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Show HUltopfM0 August 3, 2000 y f , - - Jr $ ! - - . ; Cerebral palsy doesnt stop ability, Bouchard has supervised work- by Mary Galbraith Hilltop Times staff l - k I ' Hill lead item manager ers with disabilities and is the parent of a child with a disability. Denise Bouchard has never really thought of herself as different. Bouchard, one of two item managers in the Training Systems Management Directorate, was born with cerebral When I was growing up things were not as available as they are today. Disabilities were not discussed, she said. I just learned to adapt and know how to ask for help. Thats major being able to know you can ask for help and it is OK. She hopes her daughter, Chantel, is .. palsy. Cerebral palsy occurs when a fetus or infant brain is injured before, during or after birth. The portion of the having a better experience growing up with a disability then she did. Bouchard adopted her daughter from India when she was Her daughter had polio and now uses a walker or wheelchair for mobility. brain damaged in cerebral palsy patients controls muscle tone. There are several types of palsy affecting individuals differently. Her cerebral palsy three-years-ol- affects her small motor skills and d. Through outpatient treatment at Shriners Hospital in Salt Lake City, shes sig- speech. Bouchard, the lead item manager, is responsible for 14 trainer devices and nificantly improved. mentoring the other item manager.-She- s Theyve done marvelous things with been instrumental in develop- her and shes totally a different child now than what she was 11 years ago ing property disposal actions and workI adopted her, she said. when ing with contractors and government Bouchards daughter spends time at agencies to ensure items slated for disthe base Youth Activities Center. should posal actually be discarded. Bouchard said at one time there was When she began working for the federal government 22 years ago, Bouchard no access for her wheelchair. She consaid the basic philosophy for people tacted Civil Engineering and within with disabilities was deal with what weeks her daughter was able to access the Building. She also had her daUgh: you have. She said acceptance has significantly changed during her years ter enrolled in the base childcare pro- here, and the government has made gram and said it was also extremely accommodations that allow it to tap accommodating. She said that anytime shes brought the problem to the disabled workforce. Over the years I have seen major someones attention and filled out the necessary paperwork, modifications improvements as far as their willing: " ness to add handicap parking, ramps, have been made. Bouchard said in a lot of cases, .with accommodating equipment whether . , - i 1 it be computerequipment keyboard or chairs whatever is needed, she said. Most times if its adjusting at;, the job I simply go to my supervisor. Theyre very willing to accommodate my needs. Im not saying my experience is everyones experience, but mine has been good. At first glance Bouchards worksta- tion is a replica of other cubicles in Bldg. 1226, with family photos decorating a cramped space. For the most its exactly the same with the exception of a keyboard that adjusts part, to conform to Bouchards disability. Bouchards cerebral palsy causes tightening in her hand muscles, which makes it difficult for her to type on a conventional keyboard. The keyboard is highly adaptable allowing several hand positions. It allows her to customize so her hands are in the most comfortable position. Besides dealing with her own dis Games, . , minor adjustments or accommodations, individuals with aMisability are a valu- ? able resource that benefit both government agencies and private business. There are many people out there with many abilities that are untapped because no one wants to take the time to talk to them and to find out what they can do to use the talents that these people have. McCleary said Bouchard is a highly respected professional in YW and an expert in her field. Supervisors shouldnt judge too quickly when taking a look at somebody with disabilities of any nature, She does a wonderful job and I dont consider her disabled, said Karl McCleary, chief of the Training Systems Division and Bouchards supervisor. Shes an excellent, hard worker whos proficient and gets things done' said McCleary, adding Bouchard . in a quick and timely manner. She comes to work ready to work, and has been a lifesaver on programs weve been having some problems with. Some people think she has limitations because of her disability , but Ive never seen any. She does everything shes asked and more. I wish we had 100 more like her. pie-in-t- he s Games for all ages will be featured Monday when the 75th Air Base Wing hosts its 2nd annual Sports Day for wing personnel and their families. The Sports Day is an opportunity for wing personnel to participate in a variety of sporting events and for each group, united as a team, to compete offifor the traveling trophy, 75th Services Division comcials said. Col. Kenneth M. Page, 75th ABW mander, presents the trophy at the end of the activities. Most activities will be held at Centennial Park, with others scheduled for nearby softball fields, the Hess Fitness Center, the Hill Bowling Center and has often taken on extra assignments and stepped in and successfully turned around problem programs. The Department of Defense currently employs about 9,000 employees with a severe disability (1.25 percent of the civilian workforce). The Air Force employs 1, 560-civilian- with disabili- s ties (1.17 percent of the workforce). The DoD goal is to increase those numbers to two percent by targeting individuals who are hearing or vision impaired, missing extremities, have partial or complete paralysis, a convulsive disorder, mental retardation, metal illness or genetic or physical conditions that affects limbs or the spine. A 1999 survey conducted by the National Industries of the Severely Handicapped concluded individuals with disabilities employed by the federal government save the government, on average, $3,700 per person annually. About 30,000 currently fall into the category. Savings are accrued in reduced need for government-benefits like food stamps and housing and unemployment benefits. cost-savin- gs face highlight 75th ABW sports day the Hubbard Golf Course. Childrens activities begin at 9 a.m. at the park with music by DJ Cindy Sue and a sand box dig. Other events are a dress-urelay at 10 a.m.; a three-legge- d race at 11 a.m. and a water balloon toss at p 1 p.m. Sports events will start with a 5K, four-perso- n relay at 7:30 a.m., beginning and ending at Centennial Park. Also scheduled is an 8:30 a.m. golf tournament at the Hubbard Golf Course. At 9 a.m., The Hess Fitness Center will host 3on-Sand Volleyball, a bench press Basketball, 3 -4 swim relay. At the competition, and a same time, there will be a tournament at the bowling center, and a home-ruderby on the Rex Soft-ba200-met- er n ll Field. A family picnic will be held in the park from noon-- 2 p.m. The cost is $1 per person. Afternoon activities are adult games, including a dunk tank, jail, and a tug of war from noon-- 3 p.m. in Centennial Park; and a bed race at 2 p.m. in Parking Lot A near the softball fields. At 3 p.m. the annual Sports Day Traveling Trophy will be presented to the winning group commander. pie-in-the-fa- ce |