When the Quesnel Elks Lodge 298 heard about Caroline’s Cart they were eager to facilitate the purchase for the Save-On Foods store in Quesnel.
With a mandate to be involved and help the community they felt this innovative shopping cart would meet a need in Quesnel.
Once they had purchased a Caroline’s Cart for the store they invited Shaw Cable to promote it and as a result Shaw Cable is partnering with the Quesnel Elks to help purchase future carts for other stores.
Caroline’s Cart was created for special needs individuals. It provides caregivers a viable option to transport a special needs individual through a store while shopping, without the impossible task of having to maneuver a wheelchair and a traditional shopping cart at the same time. Caroline’s Cart has several features which enhance the experience for both the individual in the cart and the caregiver.
The handles of Caroline’s Cart swing up to provide convenient access to the seat. A contoured seat is comfortable for low muscle tone individuals, as well as a harness to help secure a person up to 250 pounds and helps keep the occupant upright. An ample cargo basket provides space for purchased items and locking brakes in the back and front of the cart lock castors, providing stability when loading and unloading occupants.
The seat faces the caregiver, so eye contact is easy to maintain and the platform below the seat provides a footrest for the occupant. A five-point latching safety harness secures the individual so the caregiver has hands free to steer the cart.
“Caroline’s Cart will be welcomed by thousands of families who have children with disabilities or seniors and temporarily disabled people. This cart will make it possible for children with disabilities to be part of a family shopping outing. More than this, when families use Caroline’s Cart in neighbourhood stores, it sends an important message to everyone who sees them that kids with disabilities are kids first and need to be included,” Sara Brewster, VP Marketing Communications with National Easter Seals said.