Braintree Woman Commended For Shoveling Snow From Wheelchair

A Braintree woman is being commended for shoveling sidewalks in South Braintree Square and inspiring others to do the same, despite being in a wheelchair.

Crystal Evans, who suffers from a neuromuscular disease, said she started to clear sidewalks last year after realizing she could do it for everybody during a trip to the post office.

Evans, who runs a business at home making party favors, shoveled out a path when she needed to drop off an order before a snowstorm.

“I had a clear path and I though I could clear a path for everyone not just for me,” she told Patch.

This year, Evans said she has worked with 50 volunteers clearing snow and ice from the sidewalks and bus stops in South Braintree Square. Since January, she has spent over 100 hours making paths according to WCVB.

While the work is noticeable, Evans is not shoveling to bring attention to herself but rather to encourage others to help out in their community. While shoveling recently near the intersection of Pearl Street and Hancock Street, an elderly man walked passed Evans to wait for the bus at a nearby stop. The bus stop where he waited was an area Evans cleaned and helped make safer.

“What I want to do is encourage other people to pitch in and get a shovel whether they help me or if they just clear a sidewalk or bus stop by their home because there are pedestrians going back and forth,” she said.

On Tuesday eventing, Braintree Town Councilor Michael Owens praised her efforts to shovel out the snow in her neighborhood and bus stops, suggesting that the council formally recognize her at a future meeting.

The snow may be slowing down but the work isn’t over yet. An event on Facebook inviting residents to help clean the sidewalks on Pearl Street this weekend has been posted by Evans.