|
|
|
Assistive Technology Resources National AgrAbility Workshop (2001 - 2008)
Download PowerPoint Viewer |
Promoting Success in Agriculture for People with Disabilities and Their Families
Client Story: Becky ConradOpportunities Bloom for AgrAbility ClientNestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Butterfly Gardens provides a colorful display of annual bedding plants, the newest varieties of tomato seedlings, hardy perennials, roses, shrubs, and lush hanging baskets. While the success of this rural business is a part of the story, the owner’s determination is a testament to her passion for gardening and her entrepreneurial spirit. Becky Conrad, Butterfly Gardens’ owner, lost her sight over twenty years ago from Retinitis Pigmentosa. She was diagnosed at age nine with RP, a condition where photoreceptor cells gradually degenerate and die, resulting in progressive vision loss and eventual blindness. By the time she was 20, she could no longer see to walk. She started working with the West Virginia Division of Rehabilitation Services (WVDRS) to determine a career path that would accommodate her blindness and provide an income. Like many rural communities, Braxton County where Becky grew up had limited options for employment, and WVDRS policies, at the time, did not support self employment. Becky began training as a medical transcriptionist, but quickly realized it wasn’t for her. “I love words and enjoyed the medical field,” She says, “but found it impossible to get to a job because of lack of transportation.”
What Becky wanted to do was work outdoors with plants. “I’ve loved plants since I was a little girl,” she says. In the early 1990’s Becky and her husband, Bobby, started a greenhouse business a few miles from their home. Becky worked full-time in the greenhouse and Bobby split his time between the greenhouse and a job in town. When Bobby’s job became full-time, they closed the greenhouse because Becky lacked reliable transportation. After the greenhouse closed, Becky turned to her other love, writing. She had a regular column with Enablelink.com, was a featured writer for Dialog magazine, and a contributing author in Mountain Voices: Illuminating the Character of West Virginia. Becky’s passion for working with plants and the land continued to call her so she decided to start her own business again. She had heard about West Virginia AgrAbility (WVAG) through the University of West Virginia Cooperative Extension and called them. “Her love of gardening was there all along and I saw it as my job to help make her vision for a greenhouse into a reality,” says Inetta Fluharty, WVAG program manager. Before the business could become a reality, Becky needed to obtain a loan, write a business plan, and find ways to adapt her work environment to accommodate her vision loss. Stacy Miller, WVAG information specialist, connected her to extension resources. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) referred her to the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA), Socially Disadvantaged Persons (Minorities and Women) program. FSA required a business plan before they would consider Becky’s loan request. WVAG suggested Becky return to WVDRS. This time WVDRS was able to support her self employment venture and paid for someone to help Becky research and develop her business plan. The SBDC provided insight into building the business plan. Stacy provided pricing information and connected Becky with a local fern grower to learn about growing ferns. A screen reader and talking business calculator, purchased by WVDRS, were invaluable aids in putting the plan together. During the planning phase, Becky realized that her water well wouldn’t adequately meet her business needs. Inetta suggested she apply for a Natural Resources Conservation Services grant. Becky was awarded $2,700 of the $4,000 needed for the well. Coupled with her own funds and the FSA loan, she opened Butterfly Gardens in 2003. With Becky’s resourcefulness and the help of her service dog, Amos, she is able to do most of the greenhouse tasks herself. There were still a few work adaptations that needed to be resolved. Even though she can identify plants by touch, labeling was impossible. Additional issues were identifying specific colors; watering hanging baskets, since Becky can’t reach all of them; and knowing when customers arrive.
In addition to providing agriculture resources and supporting her self employment plan with WVDRS, AgrAbility staff made several farm visits and offered Becky and WVDRS suggestions for adapting the work environment. A Voice-It-All hand-held device was funded by WVDRS to help Becky identify colors of plants as well as denominations of monetary bills. Though Becky could easily tell a customer where the tomatoes were, she might not know exactly which flat contained the Persimmon Orange tomato. Adhesive labels made by the Braille label-maker did not adhere to the stakes because of the humidity in the greenhouse. Inetta and Becky are trying a customized Braille label made by using a thin sheet of copper with a slate and stylist. This label can be inserted into the soil directly or tied with wire around the edge of each flat of plants. Inetta brought Becky a wireless alert system to try. The system would alert Becky to approaching customers. By mounting the sensor at the entrance of the driveway and taking the console with her, Becky knows when someone is coming. This allows her flexibility, as well as some peace of mind because new customers don’t know to call out when approaching. “I have a hard time telling people I’m blind. Most people see Amos and understand, but I appreciate any little thing that will help them get the picture.” Becky is considering purchasing the system. The height and location of the hanging baskets makes watering difficult. Becky and Inetta are experimenting with ways to improve the watering system. Becky would also like to build a pond system so she can sell water lilies. When the time comes, Becky will again ask Stacy for extension resources on pond systems and plants. Rural transportation is a more difficult issue, and until more resources are available Becky says she will continue to rely on family and friends to make her deliveries. Becky’s passion for working outdoors has other benefits. As her RP progressed, she lost a significant degree of light perception and her body has a difficult time sensing daylight and establishing a normal sleep cycle. Days spent indoors, even to write, often result in insomnia and migraines. Being in the greenhouse daily, however, is like intensive light therapy for her body, helping her sleep at night and reducing headaches. Becky continues to write and volunteer her time so that others with visual impairments can experience nature. Recently, she was asked by the Huntington Museum to help design a butterfly sensory garden. She also has contributed stories to Wilderlust, a publication of the National History Education, Science, Technology group, about how people with disabilities enjoy nature. Becky’s story is an amazing affirmation of what perseverance, passion, ingenuity, and an entrepreneurial spirit can accomplish.
|
||||||||||
| © 2000-2010, agrabilityproject.org and the University of Wisconsin Regents. USDA Grant 2000-41590-0932 and 2004-41590-01880 |
