Pocono News Section

Handicapped Couple Struggles with Wintry Weather

Handicapped Couple Struggles with Wintry Weather - Wednesday, January 7, 2009 at 5:20PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Jan 7, 2009 @ 05:20pm EST
Williamsport, Lycoming County-

A handicapped couple in Williamsport says they’ve struggled for years with access to transportation when bad weather rolls around.

Alfred Flowers and Frances Lombardo have lived at Berkshire Manor for more than 15 years.

Alfred has been legally blind since birth, and Frances suffers from Spina Bifida. She had a double knee replacement last year.

City buses are their only means of transportation.

Alfred noted, “It’s difficult just to get around on the sidewalks, let alone having to climb over a foot of snow, just to get on the bus safely.”

The couple says getting someone to clear a path to the bus in a timely manner can be a struggle.

Alfred and Frances say piles of snow and ice make it impossible for the bus’s lift to come down correctly, so she can safely get on board.

That’s led them to make repeated phone calls to city hall and the bus company, ending with little to no satisfaction of their problems.

Alfred said, “I’d rather not have to depend on somebody to take me where I need to go. I’m an independent person. I’ve always been, all my life.”

Frances explained, “That’s all we’re asking for is just to help us live our lives independently, like Al says, just like everybody else does.”

But legal experts we spoke with say, in most cases, the sidewalk in front of a building is the responsibility of the property owner or manager.

Alfred and Frances say they just want a fair shake, and a safe path, to get where they need to go.

Frances added, “You know, we are disabled, we are here in the city. We do need to get out, we have a right to get out, just like able-bodied people.”

We spoke with the building’s property manager over the phone.

He categorically denies Frances and Alfred’s claims, adding the sidewalks are always cleared the day of, or morning after, a snowstorm.

However, he said he will try to ensure his workers are even more diligent about the bus path in the future.