Recently, I had a conversation with an older man who shared that he had a problem, but was fearful over doing anything about it. He was incontinent at times and was embarrassed about the thought of standing in the checkout line at the local grocery store with a package of Depends,. He was sure that every eye in the place would be on him as if he were carrying a large sign that read, "Hey, I wet my pants if I laugh too hard." Within a few days, he was convinced, everyone in town would know about his problem and he would find diapers in his mailbox.
I had not thought of Depends, as a form of assistive technology, but it became apparent once more how much fear influences the selection, application and acceptance of technology that has the potential of enhancing the lives of persons with disabilities; Fear of what others might think, fear of the unfamiliar, fear of the cost, and maybe even fear of renewed independence. I am convinced that one of the most important roles of professionals who work in the field of assistive technology is, as Isaiah suggests, to strengthen the feeble hands, steady the shaky knees and encourage those we work with to be strong and not to fear.
There have been a couple of significant changes at BNG over the past few months. John Schweitzer, our Rural Assistive Technology Specialist for the past 3 1/2 years, has accepted a job with Deere & Company. Rita Smith, now Rita Schultz, has resigned as our Special Events Coordinator. Both have made a real difference and their commitment and contributions are greatly appreciated. Thank you, John and Rita.
Ned Stoller, a recent Purdue Agricultural Engineering Graduate, began January 1 to fill John's position. He brings a strong hands-on agricultural background with solid engineering skills to the position.
As we begin the new year, please remember that the BNG Newsletter is dependent upon your financial support to remain in circulation. No gift is too small and each is greatly appreciated. Your gifts are also tax deductible.
Bill Field, Co-Editor
Barry Delks, Co-Editor
Ed Kirkpatrick, Co-Editor
Preparation and publication of this newsletter was made possible by: USDA Extension Service Grant #96-EDFA-1-0033 and the generous gifts from our readers.
It's not a killer, but it disables. Ask Don Jones, a 61-year-old dairy farmer from Palmyra, Indiana, who has battled hip problems for the past 22 years. He had his first of five hip replacement surgeries in 1974 at the age of 45.
Jones believes that hours of standing on concrete while milking cows was one factor that led to this arthritic condition. "I thought it was a lower back problem for a long time," he says. "You get to a point where you hurt all the time and can't lie in bed without pain. You keep going to the chiropractor and it doesn't do any good."
Daily farm work also is a risk, Jones believes. "You take so many falls, but you get up," he says. "You don't know what damage you may have done."
Recent research indicates that farmers have a greater risk and occurrence of osteoarthritis than white collar or other workers, says David Nordstrom, epidemiologist at the Marshfield Medical Research Foundation, a division of the Marshfield (Wisconsin) Clinic, which houses the National Farm Medicine Center.
Nordstrom examined six studies of osteoarthritis conducted in England, Sweden, and the U.S., which show rates of hip osteoarthritis in farmers are 2 to 12 times higher than for other workers. "The studies disagreed about the association of osteoarthritis with driving a tractor, but one did associate the disease with prolonged standing and heavy lifting," he says. "None of the studies found an association with the disease because of work-related bending, kneeling, or squatting.
"We can argue that farming has an elevated risk of hip osteoarthritis, but we don't know why," he says.
The disease leads to a gradual loss of the bone's protective cartilage cover in the hip joint. The bony surfaces then rub, causing pain. Bits of cartilage can collect in the joint space, leading to inflammation and fluid build-up. It stretches tendons and ligaments around the joint, causing even more pain.
"Hip osteoarthritis is characterized by pain anywhere from the lower back to knee, a possible limp and associated disability," says Richard Johnston, M.D., Des Moines Orthopaedic Surgeons. "We find during examination a limited range of motion and on X-ray, we see degenerative arthritis."
Johnston has done more than 5,000 hip replacements and 3,000 knee replacements since 1969; about 700 of his patients over age 65. Jones' most recent operation cost over $40,000.
"For farmers, we consider the ability to maneuver around machinery and carry feed and seed bags," Johnston says. "The most important factor is the ability to walk and climb stairs."
Don Jones of Palmyra, Indiana, has had five hip replacements over the past 22 years. He no longer is able to regularly perform milking chores.
He advises, "Don't have an operation until it interferes with your life
so much that it's worth the risk, the time, and cost. Find a surgeon and
a hospital that have done a lot of replacements." More than 90% of all
artificial joints never need revision.
Recovery time for total hip replacements begins within the day to a
week after surgery. Patients are advised to walk with crutches for at least
eight weeks and use a cane for two more months. Farmers can be back on
the tractor within six to eight weeks, but it can take up to a year to
be able to carry feed, seed or bales.
In addition to good insurance, Jones has eight children who helped him
through the physical challenges and operations. While his mobility is somewhat
limited, he's able to drive his pickup and tractor. He no longer milks.
"Driving a tractor is one of the least troublesome tasks following
the surgery," Johnston points out. "Livestock farmers have more trouble
living with hip disease."
