When Gracie Grantham wants to run an errand, she can’t just step out her front door, hop in the car and go.

Living with cerebral palsy and rheumatoid arthritis means that Grantham can’t move like most people. While she lives entirely independently, her disability requires that she ride a scooter.

“This is the only thing I know about being alive,” Grantham said. “I often wonder what it is like to run and move and get around with no problems.”

Grantham and her service dog Jill spoke to a group of third through fifth graders at Salmonberry School last week. The kids wanted to hear from Grantham after reading a letter she wrote in the Islands’ Sounder, March 21 edition. It outlined her struggles, particularly navigating Eastsound and interacting with business owners who aren’t sensitive to her disabilities.

“It is so great for kids to learn about this,” she said. “When you grow up, you can make a difference.”

Grantham lives alone, but is assisted by Jill, a Griphon Brussels, who can help her out of clothing and barks when she falls down. Twice a week her parents, who also live on Orcas, help Grantham run errands.

“For the most part, people are all very helpful here,” she said. “But sometimes I have to remind someone that I need assistance.”

Grantham was born with cerebral palsy, but she was able to walk on her own until her mid-20s. She participated in the Special Olympics, where she ran the 100-meter race. At age 25, Grantham was struck by a car, which further debilitated her. She later developed arthritis. Grantham went to high school in New York and did advocacy work in Denver, Colo. and Washington, D.C. She hopes more schools will get involved – the way Salmonberry has – in learning about disabilities.

Prior to Grantham’s visit, students explored the many sides of living with a physical disability. Their first stop was the Orcas Senior Center, where Barbara Trunkey provided a lesson on the many types of challenges faced by members of the Orcas Island community. The students tried out canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs. The next day, they mailed letters, used the public restrooms and returned library books with an assigned “handicap” and utilizing the various equipment.

The kids gained insights that they plan to share with the chamber of commerce and Eastsound Planning Review Committee.

“That stretch between The Kitchen and The Homegrown Market where there’s no sidewalk and cars park right on the shoulder – there’s just no way to get through there in a wheelchair,” said Solana Zobrist-Mehl, age 11.

The students also noticed that doors were a challenge: some were very heavy and others had handles that were too high to reach from a wheelchair.

“It’s much easier when businesses put in power-assist doors,” said Charlie Brady, age nine.

Paul Freedman, program director of Salmonberry, says the kids learned a great deal from the experience.

“To literally walk a mile in someone’s shoes is such a powerful way to develop compassion,” he said.