Yvonne Poulin, RMT
This summer has brought an unseasonable amount of pelting rain that has kept some locals moody while impatiently waiting indoors for the rain to stop. In an effort to maintain independence as they age many of our hearty townspeople maintain their summer activities despite the weather.
Some of us remain in our homes and avoid going outdoors at all cost. This choice to stay indoors has nothing to do with the weather. It’s all about the bears.
Within seconds after a downpour Tumbler Ridgians virtually burst out of their homes. The air becomes filled with the drone of lawnmowers bombing through lush green grass. Children’s laughter and the call of ravens and crows rise above it all. Fair weather campers pack up their RVs, boats, and ATVs to explore our unique global geopark wilderness. Gardeners tend to their yard work and prepare to host barbeques and bonfires. Cyclists, skateboarders, hikers, and walkers stride out of their homes, and our village vibrates with life.
However, this post-downpour activity doesn’t apply to all locals. Some of us are paralyzed by the fear of bears. Whereas many Tumbler Ridgians will wait for favorable weather to become active outside, the threat of confronting a bear in town remains a constant for anyone with arkoudaphobia; an excessive or irrational fear of bears. In fact, there is no need to pathologize a fear of bears in Tumbler Ridge. We live in an area where there are frequent sightings so it is quite sensible to be concerned about a possible bear encounter.
In general, media doesn’t bother to publish the majority of friendly encounters with bears who run away; they publish the stories about fatal and threatening attacks by bears. Unfortunately this does nothing to subdue an excessive fear of bears, or to inspire healthy and active aging while outdoors.
So first, a word about bears. Despite their relative size and fearsome appearance, bears want to encounter humans even less than a human wants to run into a bear, and will do what they can to avoid humans.
Most locals avoid bears by following these simple guidelines:
1. Walk (and talk) with someone else. The sound of your conversation will likely scare a bear away.
2. If walking alone make extra noise such as clapping or calling out loud, especially when there is background noise that might muffle your volume such as wind in the trees or near flowing creeks.
3. Avoid areas with lots of berries, where you see signs of bear scat, or where there have been frequent sightings.
4. Choose to walk midday or avoid a bear’s active time at dusk and dawn.
5. Carry bear spray. Chances are you’ll never need it, but you may feel more confident.
If these tips haven’t convinced you to brave a walk around town, our Tumbler Ridge Forever Young Society has another solution. They offer a free taxi card for transportation to and from your home to their Willow Hall location where you are welcome to enjoy their many indoor activities. On Monday Wednesday and Friday evenings at 5:30 they organize a group walk in town that takes 45–60 minutes. Please phone ahead to confirm a group is lined up for that afternoon: (250) 242-4422.
Alternately, you may want to consider driving to the community centre or the visitor’s centre where there are plenty of organized activities. At these public locations you can reduce your risk of bear encounters while socializing. The positive benefits of being active promote physical health as well as mental health; two key ingredients required for aging safely in one’s home.
Does your fear of bears overpower your desire to remain independent as you age? Have friends or acquaintances offered to accompany you on walks? Perhaps it’s uncomfortable for you to reach out, but it may be time to accept their help. Only you can take the action necessary towards healthy aging.
If arkoudaphobia or any other fear prevents you from leaving your home on a regular basis it is time to seek professional help. Please know that you are not alone and that there are solutions available to you here in town. Call the Tumbler Ridge Treatment and Diagnostic Centre to book an appointment with a mental health professional. (250) 242-5505.
Head in the ceiling. Steve Tory installing new (faster) routers in the Community Centre.
