Argumentative Essay

NHTV
Argumentative Essay
The Four Day Wheelchair March
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Michelle Hillebrand: 133789
2MTMC1 LA27 & LA36

Lecturer: Marise van der Eijnden
January 19, 2015









The Four Day Wheelchair March
According to many children the "four day march" means enjoyable evenings singing songs and having fun along with their classmates, sports club or friends. Mom and dad often walk along. At the end of the last evening their grandparents are waiting for them with bunches of flowers and bags of sweets. They are so proud of their grandchildren because they know how hard it has been and how far they have walked.
It would not be surprising that their grandparents used to walk the four day march for many years as well. The annual walking event is organized in many towns and villages in The Netherlands. In addition, the term 'four days march' was already introduced in 1909. Years later this walking mars became a big and well known hiking event where different distances can be walked (Source: see print version).

Unfortunately the four days march is not for everyone. Currently, the four days march is mainly attended by schools, families, friends and sports clubs. Like many others, the grandparents can no longer hike for such a long distance. Year by year the distances seem to become longer and every step feels heavier. In this ever-modernizing economy the four days march is becoming a bit of nostalgia. Over the years, the four day march has hardly changed. It is terribly unfortunate that the elderly in our society cannot participate anymore. Not only are they missing a piece of movement, they are also missing a fun and social event. Because, the four days march is and stays a delightful party for many people.
Especially the last point seems to become increasingly important in nowadays society. Almost one in three older people sometimes feel very lonely. This number continues to increase; nearly a million elderly people dine alone every evening. To counter the loneliness, it is very important that people organize projects to strengthen the social ties (Source: see print version).
In addition, loneliness can lead to serious consequences. It increases the blood pressure and stress level. This can lead to a greater chance of having a depression. For the elderly this could become so dangerous that they have a chance of 14% on an early death (Source: see print version).
According to the Salvation Army, the lack of social aspects in healthcare just keeps getting bigger. Due to a lack of employees and volunteers some of the elderly go outside only once a year. Besides, 10.000 of the elderly people never get a visit from family or friends (Source: see print version).
It seems pretty clear that something must be done against this growing loneliness. Too many of the elderly people are feeling lonely, and that's why the event "the four day wheelchair march" will be organized. This event will serve as an effective method against the loneliness. Joining the event can give the elderly not only a sense of 'movement' but is also a very good reason to come outside. In addition, it will also add a social sense. The elderly will be able to sing the famous sing along songs and enjoy the cozy atmosphere.








Although, how do you organize a four day wheelchair march?

The four day wheelchair march is an event which will give the elderly the opportunity to take part in a four day 'hiking' event. For four afternoons the elderly will be able to enjoy the outdoors and the lovely environment and be able to spend time being around other people.

The four day wheelchair march will take place in Zierikzee, the largest city of the municipality Schouwen-Duiveland. The province Zealand was chosen for this purpose because it has the highest percentage of an ageing population. It is expected that this ageing will continue to grow for many years. The aging will rise most strongly in the municipality of Schouwen-Duiveland. This municipality is expected to have the highest percentage of people aged over 65 in 2040 (Source: see print version).
The event will occur in the month of June. The exact date is from Monday the 8th of June to Thursday the 11th of June 2015. The month June often has soft summer weather and does not take place in the big summer holiday. Because of this there will be more volunteers present at the start of the event. The four day wheelchair march will take place a week earlier than the normal four days march to avoid the busy crowds.

The four day wheelchair march is meant for all the elderly people of Zierikzee. This enables elderly people living in nursing homes, but also elderly people who still live at home but have trouble walking (long distances).

The route will have a various route than the normal four days march. The distances will be shorter and will essentially take place on safety approved roads. This will mainly be asphalted roads which are easily accessible. For example, roads with cobblestones will be bypassed. In this way the route will not be too long for the elderly and not too heavy for the escorts. At various points in the route there will be the opportunity to take a break. On these places the participants can go to the toilet or take the time to eat and drink.

A large number of volunteers will be required for the implementation of the event. They will accompany the elderly during the four days. At the same time there are volunteers needed as traffic wardens, manning the stops and catering concerns. Each volunteer gets an emergency number they can call in case of emergency. Obviously the number of volunteers largely depends on the number of the participants. To ensure that enough volunteers will be present the event has to collaborate in various ways.
First of all the event has to co-operate with the local high school of Zierikzee, Pontes Pieter Zeeman. The pupils of this school can escort the elderly during the four day wheelchair march as part of a social internship or on a voluntary basis. Co-operating with students will strengthen the bonds between the elderly and young people. It will also encourage students to take more activities with their own grandparents (Source: see print version).

In addition the event obviously needs to join forces with the local nursing- and residential homes. Currently there are five nursing homes in Zierikzee. The staff of the nursing homes will not only announce the event for its inhabitants, the event also needs them for matters. For example, the employees can register as a volunteer while escorting the participants. It is also important for the elderly that they see familiar faces so they will not only feel comfortable, but also know there is someone for them when they need help. Bu letting employees volunteer on the four day wheelchair march, the relationships between the staff and the residents will be strengthened.

The employees will also be deployed on the various stops during the route. If some of the participants need to go to the toilet during the march, the staff will be there to assist them.
This event also needs sponsoring. The sponsors can support the route by taking care of the participants and organize the catering. The sponsors who will attend during the four day wheelchair march are the five nursing homes of Zierikzee and the restaurant Deans Food, who will take care of the catering.

The final day of the event will be a route that ends in the nursing home "De Wieken". This nursing home is located in the center of Zierikzee. Children, grandchildren and other family members will be able to welcome all the participants at the finish. Here the participants will receive bunches of flowers, just like their grandchildren always get.
After the finish all participants and volunteers are welcome to end the four day wheelchair marsh on a festive way in the banquet hall of the nursing home. There will be music, foods and drinks. All volunteers and sponsors will be acknowledged for their cooperation.


In concluding, the four day wheelchair march will be a major event for the elderly in Zierikzee. First of all, the four days will serve as an effective method against the loneliness of elderly people. By taking part in this event, the elderly will be able to enjoy the open air and will strengthen their social bonds. Considering the serious developments in the social field for the elderly, the event will be a welcome and social activity.
Besides, by working with students of the local high school the bonds between the elderly and young people will become stronger. The routes will be safe and there will be plenty of stops for the elderly. Thanks to the sponsoring the four days wheelchair march will become real and provided with all amenities.
Finally, the elderly will be warmly welcomed during the finish by their grandchildren. This time the grandchildren will be proud of their grandparents and reward them with bunches of flowers. Just like the old times.









Sources
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Number of words: 1.554





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