“Live Without Limits” is a Girl Scout Gold Award project by Girl Scout Ambassador Anna Nealon. “Live Without Limits” aims to give persons with impaired mobility full access to the shoreline of all Town of Hempstead (TOH) beaches through the use of access mats or “Mobi-Mats”. This project encompasses the communities of persons with disabilities, the elderly, and families with young children. As beautiful as the view is from the “boardwalk”, everyone should have the opportunity to feel the cool breezes off the water and the rush of the ocean as it sweeps across your feet.

My inspiration for this project comes from my personal experiences with my 23-year-old cousin with a disability and the obstacles that prevent her and her family from enjoying the shoreline. As a person requiring assistance to walk, my cousin requires a wheelchair.  Her family finds it impossible to mobilize a wheelchair over the sand.

As documented by Lisa Nisbet, a psychologist at Trent University, “There is mounting evidence, from dozens and dozens of researchers, that nature has benefits for both physical and psychological human well­ being.” As a three-season volunteer at Lido Beach Camp ANCHOR (Answering the Needs of Citizens with Handicaps through Organized Recreation), I have seen firsthand the positive impact outdoor experiences have on the well-being of my campers with disabilities, particularly shoreline access.

As it has led the way in supporting an outstanding program, Camp ANCHOR, at one of our town beaches, I urge TOH officials to support the addition of access mats down to the high tide line at all of the TOH beaches, thus advancing their commitment to making the beach environment inclusive of all TOH residents. TOH could be the leader in a statewide or even nationwide trend to “Live Without Limits” by making all beaches fully accessible. 

Please support “Live Without Limits” by signing this petition and sharing it with others.