.”
According to Jüri, this is why acquiring new accessible vehicles for people with mobility difficulties is such a welcome initiative.“
A larger bus would make it possible to attend events together with friends or the community. Social connection is important to us, just as it is for everyone else. Many people with mobility disabilities also face financial difficulties and cannot afford both cultural events and transportation costs at the same time.
Forus has introduced an accessible taxi service to the market, but it is not available in the municipalities surrounding Tallinn. The Forus service only applies within 30 km of the city border; anything farther away is not covered at a discounted rate.”
In reality, mobility challenges affect a much larger group of people than only those with disabilities. Elderly people, for whom leaving home is difficult because of age or health problems, also face serious daily challenges that others may not even notice.
We All Have the Opportunity to Help
The Order of Malta wishes to extend a helping hand and support wheelchair users and elderly people in remaining a full and active part of society. One ordinary journey can mean far more than simple transportation.
Today we keep two accessible buses operating, but we hope to acquire more.
€100 helps transport at least 4 people.
€10 = one support ticket.
In addition to financial donations, we also need volunteers. Someone must sit behind the wheel or help a person in need simply get out of their home.
We invite you to become a volunteer. You also have the opportunity to support our activities financially.
Every contribution matters!
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