MONCTON – A taxi driver in Moncton is hoping to give people with disabilities more freedom.
Robin Henry plans to run the city’s first 24-hour wheelchair-accessible taxi service — an idea that came from his own personal struggles with mobility issues.
Nine years ago, Henry’s legs were crushed in a car accident, which left him unable to walk. He said he feels lucky to be able to make it to his cab.
“It was definitely an eye-opener and I would say at that point it was a very life-changing,” he said.
It took two years of therapy for Henry to regain partial use of his legs.
After years of deep personal struggles, Henry said he finally figured out things happen for a reason. Six month ago he used the money from his accident settlement to buy his wheelchair-accessible taxi.
“I am trying to recruit another driver that will be available on the weekends as well,” he said. “I want this cab to be available 24 hours per day.”
There are other transportation services for people with different abilities in the Moncton area, but many run on limited schedules and pick-ups often have to be booked ahead.
Robin wants to offer his customers more flexibility and the freedom he didn’t have when he was laid up.
“I wasn’t able to socialize and I was stuck home a lot,” he said.
Stephen Eagles, who was injured in an accident three months ago and spent six weeks in a wheelchair, made an instant connection with Henry.
“He mostly just watches me and makes sure that I don’t slip and fall on the ice or I need a hand,” Eagles said.
Henry still struggles to get around, and has rigged his truck to accommodate his own mobility issues. Buttons and levers are all within easy reach, so he doesn’t have to bend over to operate the chair lift.
He said he’s hopeful his accident can produce a much-needed improvement in the city.
“I took a piece of information from the wall of my doctor’s office that said ‘Be the change that you want to see in the world.'”
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