For more information on farming with arthritis, contact BNG or you local Arthritis Foundation affiliate. David Nordstrom can be contacted at:
Marshfield Medical Research Foundation 100 N Oak Avenue Marshfield, WI 54449-5790
Lisa Ketcham AgrAbility for Mississippians Mississippi Easter Seal Society P.O. Box 4958 Jackson, MS 39296-4958 (601) 982-7051 (Vc) (601) 982-1951 (FAX) (601) 362-2585 (TDD)Agriculture is Mississippi's number one industry, with poultry/eggs, timber, cotton, soybeans and catfish being its top commodities. Mississippi agriculture production reaches across many areas from the short expanse of the coast to the hill country of the north and the flat lands of the Delta. There are so many different landscapes, so many different people, so much variety. The tie that binds it all together is the spirit of community, of home, of love and respect for the land, and the taking time to enjoy life, by showing concern for people. Mississippi has her priorities straight - we keep people first. The Mississippi AgrAbility Project partnership takes off to meet its challenge to keep farmers with disabilities efficiently managing their operations, on their tractors and in their fields.
Herb Willcutt Mississippi AgrAbility Project Mississippi State University P.O. Box 9632 Department of Ag & Biological Engineering Mississippi State, MS 39762 (601) 325-3103 (601) 325-3853 (FAX)
Mississippi is fortunate to be one of the newest states with an AgrAbility Project. The Mississippi AgrAbility Project is a collaborative effort between the Mississippi Cooperative Extension Services (MCES) and the Mississippi Easter Seal Society (MsESS). MCES offers the knowledge base of production agriculture specialists and senior design students from the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department. MCES also provides a statewide network of county agricultural, 4-H and home economics agents as a means of client identification, direct assistance and outreach. MsESS is a well established nonprofit disability service organization, committed to standards of excellence for this project, through their vocational rehabilitation counselor/case manager.
The partnership also includes the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS). MDRS is staffed with vocational rehabilitation counselors across the state who are already working in the field providing evaluations, services, and funding for assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. A unique, one of a kind component of the partnership is the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability, a clinical service center located at Mississippi State University. All of these organizations have formed a partnership in an effort to identify and provide services to farmers with disabilities to increase their chosen vocational outcome - agriculture.
AgrAbility is being promoted across the state. We have traveled statewide, in Mississippi's ten rehabilitation districts where presentations have been made to over 200 professional rehabilitation counselors explaining the AgrAbility partnership and stressing the importance of networking with their county extension agents. This training has resulted in statewide referrals from MDRS. AgrAbility has also been promoted to the state's extension agents and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) professionals, reaching over 500 individuals at their MCES/MAFES Annual Convention. Brochures, news articles, and television interviews are among other ways the Mississippi AgrAbility Project is being promoted. Plans for 1998 include conducting in-depth training to provide the extension service and vocational rehabilitation field staff with information about AgrAbility and serving individuals with disabilities.
On-site farm assessments were conducted as early as the first month
of the project, and the caseload has mushroomed. Presently, 11 of 82 counties
are represented. An Advisory Council has been established which includes
farmers with disabilities and representatives from the MS Farm Bureau Federation,
state forestry industry, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services,
Mississippi Easter Seal Society, New Holland, and John Deere Company.
The project's peer counseling network is viewed as vital to the success
of the project. As the project matures and client satisfaction grows, our
existing peer counseling network will continue to grow.
The Mississippi AgrAbility Project is off to a good start! The project
plans to succeed through its partnerships, networks and priorities...keeping
people first. For more information, contact Lisa Ketcham, Case Manager
with MsESS, at 601-982-7051, or Herb Willcutt, MCES Agricultural Engineer
and Emily Knight, Program Assistant, at 601-325-3103.
This issue features a method for convenient access to cattle on pasture while operating an ATV.
Problem: Opening and then closing a gate when entering or exiting a pasture holding cattle.
Solution: A drive-over cattle guard that is placed in the fenceline.
Idea From: Maddock Manufacturing
RR#2 Box 19
Maddock, ND 58348
(701) 438-2629
Maddock Manufacturing in North Dakota sells a three-piece stock guard that is placed in the fence line. This device allows a farmer or rancher to enter a fenced in area without the trouble of opening and closing a gate. The user simply drives his ATV right over the cross bars of the cattle guard. Cattle refuse to attempt walking over the widely spaced bars. It is especially useful for people who have difficulty standing or dismounting from an ATV. However, anyone will find it to be a time saving item. The unit is light enough to be portable so it can be switched to a different location if needed. Its three-piece design also makes it practical as a ramp for driving an ATV onto the back of a pickup truck or trailer.
If you wish to build a drive-over stock guard that can accommodate a truck or tractor, plans are available through the Midwest Plan Service. The Midwest Plan Service has printed booklets (sold at a minimal cost) on several areas of agricultural production. Drawings and a material list for stock guards can be found in the "Beef Housing and Equipment Handbook." Booklets can be requested through the Agricultural Engineering Departments at all midwest land grant universities, or for more information, contact Breaking New Ground.
The Maddock Stock Guard can make access to pastures and pens more convenient.