Skip to content

New ride changes a life

THUNDER BAY - A local man who captured the hearts of the city with his dream of owning his own car has become somewhat of a celebrity around town. Last week Michael Wiatrowski achieved his dream of buying his own car.
392878_33374829
(Doug Diaczuk, tbnewswatch.com)

THUNDER BAY - A local man who captured the hearts of the city with his dream of owning his own car has become somewhat of a celebrity around town.

Last week Michael Wiatrowski achieved his dream of buying his own car. He found his new ride, a modified electric scooter, at Downtown Volkswagen and he purchased it from a local woman who lowered the cost to keep it within his price range.

Judy Bedard, Michael’s support worker with Community Living Thunder Bay, said the scooter has really changed Michael’s life.

“His confidence level is boosted way up,” she said. “Before he was dependent on people to drive him or book a ride for him or take the city bus. But now he’s just on the go. He makes his list in the morning and is ready to go out and venture his day.”

Michael’s new ride has granted him a great deal of independence and he uses it to do his banking, grocery shopping, and visit friends in his neighbourhood. Keeping with his friendly nature, he also uses it to help others.

“Anytime something that has to be done, he tries to tell the staff or people don’t worry, he’ll go, he’ll take his car and look after it,” Bedard said. “He’s up late and up first thing in the morning and ready to go.”

Like any new driver, when Michael first started up his scooter, he spent a lot of time with support staff learning the rules of the road and the ins and outs of his new vehicle. He has since been venturing farther away from home and will soon driving on his own.

“He’s tired of people following him,” Bedard said. “In the evening he goes out on his own because he likes the lights on.”

Last Wednesday Michael was out doing his banking and ran into one of his ‘banking ladies,’ Lina Tassone, a customer service representative with RBC at Grandview Mall. 

Tassone was fighting back tears when Michael brought her outside to check out his new ride.

“I’m just extremely happy,” she said. “It makes me cry. I’m very happy for him. He’s been wanting this for a while, and talking about this, and saving up money, and he finally got it.”

As Michael did his banking, everyone entering or exiting the mall would stop to admire Michael’s scooter, because it truly is one of a kind.

“He’s been quite the celebrity,” Bedard said. “It’s a little tough right now because people are waving to him, so he’s a little distracted. But I’m extremely happy with the response he’s gotten from the community.”





push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks