Man who was denied DATS service will be getting help sooner rather than later

His story touched many people in the Edmonton area and now, Blaine Dalby will be getting help sooner rather than later.

Dalby used to take a DATS bus to and from his foster mother’s home. However, in December Canada Post changed the address from an Edmonton one to a Leduc address.

Since then, DATS has refused pick up because the company does not provide service outside Edmonton city limits, even though the bus drives right by the home on its route.

Dalby has been forced to drive 2km in his wheelchair to a neighbour’s home, in Edmonton for pickup.

Friday afternoon, the city and DATS met with Dalby and his foster mother, Heather Graham, about the situation.

“They want to see Blaine being picked up at the door and dropped off. They do not want to see him driving down the road any longer, in his wheelchair, with all the trucks,” Graham explains.

She says there is no solution yet, as it will take some time but, the meeting went very well and they’re both extremely happy with the outcome.

“Their hearts were just full today, it was a great meeting and we’re very, very happy,” Graham says adding, “I almost started crying right in the meeting, it was such a positive meeting.”

“It was very good. I’m very happy about the outcome,” says Dalby adding, “I’m looking forward to going home soon.”

Dalby says he is happy about all the people who have spoken out in support of him and what he’s trying to do.

“Even on the Global Facebook news page when we ran this story. They’re saying ‘come on DATS, why don’t you let this poor man come home? It’s what he wants to do’.”

Both Dalby and Graham say they are overwhelmed with the support they’ve received from the community.

With files from Julie Matthews.