Elizabeth Legatt is a retired obstetrician. She estimates that in the course of her medical work, she’s welcomed 8,000 babies into the world. Dr. Barney Newman was a colleague at the Westmed Medical Group where Liz practiced. Dr. Newman was associated with aging-in-place organizations in Westchester. He was familiar with the work of TRA (then Westfair Rides) bringing adults 60+ and adults 21+ with low vision to medical appointments. The organization provided free transportation using volunteer drivers. Liz was interested in the concept of providing supports for adults to age-in-place. She put it on her to-do list for retirement. Six years ago, Liz retired and applied to become a volunteer driver.
Liz is a warm and approachable woman. She regularly signs up for 2-3 rides a week and finds the volunteer work rewarding. She is very impressed by many of the people she drives, with their tremendous challenges and their tremendous motivation to stay as independent as possible as long as possible. Liz enjoys doing repeat rides, providing both the drop off and pick for her rider. She gets to know her rider and can familiarize herself with various medical services and locations.
Liz is most comfortable driving to locations she’s been to before. She finds each rider is different and respects those differences. Liz stated “Some of the people I drive are wonderful to talk to, but everybody’s different. Some people, they have to be silent. Other people, it can be a little challenging to talk to but they all have the need. I respect all of them for being willing to take care of themselves and get to the doctor or the chiropractor or the dentist or the physical therapist I would like to be their partner in helping and take care of themselves
