Iowa AgrAbility

Agrability Chit-Chat, Newsletter
Vol. 3, No. 1 -- January 2001

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IN THIS EDITION:
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CONTENTS: Winter Challenges and Solutions

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CARM'S COMMENTS: Carmen Schacht

I sure haven't liked this year. It seems that we can't get through very many days without ice, snow or fog. I have missed more work this year than I have ever missed since I started.

I am sure it has been a hard winter for many of you, too. It is hard to get from place to place if you have to get a chair through snow, or if you have leg problems and have to be very careful so you won't fall. I chatted with one person who uses a manual chair in place of his electric chair during the winter because he can get around in it easier. I know what he's talking about--I have had a few problems with my scooter. One night when I came out of work, there was about six inches of slush that had been pushed off the roof of the building. The maintenance men didn't realize that there was a handicapped van parked down there. I was stuck. Luckily, there were a couple of men around who pushed me through the slush. The next day when I came to work, the whole lot was clean as a whistle.

I know that this has been a hard winter for many of you who are on fixed incomes. I work with Community Action in the LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) Department. This program is designed to help low-income families with their heating bills.

Applications are taken at Community Action sites across the state on a first come, first serve basis from November 1 - April l5, Monday - Friday. To apply you need proof of income on last year's income tax form or information identifying income received 13 weeks prior to the application date. You also need to take a copy of your most recent heat bill and a most recent electric bill. Payment is sent to your heat dealer with the exception of people whose heat is included in their rent. If you are on a fixed income such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Administration pensions, other pensions, Temporary Aid to Needy Families, or unemployment income, take a copy of your most recent check or a bank statement showing the amount you received. Thresholds (which means you can't have more than the dollar amount indicted) for eligibility are as follows:

1 person - $12,525; 2 persons- $16,875
3 persons - $21,225; 4 persons - $25,575
5 persons - $29,925; 6 persons - $34,275

This program is for anyone who qualifies. Don't be afraid to use it. Don't skimp on food or medicine just to pay your heat bills. (CS)

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AN AGRABILITY SUCCESS STORY!

One late night in August of 2000, Ed Gutcher was immersed in the whine of his saw blade and the smell of sawdust at his off-farm job in Pella. The oversized table saw he uses sucks sawdust out at the bottom. The sawdust was piling up so Ed shut the machine down and turned off the power. He reached down to clean out the sawdust and suddenly his fingers were gone! He felt like a fool and could only think, "now what am I going to do?"

Ed screamed for help and a nearby coworker immediately called the rescue squad. He was rushed to the Pella Hospital and from there he sped by ambulance to Iowa City, sedated by shock and morphine. After 14 hours in surgery, two of Ed's four fingers were reattached.

In five days Ed was back on the farm. He felt fortunate that his 220 head of cattle were out on pasture. His nephew and neighbors helped bring in the crops from his 200 acres of farmland near Albia. Ed said, "you find out who your true friends are. Those who were casual friends are now better friends."

Ed recognizes that the accident didn't just happen to him. His sister, who lives nearby, is a constant source of encouragement while the trauma has been especially hard on his mom. Ed affirmed, "I feel closer to my sister and mom since the accident."

It took Ed three weeks before he could even look at his hand. "The sight of it still haunts me. People at work understand, but I don't go places I used to go," he lamented.

AgrAbility contacted Ed in November when they learned of his injury from his sister. Partners in AgrAbility, Mary Yearns from Iowa State University, and Tracy Keninger and Sheri Mathis from the Easter Seals FaRM program, visited Ed at home. Tracy asked, "what are your problems, Ed?"

"I can't tie my shoes nor button the sleeves of my shirts. I have no feeling in my fingers and can't straighten them. It's hard to keep my hand warm; I can't get my fingers into a glove. I can't carry buckets of feed like I used to," Ed responded with frustration. Ed added that he has difficulty holding wrenches, fixing fence, and that it takes him an hour to connect a hydraulic hose.

