The Abilitas Foundation was founded to create an accessible respite place for people living with disabilities. With the support of donors, volunteers, and our dedicated board and building committee, we have achieved this goal with the Cold Water Ranch Lodge in Merritt, BC. A first of its kind in BC, the lodge welcomes kids and adults living with a disability (AND their families) and offers these families a much-needed place to rest, recharge, and reconnect.

Respite is what Abilitas is about. And family. Often when you hear talk about respite and disability, the term is used to mean ‘taking a break from’ a person with a disability. But what we’ve learned from talking with many families is that they want to spend time together, with the family as a whole. Time to get away from it all for a few days, to rest and recharge, but also time to reconnect, to strengthen their bonds, and to create positive memories together. 

For many of these families in need, a respite break is not an option because of various barriers, including accessibility and cost. The Cold Water Ranch Lodge was built to address these barriers. In the design of the lodge, Abilitas has made every effort to make the lodge as accessible as possible for a variety of disabilities. We have left room for specialized wheelchairs with a turning radius as large as 6′; we have included overhead lifts, lowered counters, shallow sinks and many other accessible features (including no cost except a small cleaning fee). But we have done so in a way that makes the lodge feel welcoming and warm: a home away from home for those who need it most.

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