1/15/09

Special Needs Youth Thrive in 4-H

Being a teenager can be a time of self-discovery, mixed emotions, and gaining perspective in life. Being a teenager with disabilities is the same except it can also be intensely isolating if you feel left out because of your differences. Enter 4-H in Kitsap County. Clubs there have long welcomed youth with differing abilities and, more recently, two new clubs have formed specifically for children with special challenges.

Vickie Hoefer leads the Justice Riders Club in Olalla. Her son Terry, 16, has cerebral palsy and David, 18, a mild form of autism.

“4-H has made them feel so independent,” said Hoefer. “They like being part of a group and knowing they are part of society. Their disabilities don’t stop them from participating,” she added.

Terry’s mini horse, Ra, and David’s quarter horse, Buddy, provide life skills in responsibility, caring and communication. Record books are a collaborative effort with Vickie doing the typing and the boys tracking the data. Upcoming meetings include making bird feeders, visiting a goat farm, learning about chickens and poultry, and hearing a farrier talk about essential horse care.

This past summer the brothers participated at the Kitsap County Fair showing Ra and doing herdsmanship in the barn. “I liked taking leadership in the group,” said David. “I helped decorate the stalls and I liked helping others and encouraging my fellow club members.”

Terry also took his horse to the petting farm at the Fair. “I liked telling the public about my animal and letting the public see a disabled person can have fun in 4-H,” said Terry.

Kelly Fisk, Kitsap County 4-H Youth Development Coordinator, works with clubs to ensure members receive services to accommodate individual needs. “It’s important for people to understand that special needs members are just as capable as anyone else in challenging themselves and achieving success,” said Fisk. “A number of people see the disability and not the child. Expectations are then lowered and the child is not pushed to their individual capabilities because of lack of knowledge or inexperience with the disability and modifications that can be made,” added Fisk.

Community service is intrinsic to Hoefer’s club. Their current project is sending greeting cards and raising money to help a soldier in Iraq. Since joining 4-H Hoefer has seen her sons’ willingness to reach out to others grow. “They like working with other people and getting things done,” said Hoefer. “It brings them a sense of well being. They have a feeling of ‘I did it and nothing can stop me.’ It’s a great sensation.”