The Trail of Hope

Lyons Community Center
9 Manhattan Street
Lyons, N.Y.  14489

This photo was taken on the 22nd anniversary of the
Americans with Disabilities Act

“It’s more than a garden it’s a healing experience!”

The Native Way

The trail meanders through planned gardens and into a natural wooded area where native plants predominate. A viewing platform that overlooks the historic Clinton's Ditch. This trail is part of Trail Work's Forever Wild For Everyone project, a concept that enables persons of impaired mobility to enjoy access to nature. The Trail of Hope is dedicated to Jim Tuscher, Lyons Class of 1957 who had spent his life as an advocate for people with disabilities and to Leigh Ann Henry, Lyons Class of 2006 who, due to an injury sustained in an auto accident, is now confined to her wheel chair. The trail, built on land adjacent to the Lyons Community Center, is the effort of Trail Works Board member Mark DeCracker and the generous support of the community with materials and labor. In partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Creating Healthy Places, children have helped to plant gardens along the trail. Plans are being made to connect this trail by a spur to the Erie Canal Trail as it passes through Lyons.

Directions

Trail Works, Inc. in conjunction with Forever Wild for Everyone believes that all people, regardless of their ability or age, have the right to enjoy nature and its many benefits. Our role as stewards of the Forever Wild for Everyone program in Wayne County is to develop and/or designate nature trails without barriers that everyone can enjoy.

Who benefits from the garden

Nursing Homes, Adaptive living facilities, Hospitals, Veterans, Local ARC, Group homes, Schools, Day Care Facilities, Sr. Citizen Homes, Pre-schools,  After School Program, Lyons Community Center, Rehabilitation Centers, Brain Injury Centers Young Families with Baby Strollers, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Find on us Face book

For information of the Trail of Hope E-mail  videomark@gmail.com

Cell 315-573-8170

www.trailworks.org

  

An Angel in a Wheelchair

                    Carol. Leigh Ann and Rich

An angel in a wheelchair came to the Trail of Hope today. I volunteer at the Trail, and have witnessed so many transformations, and people finding healing and hope there. I was privileged to meet Leigh Ann Henry today, who with Jim Tuscher is what the garden is all about. When Leigh Ann and her father Rich's van pulled up to the Trail, I wasn't sure what to expect. I greeted Leigh Ann's father as he went about getting her wheelchair from the back of the van. It was very moving to see him bend down, and lovingly take her in his arms so he could pick her up, and put her in her chair. So many times we hear about a mother's devotion, but he is just as devoted to her. He was making sure she was comfortable in every way, as well as encouraging her to engage in conversation. I can only imagine the toll it is taking on his back as he continues to pick her up and carry her that way. He would take his hand, and put it by her face, and she would kiss it. I have taken care of someone for years in a wheelchair, and know it does require a very strong commitment to be there everyday and night to do everything they can't. We are sorrowful for the hopes and dreams that they had, but trying to always be positive for the life they still have. I couldn't help but reach down and hug her. I kissed her on the cheek, and she tried to do the same. We looked in each other's eyes, and I felt I could look into her soul--a beautiful angel in a wheelchair. I couldn't help it--the tears flowed down my cheeks. A woman with dreams of her own, too soon taken away. She was a nurse to be there for others, but now she has to have others wait on her. I know she is positive, and the family is trying to do everything on their own, but how wonderful it would be if the community would come together to help her get a power wheelchair. I know we all take the ability to care for ourselves for granted, but what if we could help her live a more independent life with dignity and respect, so she could have some of the freedom that we have every day. She was a nurse to be there for everyone who was in her care, and now we should be there for her. We are all angels with one wing--we can only fly embracing each other. (Luciano De Crescenzo)

Carol Kildoyle

Leigh Ann signature 

Carol and Leigh Ann

Leigh Ann signing in