Nebraska
Nebraska AgrAbility staff attended the AgrAbility Regional Workshop in Ft. Collins, CO. Participating were rehabilitation specialists Rod Peterson and Del Ficke, development specialist Kerry Hoffschneider, and OT graduate student Rae Zabokrtsky. Highlights of the event were visiting with Colorado AgrAbility clients who found purpose and passion in their work despite a disability.
"Preventing Back Pain and Back Injury" was the focus of the AgrAbility health fair display and presentation in Franklin NE. Sharry Nielsen staffed the booths for AgrAbility information and preventive measures during the event. She also presented an educational session about using ergonomics to prevent back pain, and served healthy snacks to participants. The presentation was developed by OT grad student Rae Zabokrtsky, who was unable to be part of the event. About 120 people attended the health fair.
With prevention as the focus, Sharry Nielsen presented safety around chemicals and ATV safety at two health fairs in October. About 440 youngsters, 30 adults and 24 teens participated in the events, where she used fitting an ATV/proper gear and hazardous look-alikes as learning activities.
Rod Peterson, rural rehab specialist, attended the vocational rehabilitation annual convention in Kearney, where he hosted a "lunch and learn" table. VR Counselors from around the state stopped by the table during lunch to discuss AgrAbility. He also did a short video as a "VR Partner" congratulating them on a record year of successful outcomes. VR achieved 2014 successful outcomes in 2014! Congratulations to Nebraska VR Services on a great year from Nebraska AgrAbility, Easter Seals, and UNL!
Lance's Journal is a TV segment where Lance Schwartz highlights people and places in Nebraska. On October 27th, Lance's Journal featured Nebraska AgrAbility client Clayton Hergott from Hebron, NE. Del Ficke, Rural Rehab specialist, spoke of Clayton and the friendship that has risen from their shared love of livestock. See http://www.1011now.com/lancesjournal
Submitted by Sharry Nielsen