For Iowa's farmers, mobility and independence are essential to running a successful operation. When the ability to be independent comes crashing to a halt, feelings of hopelessness are not far behind.
Don Wohlford, a life-long farmer in the Hampton area, can testify to these feeling, but he is an inspiring example of how much one person can overcome. Wohlford has been named FaRMer of the Year by the Easter Seal Society of Iowa. This award is given in recognition of a farmer with a disability who practices safe farming methods.
Wohlford saw his career and lifestyle disappearing in December of 1992, when he had a tumor removed from his spinal cord. The surgery left him an incomplete paraplegic with only minimal feeling and movement in his legs.
"I felt like my life was coming to an end," said Wohlford, who farms 1,100 acres, has 1,500 farrow-to-finish hogs, and feeds 40 beef cattle. "I had no idea what I would do next."
While Wohlford was still in the hospital recuperating from his surgery and contemplating what would happen to him in the future, he was visited by Tracy Keninger, rural rehabilitation specialist for the Easter Seal Farm Family Rehabilitation Management (FaRM) Program. Keninger told him about some of the equipment modifications that have been implemented for other farmers who require assistive modifications to their farm and home because of a permanently disabled injury or illness. She left videos about the program to give him something to think about.
"I watched the videos several times and did a lot of thinking," said Wohlford. "In the hospital, you have plenty of time to think. When she came back, I had a few ideas and plenty of questions to ask her."
After months of physical therapy, Wohlford had strengthened his legs and knees enough that he could stand with the assistance of a walker, and felt ready to try a return to the farm. He and Keninger looked for a mode of transportation that he could get in and out of easily, and decided on a five-wheel John Deere all materials transporter (AMT) in which he could haul materials to the eight locations he farms. Keninger helped Wohlford access state funding to purchase the AMT. The vehicle was equipped with hand brakes, and Wohlford moved the seat back to make it more accessible.
After the successful modification of the AMT, Wohlford and Easter Seal Rural Rehabilitation Technologist Byron Hemingson added extra steps and rails to Wohlford's other tractors to enable him to climb in and out. Hemingson also gave him plans for an electric tractor lift, which one of Wohlford's friends build for him.
Wohlford is grateful to his family and members of the community for their strong support and encouragement over the past several years. "People are just great - they couldn't be any more helpful," he said. "They go out of their way when they see I need help with something."
Wohlford's positive attitude and determination are inspiration for many who meet him, those with and without disabilities. He is an active member of Easter Seal's Peer Support Technology Network, which means he visits with newly disabled people to encourage them and listen to their concerns.
"Don is a great example for other farmers with disabilities," said Keninger. "He has faced many challenges and obstacles since acquiring his disability, but has remained and has stuck with the love of his life - farming. The Easter Seal FaRM Program is merely the tool to help Don and many other farmers meet their goals and keep their dreams of remaining in farming alive, " said Keninger.
Wohlford sums up his attitude by saying, "Whether I'm a nice guy or a big jerk, I'm still paralyzed. I figure there's no reason to take it out on other people."
Wohlford knows that all of his challenges aren't in the past, though. He has broken each of his legs once since the surgery, the result of falls when his knees buckled.
"My biggest concern is getting older," said Wohlford. "Walking is very important to me, and whether I am going to be able to keep walking is a big concern to me. I have to be sure to get enough exercise to keep my circulation going."
Wohlford does stay very active in the community in addition to his farming. He is the Franklin County Farm Bureau past-president, and he and his son have been named master Pork Producers. This year, he was a co-chair for the Franklin County CROP and was asked to serve on the Board of Directors of the Easter Seal Society of Iowa, which he says is both a surprise and a pleasure.
"I was very proud to be nominated, and I hope I can bring a farmer's point of view to the board," said Wohlford. "I am grateful to Easter Seal for the help they've given me."
The Easter Seal FaRM Program has a variety of modifications available to make all types of farm equipment accessible to people with disabilities. Some of the most frequent modifications include extended and widened steps on machinery, and hand controls for gas, brakes, and the clutch. Tool handles can be built up to make gripping easier, and hammers, buckets, and staple starters can be modified for one-handed use.
"These are very common things that we do all the time," said Tracy Keninger, manager of Easter Seal's FaRM Program. "But, in some cases, we have to make more complex modifications to enable people to stay on the farm.
When a farmer has an unusual need, the FaRM program calls on members of its ingenuity network. Ingenuity network members have technical expertise and experience in a variety of areas, and can virtually invent a modification to fit an individual circumstance. Network members have designed modification such as specialized tractor lifts, and lifts and ramps for houses. While modifications of this sort are typically more expensive, the FaRM Program is able to help farmers with disabilities access state funding.
