PROJECT HELPS FARM FAMILIES TOUCHED BY Disability By Chuck Rafferty
Brian Bard accepted researcher Ron Jester’s invitation to roll his wheelchair up on to the Ventrac Freedom 300 tri-wheeler and take a spin. Bard was apprehensive at first, but he soon discovered the Freedom 300 is really easy to use.
“At my level of disability, I didn’t think I’d be able to use it, so it’s amazing.”
Ron Jester directs the Delaware-Maryland Agrability Project. Ventrac donated the Freedom 300 to Agrability. Jester says they will be made available to farmers in wheelchairs for a free trial.
“Agrability identifies the farmers with disabilities, then we introduce them to assisted techniques so they can continue to farm. Because the last thing a farmer thinks about when he becomes disabled is giving up the farm.”
Agrability partners with the Centers for Independent Living, Easter Seals, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to restore mobility to farmers with paralysis or amputations. It didn’t take much to convince Brian Bard.
“I want one. It’s neat. It really is.”
“The watch words of Agribility….when disability strikes a family, everything changes, except perhaps the desire to continue farming.” The following tips were gleaned from a variety of articles found on the Internet –ed
CREATIVE ACCOMMODATIONS
A tree pruning saw attached to a 30-foot bamboo pole allows a wheelchair user to trim his tree branches.
Straws customized for individual needs can be made from Plexiglass tubing. Cut, heat and bend as needed. These straws can be used for drinking in bed, at work, etc.
One wheelchair user says the legrests from manual chairs make good reachers.
Sip and puff mouthpieces are cheaper from a dental supply company — 100 for $3 .
Use the button hook/zipper pull cuff for cleaning finger nails, and ripping shrink wrap off of CDs. PAM cooking spray makes transfers easier when sprayed on the transfer board.
Stretched out coat hangers make good reachers.
FOR SALE !!!!
*Invacare Action Power Chair; 5yrs. Old; elevating leg rest, reclining back; used only 10 hrs due to changing medical condition; $1500 or best offer. Call LeRoy at 964-0285
*2003 Ford F-250 lift-equipped green/gray van; leather seats, TV, DVD player. Playstation hookup, am-fm radio. Rick Miller, 937-2245.
*RoHo High Profile 16x16 cushions; $160; 589-6620.
*Ford 1997 Econoline Van; 100,140 mi; $16,000. Hunter Green-gray; new tires & brakes; "loaded"; call 270-786-4547; ask for Dale.
*Cookbooks for Sale : Recipes compiled by Chapter members; $10:00. Call David @ 589-6620.
*Video tapes for sale . Various topics related to spinal cord injuries. Call David Allgood or Buddy Lawson.
***If assistance is needed to pay for any of the above items, contact Kentucky Assistive Technology Loan Corporation at for information on loans at 5% interest to qualified candidates.
