Snowy slippery sidewalk side-eye

My favourite aunt is disabled.

Now, of course, I love all my aunties, but I have a special bond with my Mother’s sister, to the point where I call her my second Mom.

She has this gnarly genetic disease called Osteogenesis Imperfecta (I had to google the spelling) that basically makes her bones so brittle that if she falls down, something breaks. And she has what is considered the “mild” form of the disease.

She perseveres, going through endless surgeries and dealing with the kind of pain that would have me balled up in my bathtub, sobbing and demanding oxycontin while she just breaks out the regular strength Tylenol and moves on with her day.

Living in a slippery prairie province has not treated her well. Walking long distances is a struggle, and Winnipeg’s sidewalks are… well, they’re terrible.

Have you ever tried to push a wheelchair through the snow on a crumbling sidewalk, even if it’s shovelled? Yeah, it’s tricky. Some winters, she ends up a virtual prisoner in her home. I rescue her when I can, but it’s not as easy as 1. Putting on shoes, and 2. Walking out the door.

Canada has (sort of) embraced the whole idea that equity for all means designing our public spaces so anyone can use them. But any disability advocate will tell you that we don’t do nearly enough. And considering about one-quarter of Canadians live with a disability, we’re not talking about a tiny segment of the population here, folks.

Which is why I was so pleased to see this $30 million announcement from the Slaight Family Foundation Tuesday, which will go to support disability organizations across the country.

The foundation says it’s the largest gift of its kind in Canadian history. (I haven’t been able to find anything to dispute that.) The foundation said the money will help with accessible buildings, schools and infrastructure, and increase access to care, housing, equipment and much more. This is wonderful.

But what isn’t wonderful is the need for this gift at all. Canada has a long way to go make our public spaces work for everyone.

I’d be happy if we start with sidewalks.