For more information on the Easter Seal FaRM Program and its projects, contact them at 515-289-1933, extension 251.
In this issue, we'll discuss a variety of adaptations that can be used in and around the farm. For more information on adaptations that can be made in a farm setting, contact the Easter Seal FaRM Program at (515) 289-1933. For more specific information on one of the products listed below, contact the manufacturer.
The Pilot Lift, from Life Essentials, is a lift that can be adapted to a variety of transportation and mobility applications. It features three-way directional movement that allows comfortable access to a full 360 degrees and a compact mounting system. It works with pickups, farm equipment and even boats. It comes as either a seat lift or a platform lift for people who are ambulatory, but need assistance in special situations such as climbing onto equipment. There is also a version of the lift that moves making a shop or work-site more accessible to those who cannot walk or who have low mobility. From the seat or platform, the user has control of the lift with a hand-held control, it moves the lift up or down and pivots it around the mounting unit. For more information on this product contact Life Essentials at 800-LIFE-740 (543-3740).
The Body Cooler System helps individuals with quadriplegia prevent heat stress by regulating body temperature. The system consists of a mildew resistant urethane -coated nylon vest and a coolant compartment which is mounted to the back of a wheelchair. The vest is secured to the torso with Velcro straps. The coolant system is filled with 8 to 10 cups of crushed ice and 1/2 gallon of water. The vest is then connected directly to the cooler. When the system is activated, cool water is pumped through the vest keeping the body cool. The Body Cooler System runs off a power wheelchair and the System II has a battery power pack that when fully charged will last up to 8 hours. There is also the Cool Vest which has a zippered pouch housing a heavy-duty zip-lock ice/water bag, a battery, and a pump, making the vest self-contained. You can also get the Ice Pack Vest, which has no electrical components or batteries, just a set of 6 gel strips to provide cooling. For more information on any of the Cooling Systems or Vests contact Barrier Free Lift Systems, Inc. at 301 Clary Drive, Mesquite, Texas 75149 or call them at 800-232-4718.
The Sifa Stand-Aid, by Willow Pond Tools, is a special lean-on stool that can take up to 70% of a person's weight, relieving stress put on the back, legs, and feet due to prolonged standing. This stool works for those who must stand at their jobs or for someone who does a lot of standing while working in their shop. Use of the Sifa Stand-Aid can also prevent additional injury. It adjusts up to 10 inches in height and has an adjustable seat angle with spring controlled pivoting. For more information, contact Willow Pond Tools, Inc. at PO Box 544, Pembroke, New Hampshire 03275 or call them at 603-485-2321.
The Iron Horse, by Iron Horse Productions, is a manual wheelchair built to work in a variety of outdoor settings. Unlike other chairs with bolt-on axles, the Iron Horse uses patented front and rear spring suspension systems to reduce stress to both the user and chair frame. The chair has quick-release axles, and folds to under 12 inches, with the rear wheels on. It comes in 16 and 18 inch seat widths and a variety of tire tread options such as street tread, mountain bike tread, and bush tread. You can also get the Iron Horse E-FIX equipped power wheelchair with the same folding frame suspension. It comes with a joystick control unit, 24-volt power drive system, For more information contact Iron Horse Productions, Inc. at 2624 Conner Street, Port Huron, Michigan 48060 or call them at 800-426-0354 or 810-987-6700.
The Ventrac 2320, from Venture Products, is a unique power unit that enables people with disabilities to independently perform a wide variety of outdoor activities such as moving the lawn, hauling heavy objects, and blowing leaves. The Ventrac is a two-wheel drive mobility device that can work in commercial or private settings. You access the unit through a hydraulic tailgate that lowers and then lifts the wheelchair and user onto the Ventrac. There are a variety of attachments that can be attached or removed all from the vehicle, without requiring the wheelchair user to dismount or have additional assistance. The attachments include a mower, miniature bulldozer, slip scoop, and leaf blower. There is also a Ventrac 300 which is a three-wheeled unit that offers greater mobility and independence around rough terrain, or farm. This unit is also driven from the wheelchair and accessible by a ramp in the back. For more information contact Venture Products, Inc., PO Box 148, Orrville, Ohio 44667 or call them at 303-683-0075.
