Iowa AgrAbility

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AGRABILITY CHIT-CHAT
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IN THIS EDITION:
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WELCOME
WOHLFORDS HOST AGRABILITY FARM DAY
NEWS FROM ISU EXTENSION
RESOURCES TO KNOW ABOUT
PEER SUPPORT UPDATE
UPCOMING EVENTS
PERSONAL PROFILE
QUOTE OF THE MONTH

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WELCOME
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Welcome to the Iowa AgrAbility Newsletter. This newsletter is brought to
you by Carmen Schacht, Iowa AgrAbility Peer Support Coordinator, and Laura
Werner, Iowa AgrAbility Program Specialist. Carmen's personal profile is
featured in this edition. Laura's profile and the profiles of other
AgrAbility staff will appear in later newsletters.

The Iowa AgrAbility Project is a joint effort of Iowa State University
Extension and Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of the
Easter Seal Society of Iowa, Inc. It is partially funded by a grant from
the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and provides assistance to persons
with disabilities and their families. See the Iowa AgrAbility web site at
http://www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/housing/other/agrability/

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WOHLFORDS HOST AGRABILITY FARM DAY
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Don and Barb Wohlford hosted an AgrAbility Farm Day on May l7. Don is
para-plegic due to surgery to remove a spinal cord tumor. Don received
assistance from Iowa AgrAbility to modify buildings and equipment which
helps him run his farm. Don uses an all-terrain vehicle to get around and
has three tractors with different types of lifts and modifications.

Representative Tom Latham, representatives from Senator Grassley's Office,
Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge, and news media from Mason City, Des
Moines, and Hampton were present at the Farm Day. They were able to see
how the modifications on the Wohlford's farm have helped Don remain in
farming.

Don is active in Farm Bureau, is an Easter Seal Peer Support Counselor, on
The Easter Seal Board, and is active in a Peer Support Network Group.

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NEWS FROM EXTENSION
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June is National Safety Month. Check out ISU Extension's farm and home
safety publications on the web at: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/pubs/sa.htm

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RESOURCES TO KNOW ABOUT
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A.T. LEGAL PROJECT
The Iowa Program for Assistive Technology (IPAT) funds the Assistive
Technology (AT) Legal Project at the University of Iowa College of Law.
The project provides free legal services to people with disabilities
obtaining assistive technology. The Project has two components: direct
legal advocacy and legislative/policy change.

Professor John Allen and law students work on legal advocacy. They
represent individuals with disabilities who are trying to obtain needed
assistive technology. They have helped Project consumers obtain a variety
of assistive technology including power wheelchairs, augmentative
communication devices, lifts, computer adaptations, and home
modifications. They work on cases involving Medicaid, Medicare, private
insurance, education, ADA, warranty issues, and consumer fraud.

Professor Leonard Sandler works with students focusing on policy and
legislation. One example of their work is The Assistive Devices Warranty
Act or "Lemon Law" which provides a one-year warranty to consumers who
purchase assistive technology. Students at the AT clinic analyzed
research, made recommendations, and worked with consumer groups and
organizations, policy makers, and legislators. This work evolved into
legislation which created the "Lemon Law."

For more information contact INFOTECH 800-33l-3027. Source: Winter l999 IPAT-INFOTECH News.

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PEER SUPPORT UPDATE
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Here's what's happening with Peer Support Groups throughout the state.

Ron Bradley reported that the Southeast Iowa Region held a potluck and barbeque on Saturday, June 12 in Rochester Park in Atalissa. Kevin Burt, blues musician, provided free entertainment. Co-leaders Bradley, and Dennis Burns, have been active in soliciting donations from local service clubs to support group activities. They were also successful in obtaining a wheelchair for a member of their group.

Northeast Region Peer Support Meeting Saturday, July l0, l999 l:00 p.m. New Hampton Library, Music on the Concertina Lunch at l:00 (share the expense) For more information contact:

Carmen Schacht
319-547-2932
cschacht@powerbank.net

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PERSONAL PROFILE: Carmen Schacht
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My neuropathy first showed up after a trauma in July, l988. I developed a
rapid infection in my groin area. I was rushed to LaCrosse Lutheran
Hospital in septic shock. I spent two months recovering. I was home for
two months when I started having trouble with my legs. I returned to LaCrosse
for one and a half months in the rehab unit. I was also diagnosed with
diabetes, which can cause neuropathies.

I went to physical therapy for two years. I was able to walk with a walker,
then a cane, then for five years walked with no aid. In l995 my neuropathy
returned. I am pretty much confined to a wheelchair or a mobility cart. I
can use a walker for short periods of time.

My husband, Everett, had four by-passes in September, l989, angioplasty in
April of l995, which didn't work. He had to have one by-pass in
September, l995. While I was in LaCrosse with him, I started to have
problems with my legs again. In l990-l99l I did 500 hours of volunteer
work at North East Iowa Community Action in Decorah. In December, l99l a
job came open in the Energy Assistance Department. I was hired, and have
been there eight years now. I work October - March. At the present time
I am also working with Tracy Keninger of Easter Seals and Mary Yearns of
Iowa State with the Iowa AgrAbility Program as Peer Support Coordinator.
All of this was made possible by a wonderful group of friends, family and
many who did a fund raiser for us to be able to get a handicapped
accessible van, which I drive.

If you would like to share your story with other readers, please write to
Carmen at cschacht@powerbank.net.

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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
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Don't underestimate your worth by comparing yourself with others.
It is because we are different that each of us is SPECIAL.
                                                             -unknown

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This electronic newsletter from the Iowa AgrAbility Project will be sent
monthly to AgrAbility families and other interested individuals. Please
send comments and suggestions to:
E-mail: agrability@exnet.iastate.edu
Phone: Iowa State University Answerline at 1-800-262-3804
TDD: 1-800-854-1658.