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The Story of
Vaya con Silla de Ruedas, S.A.
Yesterday I was asked to write an article for a local newspaper
about our company's philosophy and history. Although I was pleased
to have an opportunity to tell others who we are and how this
all came about, I needed something to motivate me. I went to
sleep contemplating what I was going to write for the paper.
Then at 5:00 a.m. this morning like a cannon shot the first
fireworks for el 15 de Setiembre de la Independencia awakened
me. As Costa Ricans celebrate their 176th year of independence
we should all appreciate the fundamental freedoms which accompany
living in a democracy. For example, free speech, the right to
assemble peacefully, the right to vote, fair and speedy trials,
and the rights of privacy just to mention a few. Of course behind
all of these is the freedom of movement, which most of us who
are able-bodied can perform without too much difficulty.
However, what about the movement of those persons who are
handicapped? Do we ever think about how people with wheelchairs
move about? Most of us we probably don't want to dwell on such
thoughts. Perhaps the only time we might consciously think about
these people would be if we saw them sitting in a shopping mall
or struggling to navigate over a curb en el Centro. Let us remember
that they are people, who might possibly be family members, friends,
neighbors or even ourselves. Any one of us could become disabled
tomorrow due to an accident, illness, old age or some other reason.
The disabled are citizens of our local and world community with
the same rights and privileges that we have. Of course, in reality
their world is more arduous because it is harder to move about
in a wheelchair without special transportation/equipment, "wheelchair
friendly" locations with ramps and/or other assistance.
When I came to Costa Rica last summer, there were disabled
students from the United States who also wanted to study Spanish.
My instructor told me that although they could not be denied
the same opportunity as the other students they were discouraged
from coming. This was due to the lack of handicapped-equipped
facilities and public or private transportation services. The
latter are practically nil, and the former are almost non-existent
in Costa Rica. It was rather appalling that these conditions
existed in such a tourist friendly country. I realized that providing
these services and facilities requires a lot of money, sound
legislation such as the American Disabilities Act (ADA), public
awareness, and a strong commitment from the private sector.
This past April I returned to Costa Rica and spoke with many
tour and travel companies throughout the country. I asked them
what they thought of my idea to start a tour/transportation service
for disabled people. All of the agents and operators were enthused
and supportive about the idea. According to them no such service
existed in Costa Rica and the industry definitely needed to provide
the disabled traveler adequate transportation. This convinced
and committed me to somehow start the business. I then went ahead
and found a lawyer, Sr. Arturo Blanco Paez, in order to form
a Sociedad Anonima (S.A.). On April 21st the corporation was
registered.
Initially I had a dream of starting the business and could
only envision an ideal situation of providing this service. In
reality its takes a lot of effort, finances, practical skills
and lots of luck in putting any business together. One evening
last April I attended a seder (religious dinner) at the San Jose
Palacio Hotel and there by chance sat across from Sr. James Hirsch,
a Costa Rican. In the course of the evening we naturally spoke
about our interests. Although our lives and backgrounds are somewhat
different we discovered something unique. That is, we shared
the same vision about setting up a transportation service for
the disabled in Costa Rica. The next day we had lunch, mapped
out a basic mission, shook hands and became partners.
During this past summer I returned to the United States in
order to find a vehicle that would meet our needs to transport
wheelchair-bound people. This was due to the fact that we were
unable to find one here in Costa Rica. Fortunately, after a long
and laborious search throughout the country I was able to find
and buy a full-size Ford van that could meet our needs. A conversion
factory specializing in handicap vehicles installed the essential
and required ADA-approved equipment including: special elevator,
track & tie downs, full safety belts, extended roof &
rear doors, backup warning system, and air conditioning throughout.
In addition it is equipped with a portable collapsible ramp for
places that are not designed to accommodate wheelchairs. Upon
completing all of the above work, I drove the van over 4,000
miles from California to Costa Rica.
Vaya con Silla de Ruedas literally translated means
Go with Wheelchairs. I thought up the name one
day while riding on a bus in San Jose. One must realize that
people in wheelchairs are not able to travel very easily by public
transportation in Costa Rica at this time, unless they are physically
lifted from their chairs into a bus or cab. The concept of traveling
with a wheelchair is more appealing than the commonly used or
literal term of "in a wheelchair." Our company is dedicated
to the belief that disabled people can be transported with their
wheelchairs anywhere that our van is able to take them. This
will be accomplished by practicing the highest safety standards
utilizing ADA-approved equipment and using extreme care for our
passengers at all times. In essence we are a multi-purpose tour/transportation
company serving the wheelchair disabled. We can take the tourist
to places that were either difficult or impossible for them to
visit in the past and for the residents we'll provide an easier
way to get around locally.
Our first month of operation has consisted of giving demonstrations
at shopping malls, senior citizen homes, schools, rehabilitation
centers, and hospitals. Furthermore, we have contacted various
companies and organizations in the travel industry that are interested
in our specialty. Last week Carol Weir, managing editor of the
Tico Times interviewed and had photographs taken of us for an
upcoming article in two weeks. We will also be giving other interviews
to the media in the near future.
As part of our custom we plan to contribute a portion of our
time to community work. We would like to take a disabled person
to a hotel or attraction that is wheelchair accessible. This
will be rendered on a regular basis with participating establishments.
On our first trip we'll be taking a disabled youth and their
parent to the Strawberry Farm Bed and Breakfast in Carrizal de
Alajuela, owned by Claudia Grimm. This child will be chosen from
an academic or talent contest held at the rehabilitation school
near La Sabana Parque. Candidates in the future will be selected
in a like manner.
I believe that we are the first company to offer this kind
of professional transportation service to disabled people in
Costa Rica. This is an important and extremely needed service
for the travel industry as well as for the local people. Naturally
we would like the help and cooperation of all those we will be
coming in contact with whether you are hoteliers, restaurant
owners, shopkeepers, security guards, or the general public.
Our van is bright yellow and is easily recognizable. It has a
white sign with blue lettering bearing our name Vaya con Silla
de Ruedas on either side. Any assistance and understanding
on behalf of our passengers from you will be greatly appreciated
by our staff. We hope that our recognition and success will help
heighten public awareness and concern regarding the needs of
the disabled.
Erik J. Shiozaki
San Jose, Costa Rica
September 15, 1997
Photographs and "The Story of Vaya con
Silla de Ruedas, S.A." © 1998 Vaya con Silla de Ruedas,
S.A. They may not be reproduced without written permission from
Vaya con Silla de Ruedas, S.A.
Note: As of April, 1999, Erik Shiozaki is
the sole owner. Mr. James Hirsch is no longer affiliated with
the company.
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