To the editor:
This is an open letter to owner Ed Veasey and staff of Cedardale Athletic Club:
I am writing to express my sheer disgust and disappointment in what appears to be greed and insensitivity at your Bradford location. Our family has maintained a full membership at Cedardale for over a decade, shelling out ridiculous amounts of money for frequent guest fees, food and beverages, shopping at the pro-shop, camps and sports fees. Over the years, some of our friends have joined the facility, and up to now, we have been good promoters for Cedardale.
There have been times when certain staff have been rude and condescending, especially at the front desk, but we tolerated that with a smile, and never made an issue of it. We understand that some people relish whatever power they have in life and use it to boost their small egos.
Our family has faced incredible losses this year, including tragic deaths and watching our parents' physical and cognitive health deteriorate.
My 74-year-old mother-in-law developed Alzheimer's disease, had her leg amputated, and basically lost all independence and joy in life. We became her full-time caretakers and took her into our home, hoping to ease the suffering and anxiety that naturally followed these devastating conditions.
As caretakers, we take her with us wherever we go, and when summer rolled around, we believed she would enjoy visiting Cedardale to watch her grandson swim and play.
She responds well to anything that provides escape from her circumstances, and she is happy to sit in her wheelchair and look at the world.
Due to her condition that excludes her from using any of your equipment, and foolishly factoring in human compassion, we thought she would be added to our membership without a problem.
In June, my husband inquired about this, and he was offered a "granny " membership, where she would be required to pay ONLY $80 a month, on top of the $2,052 we give you yearly. Keep in mind, the woman does not even put her toes in the water, so the $80 would be for the air she breathes while watching her grandson swim.
My husband should have terminated our membership then and there, but he is a patient man, and he walked away in disbelief.
When we relayed the story to some of our friends who also maintain long-term memberships, they were appalled enough to voice their opinion to management staff, and we were no longer detained and humiliated at the front desk.
All in all, my mother-in-law has been there five times so far. She sits in her wheelchair, with me at her side, as we watch people swimming. She does not use your chairs, your pool water, or your exercise equipment, and she buys dinner for us, which adds to your cash register. She is a quiet individual, who blends into her surroundings, and most people that come in contact with her describe her as sweet and kind.
Today she was looking forward to getting out of the house visiting the pool.
We approached the front desk and found ourselves trapped in a public and humiliating verbal exchange as we were told that we needed a guest pass, etc. ... We did point out to your heartless desk manager that my mother in law is a family member, not a guest, and her disabilities do not allow her to partake in anything other than taking up space, to which she responded that she "would let it go this time" but next time my mother-in-law needs to pay.
I could not swallow the bile that was rising, and all I could do was wheel her out of there. I suppose we could have gone in "this time" as your manager said, but I simply could not put one foot in front of the other. I could not tolerate your staff's attitude that indicated a great favor was being bestowed on us.
I understand that you can impose whatever restrictions and regulations you wish, but come on ... who does this to a handicapped woman or to a family that has maintained a membership for as long as we have?
Instead of giving away bikes as an incentives for joining, why not give away compassion, good will, empathy, and thoughtfulness? They cost nothing, and the dividends are amazing. You may find this entire matter insignificant and not worthy of your time, but I will inform the world of this cruelty via every form of media. Some people will care and many won't, but I will make a genuine effort to tell the story, not only for my mother-in-law, but for all the "imperfect" people in the world that don't fit in to your utopia.
My questions to you are:
If I had given birth and brought my infant there, would he/she be charged at the door? This woman is a permanent family member, as a child would be.
How can you condone such cold-hearted behavior or tolerate staff that would act this way? Would this frail woman's $15 really benefit you that much? I am embarrassed for you!
Anthy LaMela
Neck Road
Ward Hill
