Agrability Chit-Chat, Newsletter
Vol. 2, No. 6 -- June, 2000
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IN THIS EDITION:
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AgrAbility and Youth
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YOUTH ALERT!!
This issue of the Chit Chat is to alert you to the challenges faced by and services available for youth who have disabilities. If you are a parent or know of youth with disabilities, please call their attention to the following stories and information.
If you have a child with a disability in your home or if you know of other families that do, please let us know. AgrAbility is here to provide support and assistance. (LL)
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CARM'S COMMENTS
AgrAbility and Youth. I think the worst thing that could happen to a young person is to have to deal with a disability. A young person has so many dreams and ideals but life can change in an instant, as you will see in the Personal Profile. I think it would be difficult to be born with a disability and have to deal with it all of your life, or to have an accident that leaves you disabled. In addition, teenagers can sometimes be cruel to those who are considered "different."
After conversing with you young people during the past year, I commend all of you for your fortitude, ability to cope and your hard work in dealing with your disabilities. You do a GREAT job. Keep it up! (CS)
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It is a fact that thousands of children with disabilities are born into agricultural families or have become disabled because of an accident. Physical barriers as well as the attitudes of many in our society often prevent these youth from participating fully in social and recreational activities. For example, when there is no accessible bathroom at a camp site, a child in a wheelchair cannot attend a week of camp. Adults can be overly protective or peers may make cruel comments. But, this is not always the case as you will read in this issue of the Chit Chat.
There may be barriers and attitudes that prevent youth from being involved in farm operations, as well. Safety is a concern but, as with adults, innovations can make farm life accessible and safe for children and youth. The AgrAbility Project is here to help. Check out the National AgrAbility Website at
http://aben.www.ecn.purdue.edu/ABEN/Extension/BNG/agrabilityproject.html (LL)
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PERSONAL PROFILE: Heather "Kitt Crimzon" Burkhalter
"Kitt Crimzon" is a member of an AgrAbility family and lives in Shambaugh, Iowa. Here is her story:
Due to a strange accident, I was disabled at age 19. I was playing in my first "gig" and was very excited. Some people were playing a game called "Skillet Toss," which means throwing a 10 1/2 pound skillet and seeing how far it will go. All of a sudden I heard a terrible shout, and then BLAMM!! It hit me at the base of my skull.
When I woke up, I didn't know where I was, couldn't talk or move my left side. Some x-rays and a CAT Scan were taken and I was sent home from the hospital. Slowly, I began to say small words and then speak. I could walk, but my left hand and arm wouldn't work.
It took me months to learn to hold my fork, drink from a cup, use my pencil, and put my shoes on. What made me the maddest was that my guitar playing was ruined. I felt suicidal for awhile. I practiced hard and cried a lot. Eventually, I was back to my old guitar tricks and could play better than before the accident.
The worst part was the pain. I was on several frightening drugs prescribed by my doctor. Friends teased me about being into the rock scene and drugs. We laughed about it and it made me feel better.
In July of 1998, I was in a car accident. A friend was driving her car and someone hit us and drove off. I had a head injury on top of a head injury. Oh GREAAT - more pain! I was tired of hurting, but I wasn't about to give up my guitar.
I practiced harder and can play as well as anyone. I don't have convulsions any more. I can't drive my car, can't go as much as I'd like, have to sleep a lot and my head hurts a lot. Sometimes I wish I had never been hurt, but wishing won't take away my disability. I tell people I'm not dead yet. I laugh and tease. Even though I can't get a day job, I'm still going to create one of the biggest rock bands ever! I KNOW I CAN AND I'M NOT QUITTING UNTIL I'M SITTING ON A STACK OF PLATINUM RECORDS. (CS)
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YOU CAN DO IT, RONALD!
Ronald is a 16 year old student at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines who was born with autism. His father, James A. Autry, wrote an article that was published in the June 4 Des Moines Register describing, in very graphic language, Ronald's experience in running a 400 meter race at school. Of special note is the support he received from his teammates and from the spectators in the stand. You can ask for a copy of this article by accessing the Des Moines Register website at www.dmregister.com Click on "Help/Contact us" that you will find in small letters on the right side of the window. Select "back issues" on the left side of the next screen. This will allow you to write in the name of the article you want to read: "You Can Do It, Ronald" by James A. Autry.
