Where are the DeGroots?: Life in Nova Scotia

It's time to write a short blog about what we're actually DOING in Canada (besides picking up the accent, eh?-you're so right Robyn!). We are working for an MD named Dr. Kirby who has an entire research lab devoted to wheelchair skills testing a training (a long-time passion of Keri's). We are actually getting to collaborate together on one project, but it's CJ's mainly. He's looking at a few tools for assessing the accessibility of curb cuts and combining and adding to them to make a usable and useful tool. Then he is going to pilot test the measure on the streets of Halifax. It's kind of fun to combine our skill sets on this project (CJ's background in civil engineering and Keri's in disability/accessibility/environment). Keri is working on learning the lab's wheelchair training and testing protocol and also looking at the new international guidelines for wheelchair provision in developing countries. She's going to make a report card for a facility based on these guidelines and test it in Halifax on a few places. So that's what we're up to during the work day! Other than that, life has slowed down. We walk to and from work which is about 25 minutes each way. When we get home at night, there's not much to do! We're enjoying reading and hanging out. Oh! And the good news....we have a TV in our room so we can watch The Office! We were worried about having to miss the new season and couldn't fit a TV in the car. Good stuff (Bob, no need to Tivo 3 months worth anymore :) Below are some pictures of where we're living.