6/13/07
Dean Mattix
Director
*******
*****
CC: Customer Service
YMCA of the USA
101 North Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60606
Dear Mr. Mattix,
Hi, it’s
Ivy Kennedy again. I spoke with you a few times on the phone. During those
times I felt that you didn’t fully understand my frustration, which is why I’m
writing you. I feel like these many phone calls are going nowhere and if you
wish to speak with me again, set an appointment time. I want to speak with
somebody face to face.
I have
Cerebral Palsy and having access to a pool benefits my muscles. It was my main
reason for joining the YMCA. I feel like I’m being ripped off and almost want
my membership fee back. The past two times I have visited the Mt. Trashmore
YMCA, the lift that lowers me into the pool wasn’t working. As a result I
wasn’t able to get in the pool. If it happens again, I will ask for my money
back.
I
received a call from Lauren, the aquatics director shortly, after my last
visit. She explained that the lift’s battery didn’t have a secure seal with the
base, which was why it wasn’t working. An eraser was needed to clean off the
connection. That’s ridiculous! If you have to do that to a piece of machinery
for it to operate it’s time to replace it. I pay a good chunk of money to be a
member. Take that money and buy a new lift.
In all,
I’ve had about three phone calls returned to me about this matter in a span of
four months. Nothing’s being done, just tons of lip service. When I speak to
staff and lifeguards there nobody’s on the same page. The conflicting reports
need to stop. It only adds to my anger. Who’s supposed to operate the lift, my
companion or lifeguard? I’ve been told my companion which seems wrong to me. I
would think the lifeguard is supposed to operate it for liability reasons. Can
the lift be used on the outside pool? My wheelchair has access through the
halls to the outside pool so why can’t the lift use the same path? Why aren’t
all lifeguards trained on the pool lift regulations and operating procedures? I
suggest that they should be trained so everybody’s on the same page. I also
suggest that it be somebody’s responsibility that the pool lift’s battery be
charged everyday.
In fact,
I remember suggesting a ramp be installed to give access from the inside to
outside pool when I first joined the YMCA. It’s a very large step and a ramp
could be incorporated inexpensively. As it is now, I have to travel down halls
around to the outside pool. Not to mention disrupt a lifeguard to unlock the
gate to let me in. Has my suggestion been ignored or is the YMCA waiting for
funds?
I’ll
remind you that non-profit organizations that serve the public such as the YMCA
are effected by the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). More specifically
Title III, of the ADA Places of Public Accommodation. Both of your pools should
be accessible to people with disabilities.
I see on your business card the
YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs
that build healthy sprit, mind and body for all. That’s just the icing on the cake for me. I feel like I’m being blown
off and discriminated against. Not very Christian is it?
Your
disgruntled customer,
Ivy
K.
Responses/Results:
6/19/07: Dean called me. We had a long chat. I
also had gone to my local Recreation Center that day to scope it out. They too
dealt with pool lifts, which I told Dean. I offered two more suggestions. To
keep the lift in a dry place away from the moisture of the pool, and to
consider buying a portable ramp that could be placed in the shallow part of the
pool. The ramp could be moved easier than a lift to the outside pool. The usage
of the ramp would mean no mechanical devices that would break and need
maintenance. I also told the Rec Center lady about the ramp and the benefits.
She said she’d been lobbying for a pool lift to be purchased for that Center.
That was the closest Rec Center to me and it had no lift. 6/21/07: called
my local Rec and the same lady told me they were working on getting a ramp for
the pool.
In my opinion all pools constructed in this century
should be designed with a sloping entrance in the shallow end.
1/25/08: I took a little rest from the pool
crusade. But now I’m at it again. Thanks to a friend at the Endependence Center who
told me a couple pools to check out, I found a pool with a ramp. Ironically
it’s at a park I’ve been going to for years with Brian. Right under my nose! At
Northside Park. I’m still not that pleased because it’s not
close to home. I plan on getting a presentation together and showing it to my
city’s Parks and Rec. Hopefully I can use pictures from James City and Williamsburg Community Center. Their pool
has a zero-depth entry which is the proper term, of the characteristic I’m
looking for. No mechanical pool lifts to purchase and often corrode and break
with use of zero-depth entry pools. Plus they’re beneficial to young children
and the elderly.
4/30/08: Read my nine page advocacy report on the
need for a zero-depth entry pool in my area. Click here
8/22/08: Sent a thank you note to
the staff and the city’s park and rec thanking them for the zero-depth entry
pool I’d been using for the past few months. Click here to read
2/23/10: One of the city rec’s in my area has a
detachable pool ramp and pool wheelchair now! This rec is much closer to me. My
advocacy report made a difference. Only thing is, is I didn’t hear about it
until a couple days after I joined Planet Fitness. Gawd! Planet Fitness
seems to be very understanding. Maybe I can get out of my membership and join
the rec?
LAMO! – I have bugged the shit out of every workout facility in my area!!!!!!!!!