- Patty Kelly, Executive Director, The Women’s Centre Grey & Bruce Inc

Winter is on the way, along with the howling wind and the blowing snow. Oh my, that lake effect can be quite threatening on a long drive in the dark of the night. Sometimes, when I head out down the highway, I wonder whether if I had taken a back road, would I have arrived earlier? When the snow starts swirling and pounding into the windshield you question: Should I have stayed? Why did I leave? I believe many of us have been in this blinding snowstorm, not being able to see much in front of us. The fear of the unknown as we keep going forward engulfs us; yet we know that pulling over and turning around is not safe.

I have actually been driving along the lake and enjoying the calm of snow and without warning I am in the centre of a wind tunnel with the car shaking back and forth. I had no control as I gripped the steering wheel choked by the terror of the night with the wind bellowing leaving me paralyzed with fear. Not trusting my judgement — as I could not see anything — I put the car in park right in the middle of the road. Confused and disorientated by the storm, I felt lost and alone. I thought: this is it, no one is going to find me out here and, of course, my cellphone had no service. I needed to take a moment to consider what to do next. I needed a plan. A friend once told me if you are caught in a storm and you cannot see in front or behind you, then look for what is beside you. I rolled down the windows to find on one side the snow bank while I searched for the white line in the middle of the road. Finding them, at least I knew I was on the right side of the road. I inched forward with my windows rolled down. I was cold and shivering, but I was determined to get out of the storm. My windshield wipers kept whispering: "you can do this, you can do this". Finally I drove right out of the storm and arrived at my destination I was going to be safe at last.

Later friends and family would ask the question — "What took you so long for you to get here?" My response to everyone was "You really do not know what I have just been through". I think many of you have been in that storm, possibly fearing for your life. Some of you may even have had little ones strapped in their car seats travelling with you.

I have learned from my experiences and I have taken control. I pay more attention to the weather reports before I head out in any direction. I have a winter road safety plan. My bag with a few belongings is always packed in the car. I know that I have people I can call and places to stay. There is a toll free number I can call to check on the conditions and weigh my risks. The more information I have, the better informed I have become as to how to make decisions for myself.

Women living in a storm in their own homes may fear for their lives. Many women here in our community of Grey Bruce will call the help lines at The Women's Centre's shelter. The staff will listen to you and help you to identify your risks. You are not alone. Safety plans can be done in a phone call or just arrive at the shelter. You are welcome. Many women and children will seek a safe haven at The Women's Centre shelter. Remember that shelters save the lives of women and their children. Your local shelter The Women's Centre Grey Bruce in the heart of Owen Sound needs your support to keep women and their children safer.