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AgrAbility workshops help promote programBy D. Bruce Bosley Colorado Approximately 80 percent of all Americans experience back pain at some point in their life. Farmers and ranchers are more at risk of experiencing back pain because of the nature of work on farms and ranches which typically includes heavy lifting and repetitive movements such as turning to look behind the tractor that can increase strain on the back. No one knows this more than Ed Morris, a third generation farmer in Rocky Ford, Colo., who grows corn, hay and runs 22 head of Angus cattle. Ed was referred to AgrAbility by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. At the time of referral, Ed was experiencing daily pain and chronic discomfort from a back injury, bone spurs and a slipped disc in his lower back. The AgrAbility team at Easter Seals did an evaluation of Ed and his farm. Ed was having a difficult time climbing up and down a dirt embankment in order to place siphon tubes to irrigate his land. The steep angle and soft dirt made climbing up and down painful, difficult and dangerous. In addition, Ed was having a harder time climbing onto his tractor. Ed thought the daily pain he experienced was just a way of life, but Ed knew there had to be a better way of doing things. A "better way" came in the form of ideas and modifications from the Colorado AgrAbility Project. Three ladders were fabricated which allowed safer, easier access up and down the embankment. AgrAbility also recommended changes to Ed's John Deere 4020 tractor including adding steps, using a swivel tractor seat with suspension and placing extra mirrors on the exterior of the tractor. These steps gave Ed easier access to his tractor. The swivel seat and mirrors allowed Ed to see implements and the ground behind him without twisting his back, and the suspension reduced the shock to Ed's back. Ed reports that these changes gave him the ability to complete tasks that were previously almost impossible for him to do and greatly reduced the pain he felt while completing the other tasks. When asked which changes AgrAbility recommended that have helped the most, Ed replied "the ladders." "I needed them badly; they helped me get up and down the bank to check the cattle." Ed continues the 80 year farming tradition by doing what needs to be done with increased safety and less stress on his back. This year the Colorado AgrAbility Program is offering 16 free workshops in eight communities throughout Colorado. On most days there will be a workshop in the morning and a workshop in the afternoon. The morning workshop is titled "Living with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Disabilities on the Ranch/Farm." This workshop is from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a free lunch served from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., for those who pre-register at least one week prior to the workshop they plan to attend. The afternoon workshops are for professionals who work with ranch and farm families with disabilities. The workshop will focus on "AgrAbility and Utilizing Resources for Farmers and Ranchers with Multiple Sclerosis and Other Disabilities." AgrAbility workshops will be conducted on Feb. 11 at the First Presbyterian Church at 110 W. 4th Ave, Yuma, Colo., and on Feb. 12 at Sterling at the Logan County Extension Office, 508 S. 10th Avenue. Persons planning to attend a workshop should call Dr. Bob Fetsch 970-491-5648 or e-mail fetsch@cahs.colostate.edu for more information on these two and other workshops or to register so that a lunch can be provided for you. 1/19/09 Date: 1/14/09
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