Sheri contacted the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services within a week and sent Ed information on hydra- grips and easy connect couplers. Mary contacted Janis Stone, Extension Specialist in Clothing at Iowa State University, to ask about a mitten to keep Ed's hand warm. Janis found a pair of snowmobile mittens at a specialty shop in Ames. They are made of a heavy nylon fabric that is abrasion-resistant and waterproof, with a rubber palm and thumb to make tools and objects easier to grasp. The mitten has a large opening to make it easy to slip on, and a drawstring at the top to keep out breezes. The extra length and extra insulation provide additional warmth. After wearing the mittens, Ed said, "thank you, you did a good job!"

Ed is committed to meeting the challenges of learning to adapt. He is a farmer and he plans to continue being a farmer. He can no longer throw corn to his cows but he can pour it out. He can no longer carry a bucket in his left hand but he can hold it in his arm. He has learned that people will help if you ask.

Ed is supported in his commitment by the combined expertise of the Easter Seals FaRM Program and ISU Extension. The FaRM Program specializes in helping farm families with disabilities achieve greater independence through assistive technology and rehabilitation services. ISU Extension provides valuable information on farming, financial management, clothing, nutrition, management of stress, and any number of other needs that the family may have. AgrAbility staff care personally about members of the entire family. The goal of AgrAbility is to make a difference; to help farm families with disabilities stay engaged in life.

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CLOTHING: Janis Stone

To pick up some good ideas to help you select clothing for yourself or a family member with a disability, click on the attached file. There is, also, an excellent article on "Buying a Warm Coat" at this web address: www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/NCR131.pdf It provides excellent, concise information on the features of a warm coat. It, also, explains the advantages and disadvantages of different coat fabrics,

You can find even more ideas on clothing selection by exploring these websites:

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BE PREPARED FOR WINTER STORMS!

"Stalled…but Safe" will help you prepare for winter travel, or deal with situations such as stalled, stranded or snowed- in cars. You can get a free copy of NCF 170 to put in your glove box by contacting your county extension office or the ISU Extension Distribution Center at 515-294-5247. Locate your Extension office at www.extension.iastate.edu/ and click on County and Area Offices. Here is a quick check list:

Does your car have….

Do you have these items in your survival kit?

Do you have this clothing with you?

(LL)

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RESOURCES

--If you think you are a victim of domestic violence and you have a physical or mental disability, call the Family Violence Center a service of Children & Families of Iowa (515-243-6147 or 1-800-942-0333). Abuse may be physical/sexual, emotional/psychological, financial, isolation, or threats to take the children.

--If you use a wheelchair, here is another neat clothing website where you can actually order items: www.adrianscloset.com

--Check out the ISU Extension news releases where you will find suggestions for preventing calf scours, using organic mulches to preserve moisture, using stockpiled grazing to reduce feeding costs, and more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/newsrel/

--Your County Extension website has a list of events that might assist you at home and on the farm. For example, you can learn to buy and sell ag products on-line with E- Commerce Transactions. You can receive guidance in private pesticide application. You might want to become a Master Gardner, a Master Conservationist (includes sustainable agriculture issues and pond management), a Master Woodlot Manager and Tree Steward, or a Master Navigator (internet technology). Connect to the ISU website at www.extension.iastate.edu/ and click on County and Area offices to learn of your county's events. (LL)

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AGRABILITY FRIENDS AND FAMILY EVENTS

Freewheelers
--March 10 New Hampton Library 1:00 p.m. (CS)
Southeast Iowa AgrAbility Friends and Family

--Schedule for 2001 (for all members and their friends):
April 14 1:00 p.m.
July 14 1:00 p.m.
October 6 1:00 p.m.

--We hope every one had a nice Holiday season and a good beginning in the NEW YEAR! All of our meetings will be on a Saturday. We hope to catch some of you with some time off; maybe you could share some of what you have been doing the past year. Dennis and I have a lot of information to share with everyone. It will be good to see some old friends. Also, we usually have a barbecue each year. Maybe this year Dennis will be able to have it at his new house which is coming along nicely. We will send out flyers before each meeting to keep you informed. We are looking forward to seeing you all. Contacts: Dennis Byrnes (319) 946-3905 and Ron Bradley (319) 724-3918. (RB)

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