HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — A physical therapist in Huntsville says she has pleaded for years to get a sidewalk installed for her wheelchair bound patients.
Karen Hislop, the owner of Therapy Achievements, said that most of her patients have mobility issues.
They use wheelchairs, walkers and canes, and when they leave the office after therapy to take public transportation, they have to make their way on to the busy L and N Drive because there’s no sidewalk to keep them from possible harm.
“Their only option for cars to avoid hitting them is to swerve into the oncoming traffic lane,” Hislop explained. “However, if there’s traffic and those lanes are filled with traffic, they can’t do that. It’s a hazard not only for the person who’s trying to negotiate the area but also for the drivers.”
When Walmart was built next door to her facility, she said that the bus stop was moved from the parking lot and onto the street.
Hislop says that for some, medical transportation is an inconvenience because of the long waiting time for a pickup. Since 2023, she said she has advocated to city leaders and to the American People with Disabilities for an answer.
“The bottom line is that I’ve reached out to the planning department to see what they could do about putting this project in as quickly as possible,” said Huntsville city council member Bill Kling.
Kling met with Hislop and informed her that, with the existence of the many stores in the area, he will do everything that he can to get a sidewalk as quickly as possible.
“I’m very hopeful that my extra efforts in trying to state the urgency of this will have an effect,” Hislop said.
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