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4-H YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
4-H is an ISU Extension program active in every county in the State. 4-H for kids K-12, is "a perfect fit" for youth with disabilities. The 4-H slogan is "Learn By doing" -- a hands- on educational experience. Projects range from an extensive camping program to experimenting with photography; from windowsill gardening to woodworking.
In addition, 4-H encourages mainstreaming so that youth with and without disabilities interact and help each other. Leaders plan activities so that kids with different types of disabilities can take part. For example, an all-summer camping program offers a wide variety of camping experiences in an ADA compliant facility at the State 4-H Campground in Boone County near Luther, IA.
4-H youth from around the state will be attending the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference on the ISU campus the week of June 20-22. Lorrie Long, AgrAbility Program Specialist, has organized a session, "Having a Disability: You and Me and 4-H."
If your son or daughter wants to get involved, or if you are interested in volunteering, contact your County Extension Office by clicking on 4-H Youth Development at www.exnet.iastate.edu/ You will quickly find all kinds of information on 4-H and the opportunities available in your county. (LL)
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FFA INVITES YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES (taken from Bridging Horizons: An Advisor's Guide to FFA Involvement for members with Disabilites)
FFA (Future Farmers of America) encourages youth with disabilities to select agriculture as a career. Agricultural education teachers know about the Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program that allows them to use special equipment or modifications so that students with disabilities can take part in most activities. No project is off limits for students with disabilities.
Leah is blind but, through the FFA program, showed lambs and was involved in competitive public speaking and parliamentary procedure. The audience, and more often than not the judge, never realized she had a visual disability.
Jennifer was born with a rare disfiguring and crippling disease that has required many surgeries. At 10 years of age, she wanted to show sheep and had to learn how to brace her animal because she lacked strength. Eventually she enrolled in agriculture education classes and built a small ewe flock. Because of her determination, she excelled in public speaking, parliamentary procedure and livestock judging, and served as an FFA chapter officer.
Arlen was born with multiple sclerosis. He was totally committed to FFA and found success in it because an >advisor said, "You can do it." (LL)
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RESOURCES AND SERVICES
--Camps for Kids Easter Seals of Iowa offers four types of camp experiences for youth, three of which are located in the tranquility of Camp Sunnyside, 130 acres of wooded land:
For more information, check out the website at www.eastersealsia.org/programs.htm, call 515-289-1933 x207, or email: essia@netins.net
--4-H Opportunities Check out the ISU 4-H website at www.extension.iastate.edu/Pages/y4h/4h/ to find information on opportunities ranging from E-SET (science and technology education for youth), to leadership camps for youth.
--Should a youth consider taking over the family farm? Read what Dr. Val Farmer, a noted newspaper columnist and a weekly guest on the national radio program "AgriTalk," has to say on the topic of youth and the farm crisis. www.valfarmer.com/getdoc.asp?docid=385
--for Caregivers Check this website for articles, resources and online support if you are a parent of a child with disabilities and special needs: http://comeunity.com/disability/index.html
The National Family Caregivers Association is dedicated to making life better for all of America's family caregivers. Visit their website at www.nfcacares.org/home.html
If you have a child with a disability, learn about government services and publications available to you. http://slim2.emporia.edu/STUDENTS/abbasjun/govdoc2.htm (LL)
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AGRABILITY FRIENDS AND FAMILY EVENTS
Freewheelers
--July 8, 2000 12:00 (Note Time Change) Guttenberg Care Center, Guttenberg, IA
Southeast Iowa AgrAbility Friends and Family
--Saturday, July 15 1:00 p.m. Rochester Park, Atalissa, IA (Take I-80 to Atalissa Exit 265; drive north one mile) Meeting and Barbecue (brats and hot dogs provided; pot luck welcomed; bring own beverages) (CS)
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IOWA AGRABILITY - A joint effort of Iowa State University Extension and the Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program of Iowa Easter Seals. 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:
E-mail: agrability@exnet.iastate.edu
Phone: Iowa State University Answerline at 1-800-262-3804
TDD: 1-800-854-1658. Web site: www.exnet.iastate.edu/Pages/housing/other/agrability
...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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