Helping A College Student Get A Grip On Disability

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

| NEWS & NOTES Helping a College Student Get A Grip On Disability (NAPSA)—Like manycollege students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham,there’s a young man who spends much of his time studying, working, volunteering and somehow finding time for fun. Unlike most of his classmates, however, he has a disability. Born with a congenital limb deficiency, Steven has never been embarrassed or uncomfortable because of his disability. “In first and second grade, Steven would get up in front of his class and demonstrate how his prosthetic hand worked,” said Kathy, his mom. When Steven was 10, he became a patient at Shriners Hospitals for Children—Greenville. Steven was originally treated at a local limb deficiency clinic. “At other hospitals and clinics I have been treated at, I was just a chart number. At Shriners, the staff did, and still do, try to get to know mepersonally,” said Steven. “They always took time with me to answer questions.” He wasfitted with a myoelectric hand. “It took me a little while to learn how to use it, but I don’t have any problems now,” said Steven. “I can do anything that someone with two armscan do now.” The Greenville hospital staff helped him learn to use the prosthetic device. “Everyone wasalways so outgoing and positive, and encouraged meto try new things,” said Steven. “They were always interested in new ways I had found to do things, and were positive I could do anything. I never thought I couldn’t do something because I only had one hand.” In high school, he maintained a 4.0 grade point average while serving on a school advisory board and volunteering at the local library. He received the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and was Having a myoelectric hand helps Steven enjoy many activities, including bicycling. named to “Who’s Who Among High School Students.” In college, Steven is studying to be a civil engineer. After graduation, he wants to continue his edu- cation by attending night classes to earn his master’s degree, and hopes to one day design bridges and parking decks. For more information on Shriners’ network of 22 hospitals that provide medical care and services totally free of charge to children with orthopaedic problems, burns and spinal cord injuries, write to Shriners International Headquarters, Public Relations Dept., 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607 or visit the Web site at www.shrinershq.org. Treatment is provided to children under age 18 without regard to race,religion or relationship to a Shriner. If you know a child that Shriners can help, call 1-800-2375055 in the United States or 1-800-361-7256 in Canada.

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