Ohio

Ohio AgrAbility enjoys a collaborative relationship with assistive technology (AT) vendors. Some of the best days for Ohio AgrAbility staff are equipment delivery days - the result of many farm visits, building rapport with the farmer, writing assessments for Ohio's Vocational Rehabilitation agency (Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities [OOD]), and coordinating with the vendors. All of the hard work is worth it when the farmer receives the AT and they can continue working safely and productively.

Hal is a farmer in northwest Ohio. He and his wife operate Hopes Blessings, LLC, a therapeutic horse farm. Hal is paralyzed and was limited in what he was able to do on the farm. Ohio AgrAbility staff worked with Hal and OOD to complete a farm assessment and advocated for AT to keep Hal farming. Hal was approved for an Action Track Chair to give him access to his barns and fields. He has this to say about receiving an Action Track Chair:

"I'm very excited to be able to get in with the horses, feed them, and lead them. Also, to take the dog for a walk on the leash. I'm also excited to be able to go hiking with my family. There are very few places I can take my regular chair, and this will open a whole new world of opportunities for us."

The delivery day photo shows (left to right) Rachel Jarman, Randy Joseph (Ohio AgrAbility), Hal, Kim and Jade McCabe (McCabe Outdoors)

Submitted by: Rachel Jarman and Laura Akgerman