THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611050133
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATRICK BUCHNOWSKI, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: 73 lines
In class, 17-year-old high school student and 4-H member John Steele puzzles over math problems or raises his hand to answer questions posed by his teacher. At home he pecks away at the keyboard of the family computer or plays Nintendo. After school on Wednesday you can find him with the 4-H Club studying the incubation of baby chicks.
His artistic talent flourished at the Virginia State Fair in Richmond this fall when his arts and crafts entries netted him first- and third-place ribbons for his Popsicle-stick condominium and a latch hook rug.
But unlike other youths, this Salem High School student's biggest challenge comes not in the classroom, but in his ongoing battle with familial dysautonomia and congenital sensory neuropathy, rare genetic diseases that cause mental retardation and stifle growth development of the bones.
Although he's in 10th grade, John reads on an elementary school level. His 4-H friends are middle school and high school students with various physical and mental disabilities. Yet, they're a determined bunch who pool their time and talents to make crafts, learn about the environment and sometimes compete with mainstream students in arts and crafts competition. They call themselves the 4-H Respite Rangers.
``We started the 4-H Rangers 11 years ago as part of the respite after-school program for children with mental retardation,'' said Nadine Bialowas, a respite-care coordinator whose 14-year-old son Matthew is in the 4-H program. ``We get them involved in activities that build their confidence.''
Meeting each week at Princess Anne High School, 25 to 30 youths with mental and physical handicaps participate in activities that include cooking, poster projects and plant and soil studies.
4-H clubs have been instilling positive character traits in young people since the first ones were formed nearly 100 years ago. But the Rangers have shouldered an additional task - breaking down the walls that separate special needs children from the mainstream. In addition to classroom activities, the group participates in hay rides and parades and members make and sell jewelry at the annual Pungo Strawberry Festival. The special events bring together the club members and the people in the community, said Paula Lamberty, a respite aid.
``The kids get confidence being involved with others outside the group,'' she said. ``It helps to break the stereotype that people have about the handicapped. It's not mainstream in one corner and special needs in the other corner.''
Because of their disabilities and lack of facilities to raise livestock, the group is unable to raise pigs and chickens as the traditional 4-H Clubs do. Each child, however, is able to participate to some extent, said Diane Steele, John's mother. Steele said she was more than surprised when she was told that both of John's entries in the State Fair had won ribbons in his first competition.
``I was ecstatic,'' she said. ``I was excited because of the fact that he competed with children without disabilities.'' Steele described her son as unexcitable and yet very determined when he gets his mind set on a project. John took his winning in stride.
``Glad,'' he said in describing his feelings when he was told he had won. ``Excited,'' he added.
Using brief sentences, John said it took nearly two months to complete the Popsicle-stick condominium, which won first prize and included grass and iniature cars. The latch hook rug bares a likeness of horse head against a red background. His next project, he said, is a Bugs Bunny latch hook rug.
His mom hopes that someday John will be able to move into a group home and explore life on his own. But for now, she said, each of John's achievements are proof of what children with disabilities can accomplish when given a chance. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by CHARLIE MEADS
John Steele's Popsicle-stick condo won first place and his latch
hook rug placed third at the Virginia State Fair. by CNB