AgrAbility eNote banner
April 2024

Colorado

CO AgrAbility team clowning around with anamtronic bull T-Bone at AgrAbility NTWCAP staff were excited to have much of the Colorado AgrAbility Project team (Rebecca, Bob, Chad, Jim, Kirsten, Julie, Natalie, James, and Myra) in Atlanta for NTW! In case you missed it...

CAP co-director Robert "Bob" Fetsch presented on his research in partnership with Brian French and Sarah Ulrich-French (Washington State University) regarding quality-of-life outcomes among AgrAbility clients. As of 2024, among 17 participating state AgrAbility projects, 69% (N = 205/299) of clients reported improving all parts of their life - physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial - between when they began and when they completed their work with AgrAbility. For more information or if interested in bringing the quality of life study to your SRAP, please email robert.fetsch@colostate.edu.

CAP co-director Rebecca Hill presented on her upcoming researching surrounding the economic impact of AgrAbility across the nation. If you have thoughts on how this project should further proliferate, email rebec.hill@colostate.edu.

CAP's behavioral health specialists Chad Reznicek, Jim Kuemmerle, Kirsten Wulfsberg, and Julie Elliot, presented on the promoting not only physical, but psychological well-being among AgrAbility clients. For example, in February, Kirsten hosted a presentation in Gunnison County on managing stress associated with calving season. For questions about this type of engagement, please email chad.reznicek@colostate.edu.


2 female and 1 male CO AgrAbility interns - the male in a motorized wheelchair - in front of a corralThis spring CAP was able to work with two interns from CSU's occupational therapy graduate program. This has been a tremendous, mutually beneficial partnership. Read about Sabrina's experience of interning with AgrAbility below:

Growing up in North Carolina, Sabrina had always felt a deep connection to helping others. From volunteering with peers who had autism in middle and high school to working in a neurorehabilitation outpatient center after college, Sabrina always felt drawn to healthcare but wasn't sure of the exact direction to take. When she stumbled upon occupational therapy, she realized it was her true calling. The holistic approach of OT, focusing on helping individuals lead independent and fulfilling lives, resonated deeply with her.

In her first year at CSU, the opportunity to intern with the Colorado AgrAbility Project came up, perfectly blending exposure to her interests in neurorehabilitation and nature immersion. AgrAbility's mission to support farmers and ranchers with disabilities resonated with her current focus on neurorehabilitation, while also offering a valuable glimpse into the world of specialized home healthcare. Working with clients in their natural environments was a new and valuable experience for Sabrina, offering a chance to learn about their daily routines and challenges in an immersive and personal way (along with the opportunity to work outside!).

Throughout her internship, Sabrina found great fulfillment, particularly during home visits with Candy, who inspires her to always put relationships first and truly get to know clients as people. A recent moment touched Sabrina when she connected with a woman with a disability who runs a small farm in Northern Colorado. When Sabrina asked her how she handled the recent snowstorm, the woman expressed concern. Sabrina was able to share information about AgrAbility and directly connected her the National AgrAbility Toolbox, an online database for farming and ranching assistive technology. The woman responded with immense gratitude and said, "The universe must have brought us together today!", after learning about the opportunities available through AgrAbility.

Sabrina provided several ways in which her internship with AgrAbility will impact her future career. From seeing firsthand the impact of assistive technology on farms and ranches to gaining invaluable experience learning how to conduct observations and assessment techniques in home environments, Sabrina has learned skills that will serve her well as a future occupational therapist.

Submitted by Natalie Bachmeier