I have anxiety, fibromyalgia, issues with sensory overload ADHD
and rheumatoid arthritis. So I have quite a few barriers to
accessing an aquatic centre and feeling comfortable.
In my daily life for work, I support clients include mature-aged
women with chronic pain and health conditions; and stroke
survivors requiring minimal support.
So using Cérge to visit Watermarc Banyule yesterday was a
tremendous experience as a user but also seeing the benefits for
the people I work with. My own intrinsic experience in two
varying ways yet both amazingly complimented each other and
how this can change so many lives and enable me to support my
people SO much more.

As I drove towards the venue there was some construction near
the venue with some of the area out of street view. I was a bit
anxious but having read up in the app I remembered that it was
said the venue is on a hill and there is underground parking; with
direct access to the venue with a lift!!
Yay no stairs!
It helped to know it would be a big building so you knew what to expect. Not
all people with disability need lifts, or ramps. But today, for me. I did.
I did not get lost and nervous as I usually do when going to a new
place, so it was a nice experience. It’s actually incredible how just
being able to mind map a venue from looking at all the
information beforehand seriously relieved so much for me.

The problem- you have to literally scour multiple websites to try
and get the information you need.
I need more than a car park, opening times and a pretty webpage.
I need to see the toilet.
The change room
I need to know the smells and noises.
The stuff that isn’t pretty on a website is usually what most people
need but can’t find, so they stay home. Trust me.

Noah told me where the change rooms were and they were clean
and not crowded. I had seen them in the Visual Story and they
looked the same which is always comforting.
I used the exercise equipment as stated in the app to use in the
pool; I always thought people had brought their own! When I
asked when are the usual quieter times, Noah understood that I
would enjoy a time when the water slide closes in the late
afternoon and then the rest of the facilities are still open to be
used. Noah felt like a friend. I think me using Cérge kinda made it
feel like we had a mate in common so we had rapport quickly.

Overall a very pleasant experience that I would do again and
recommend using the app to clients, friends and family. I would
actually go to places mostly that are on the app as I will feel less
anxious and I will know before I arrive if physically I can use the
facility or not.

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