Disability Pride Day offers beach access for a cool change
By Beth David with information from Jessica Fidalgo
Pamela Roy of Fairhaven hasn’t been able to go to the beach since being confined to a wheelchair. For the first time in 20 years she was going to put her feet in the ocean water. Her sister told her about the Disability Pride Day event at West Island Town beach and she went by to try out the new equipment.
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- A woman uses a special wheelchair provided by the Fairhaven Town Beach at West Island to access the water during Disability Pride Day on 7/18/25. Photo courtesy of Laura Barillaro.
The Fairhaven Commission on Disability and the Belonging Committee sponsored the event to give everyone a chance to enjoy the beach, sweet treats, and community connection.
Just sitting on the beach and to be with her family and her nephew in the water meant so much to Ms. Roy. She is now looking to volunteer with the COD.
Gnome Surf was there, with Stephanie giving lessons in the water to children of different ages and abilities.
Many beach goers were proud and excited for this event as well and asked how they can help to make the beach more accessible regularly for folks.
The beach mats and special chairs are available daily. Just let the attendant know you need to use them. If anyone is looking to make donations, this would be an amazing gift to the beach community.
“The head life guard was amazing and would love to support more outings like this, and wanted people to know he is there and willing to make beach access available to all,: said Jessica Fidalgo of the Belonging Committee. “We have amazing folks!”
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- Stephanie from Gnome Surf gives a few lessons at Fairhaven Town Beach at West Island during Disability Pride Day on 7/18/25. Photo courtesy of Laura Barilaro.
Bob & Ann Espindola volunteered as part of the Fairhaven for All group assisting with greeting folks, setting up additional mats for the event. Belonging Committee sponsored the ice cream.
“In all the events I’ve been part of, meeting Pam and her family, their beaming faces, makes the push for inclusion and belonging 100% worth all the negativity, and we will continue advocating for everyone,” said Ms. Fidalgo. “Leaving anyone out is not good enough.”
To learn more about the Fairhaven Commission Disability, and Belonging Committee, visit the town website: https://fairhaven-ma.gov
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Click here to download the 7/24/25 issue: 07-24-25 FireHoseFun
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