Agrability Chit-Chat, Newsletter
Vol. 2, No. 5 -- May, 2000
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IN THIS EDITION:
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FAMILIES
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CARM'S COMMENTS
Families are important to me. It seems that in today's society, sometimes the family gets lost in the shuffle. Most families need both mother and father working in order to make ends meets. Children are often in latch-key programs, left home alone or with sitters.
I see a disability in a family as a double strike against the family. At times, it is hard on marriages to juggle caregiving with all the other responsibilities. It is easy for someone to get slighted. Some may loose their identity because they need to spend so much time in the caregiver role. Usually there are added expenses that often-times leave a family short of necessary funds.
Of all the families I have had the privilege to talk with, I applaud the children, the spouse and the caregivers of the disabled. They are called on to perform many extra duties. They do this without complaint, and they do a wonderful job. So many times we publicly praise caregivers of celebrities who are disabled, but the common person is just expected to go the extra mile and never receive the thanks they deserve. We want to say a big THANKS to each of you. Pat yourself on the back. You deserve it! (CS)
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CREATIVE FAMILIES: Colleen Jolley, ISU Extension Family Life Specialist
Farmers and their families are among the most creative people I know. Whether it's fixing a piece of equipment without access to the right part, or re-thinking marketing decisions, days are seldom the same and usually include at least one new problem to solve. Farm families who also live with a disability seem to have an extra creative side.
James R. Sherman in "Creative Caregiving" (Pathway Books, 1994) suggests a number of techniques family members might try to improve their creative caregiving and problem-solving skills. Here are just a few to think about:
PRACTICE MENTAL AEROBICS. Some exercises that can build creative muscle include: break out of your daily routine; listen and talk with children; make writing a habit; master a new technology; study; seek the enthusiasm and wisdom of an older or younger companion; and plan something you can look forward to.
HAVE FUN. Think of the funniest thing you've done in the last year. What did you learn from it?
KEEP A JOURNAL. A day to day accounting of ideas, events or reflections can help you see what worked and what didn't.
PAY ATTENTION. Resolve to notice something new every day. Practice precise observation. Focus on small ideas. That's where innovative solutions get their start!
For more ideas on creativity and problem-solving, take a look at "Creative Caregiving," James R. Sherman, 1994, Pathway Books, 700 Parkview Terrace, Golden Valley, Minnesota 55416-3439. (LL)
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OPEN DOORS TO MARITAL SUCCESS: Kristi Cooper, ISU Extension Field Specialist, Family Life
Did you know that happily married couples argue just as much as those who are unhappily married? The difference is the key skills they use to make their marriage successful. One of those skills is to communicate openly. When you talk about problems, discuss possible solutions, not who is to blame for the problems. You might discover individual strengths in each other that will make you stronger as a couple. (LL)
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PERSONAL PROFILE: Jackie Spece
As Coordinator of AgrAbility Friends and Family, I had the privilege of getting to know Jackie and her mom, Sue. When I received Jackie's Personal Profile, I knew there was more to her than what she had written. I called Sue this morning and we visited about Jackie and what an energetic, caring, busy person she is. Here is her story:
My name is Jackie Spece. I am 19 years old and live on a dairy farm in Independence, Iowa with my parents and two brothers. My brothers and I have Spinal Muscular Atrophy. We have always used power chairs.
I am currently attending Hawkeye Community College, but would like to transfer to UNI and finish my major in either physical education or elementary education. I would like to open my own gymnastics club and coach gymnastics or teach fourth grade.
In my spare time, I volunteer at the local elementary school in a Close Friends fourth grade class. I truly enjoy every minute of it. I also help teach confirmation class at my church on Wednesday nights.
I am very excited because my mother has always transported me to Hawkeye Community College and other places, but I am currently waiting for modifications to be completed on a '98 Dodge Caravan - hopefully next week - which I purchased. I have to complete a few hours of drivers' education with my own van and then I will be on my own. I like to hang out with my friends, and look forward to being able to drive them around. (CS)
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RESOURCES AND SERVICES
--ISU Extension offers a wealth of information on family issues. Log onto this website: http://www.exnet.iastate.edu and click on "Families" located in the yellow bar to the left. You will find links to Child Care That Works, Family Policy That Works, Money 2000, Nutrition, Strengthening Family Relationships, Other Families Programs including Hotlines, Data Publication, Housing, and Textiles and Clothings.
Child Care That Works even has a page Just for Kids as well as 24-hour Hotline numbers. Counselors are available for housing counseling and financial planning and counseling (www.fcs.iastate.edu/financial/).
--The ISU theme for 2000-2001 is Strengthening Families to Become the Best (www.fcs.iastate.edu/families). Special events are being planned throughout the year and will include ISU's sponsorship of the Iowa State Fair on opening day, Thursday, August 10th.
A major activity for the year will be day-long visits to 10 Iowa communities by ISU officials to focus on how ISU can help strengthen families.
Families Extension is creating an interactive web site where people can share their own stories and can, also, access a collection of stories from Iowa's five generations as well as make links to information from other sites about intergenerational relationships and family history. The page will be ready this summer and will be introduced at the Iowa State Fair.
--The Strengthening Families Program is being promoted to help prevent teen substance abuse and other behavioral problems. The program content includes seven parent, youth, and family sessions and four booster sessions. For more information check the web site at www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/families/sfp.html
--A new way to get answers from ISU Extension for information on a variety of topics, including: agriculture, forestry, fishing, family/consumer issues, lawn and garden, child development, 4-H/youth, environment, public policy, economics, water quality and communities is to log on at www.e-answers.org. (LL)
--Opportunities are available to attend workshops and to access free publications from your County Extension office. For information go to www.exnet.iastate.edu On your "Home" screen, click on "Calendar of Events" where you will be given the opportunity to select a county and "Display Events." You can find a list of publications by clicking on "Publications" on the left side of your "Home" screen. (LL)
--There are many issues facing farm families today. Six free publications called "Choices for Change: Issues Facing Farm Families" that might help you meet those challenges include "Manage Resources, Avoid Stress;" "Tough Times Can Be tough on Marriages;" "Managing Stress on the Farm, in the Family," "Help Children Manage Stress," and "The Role of Hope and Social Support in Difficult Times." www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/communications/tab/taxissues .html
--Families concerned about drought this year can access the Drought 2000 web site from the ISU Extension homepage at www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/communications/drought/ (LL)
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AGRABILITY FRIENDS AND FAMILY EVENTS
Freewheelers
--Thirteen Freewheelers met on Saturday, May 13, at the Country Kitchen in Decorah. Robert Davis talked about his experience as a dog trainer and showed us the things Kachina can do to help him. It was extremely interesting.
Next meeting will be July 8 12:00 (note time change) Guttenberg Care Center
--Southeast Iowa AgrAbility Friends and Family July 15 1:00 p.m. More details later. (CS)
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IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of ISU Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Easter Seals Iowa. The program can help farm family members with a disability stay in farming.
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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:
...and justice for all. The Iowa Cooperative Extension Service's programs and policies are consistent with pertinent federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, and disability.
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