Recuperation journey: It's always something

Not a good place for a vehicle to give out.

Feeling stressed, yet blessed.

With all that is going on in the world I've been feeling stressed - I realize I'm certainly not alone! It has been a wild 11 months.

But knowing I have caring family and friends  makes me feel blessed.

Yesterday afternoon I was driving our wheelchair accessible van on Division Street after filling the gas tank. 

We had just had a new fuel pump installed the day before. I thought all was OK but alas it was far from it. 

The van died as I was about to go over the train tracks. Everything was off so I couldn’t even put on my hazard lights. 

Local readers know just how much non-stop traffic there is on Division Street on a Saturday afternoon! 

I hopped out of the car, not knowing when the train would be coming by. Three guys stopped to help to no avail.

I am grateful I had my phone with me and was able to reach the place where the van was serviced the day before! 

When I told the owner where I was he immediately drove over with the tow truck and rescued my van … and me. 

I’m feeling very blessed that nothing bad happened. It was a little scary but it all worked out. 

Long story short, more work needs to be done on the van Monday. A new alternator perhaps? 

Ansonia purchases VTD vehicle for use by senior center

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti presents a check to Mark Pandolfi, executive director, Valley Transit District, for a van to be used by the Joseph A. Doyle Senior Center./ Contributed photo


ANSONIA - The Valley Transit District is replacing its 2012 Ford E-450 fleet as per Federal Transit Authority guidelines and Mayor David S. Cassetti and staff seized the opportunity to acquire the van. 
Senior center director Jeff Coppola has identified the need for a van for seniors so more activities can be planned and to make transportation readily available for our seniors.

The Ford E-450 buses are all equipped with W/C lifts and meet all ADA requirements for passenger transportation. All VTD vehicles have followed strict preventative maintenance guidelines throughout their service as required by the Federal Transit Administration and the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The van, which cost $5,000, was paid for with Economic Development Funds.

The van is being detailed and the City Seal will be placed on it.
Stay tuned for a ribbon cutting with seniors, Elderly Commission and residents!

This is shared from the City of Ansonia Facebook page.

Griffin Hospital van to visit Shelton Farmers Market through November

SHELTON - The Griffin Hospital Community Outreach Van will be at the Shelton CT Farmers Market Monthly June through November with a mission to bring education and health to the community remembering body, mind, and spirit. 
The van will be parked at the market [and nurses will be] doing blood pressure readings and answering general health questions. 

Please come to the market and avail yourselves of these free services. Each month will have a different wellness theme. 
Come on down and stay well with us!

The market is open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

*Information shared from a Facebook event page.

Recuperation journey: Fingers crossed

I'm crossing my fingers that the hand controls that my husband Ralph is getting installed in his van today will make life behind the wheel much better for him. 
The controls he has been using are not as convenient for him as they once were.

The next step will be getting the van set up so he can drive from his brand new wheelchair. Unfortunately it's idling in our spare bedroom because adjustments need to be made for him to use it.

So, fingers and toes crossed today.