The ElaineAnne Lift System, by KVB Manufacturing, is a wheelchair lift designed specifically for GM trucks or sport utilities such as the extend cab pickups, Suburban, Tahoe and Yukon. The lift is set up on the driver's side, and lifts the person and their wheelchair right into the driver's position, so that you can drive from your wheelchair, and without a raised roof. Only the driver's seat is modified, leaving the passenger space available. It has adjustable shoulder and head rests, an automatic wheelchair restraint system, adjustable wheelchair positioning, and the option for additional controls to be installed into the headrest, such as the turn indicator, wash/wipe switch, hi/low beam, and horn. Additional controls can be mounted on the door for activation with the elbow, such as a cellular phone switch. This lift system is installed in new vehicles ordered directly from GM. The installation takes place in Canada, then the vehicle is shipped directly to a local dealer. This system is eligible for GM's $1000 Mobility Rebate Program. For more information, contact KVB Manufacturing at 62 Maple Avenue, Smiths Falls, Ontario Canada, K7A 2A7, or call them at 800-565-9845.
The Freedom Lift from Freedom Technologies, Inc. gives a wheelchair user access to motor vehicles, farm and industrial equipment, RVs, buildings, and more. It is designed to be mounted in the back of a standard 1/2-ton or 3/4-ton pickup truck. The lift comes with a radio remote control and the platform has mounted toggle switches for unassisted operation. The lift has hydraulic operation and offers 7 feet, 8 inches of lift height, and 10 feet, 11 inches of lateral lift distance, and 180 degree turning radius. The Freedom Lift, though designed for farmers with disabilities, can be used in a variety of settings. For more information, contact Freedom Technologies, Inc. at PO Box 258, RR #4, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7K 3J7 or call them at 306-244-1508.
The Easter Seal Society of Iowa's FaRM (Farm Family Rehabilitation Management) Program has created an AT peer support advocacy program called the Peer Support Technology Network, which is coordinated by Tracy Keninger, a staff person at FaRM.
The purpose of the Peer Support Technology Network is to create a core of volunteers who have disabilities to provide technical assistance as well as emotional and psychological support to individuals who have recently been disabled. In addition, they will provide coping skills as they acquire and use assistive technology.
When FaRM first created the program, they identified participants from their original referrals. They began with a statewide training to discuss issues such as what types of equipment are available, the stages of adjustment with a disability, and the prevention of secondary injuries. The training was videotaped to be a tool for future, individual training.
After the initial meeting, FaRM held three additional regional meetings across the state. Programs for these regional meetings provided more hands-on and one-to-one training on effective peer support skills. By the end of this series of meetings, FaRM had a core group of more than 80 individuals trained in peer support. Individual matches for peer support are facilitated primarily through FaRM staff. In addition to the one-to-one support, there are monthly meetings.
The Peer Support Technology Network has become a part of the IPAT AT Advocates, which has created an opportunity for FaRM to recruit regional leaders. Tracy Keninger and these regional leaders have developed a manual identifying their responsibilities.
The consumers have taken leadership roles in developing and running their peer support groups. This includes training for caregivers of individuals who use assistive technology. For more information about the Peer Support Technology Network, contact Tracy Keninger at FaRM, 515-289-1933, ext. 251.
Iowa's 1998 Assistive Technology
Conference and Expo
Friday, April 17, 1998
Polk County Convention Center--Des Moines, Iowa
Want to learn more about assistive technology? Then plan to attend Expanding Horizons, Iowa's 1998 Assistive Technology Conference and Exposition. Conference presentations include a variety of topics including accessible homes, legal issues, computers, inclusion, and Web resources and strategies. There will also be a computer lab where you can watch demonstrations, and get hands-on experience.
The deadline for early registration for the Conference is March 23, 1998, and the fee is $60. Registrations after March 23rd will be $80. The Assistive Technology Exposition will have a variety of vendors and their products, from low tech to high tech. Admission for the Expo, is FREE to the general public. For more information, a conference program, or a registration packet, please contact:
Linda Murray
University Hospital School
100 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011
319-356-1523
The InfoTech newsletter is a publication of the Iowa Program for Assistive Technology, a project of Iowa's University Affiliated Program. The program is based in The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. InfoTech aids individuals with disabilities, parents, families, and professionals by providing information on the availability of both new and used adaptive devices. No endorsement of products or services is intended. For more information on devices or for help in locating other types of specialized equipment, call: 1 (800) 331-3027 (voice/TTY).
IPAT is supported by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, United States Department of Education (NIDRR/ED). This material does not necessarily reflect the views of NIDRR/ED or indicate official endorsement of their contents.
InfoTech, Iowa Program for Assistive Technology, University Hospital School, 100 Hawkins Drive, Room S384, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1011
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