Recalling a fun hayride in the 1990s with other Social Workers, including an LCSW Colleague, whom would eventually become Ms. Wheelchair America ... breaking open pathways for all ....
About 25 years ago, when we used to live near the old Kleinpeter Farm off of Perkins - now The Settlement at Willow Grove, I planned a fun Hayride Party for my Baton Rouge Social Work Case Management Team.
Greg and Donna Kleinpeter would host wonderful gatherings for birthdays and other functions that we could see within a stone's throw of our then Oak Hill Crossing House that included riding a pony, milking a cow, roasting weiners, etc.
And my late mother was a Kleinpeter with connections to the Dairy Family, so I had the blessing of also being able to go snake searching with our boys, Andrew and John Paul, as well as once a “Sweet 16” party for our Daughter, Maria-Therese.
So after work one day, many of my colleague Social Workers joined us for some fun frolicking at the Kleinpeter Farm that also included feeding the cows … like folks nowadays get to do for other animals at the Global Wildlife Center in Robert, where I hope to take our grandson the next time he is in town from Kansas.
One oversight that I had unfortunately done in preparing for the guests at the hayride was quickly solved as some of us joined together as a team to hoist our great LCSW colleague and commrade, Karen Fernbaugh Roy, LCSW up on the hayride cart … in her wheelchair.
As we are celebrating Social Work Month in March, we all continue to honor and learn so much about Karen's “Stand For Life,” as she was selected Ms. Wheelchair America 2019.
In an Advocate Letter to the Editor last year, I had noted the following:
"It was a true blessing to have met Karen in the 1990s when we both worked at the Baton Rouge General, where she clearly demonstrated to our Social Work team, other clinicians and especially to our patients, that she always embraced compassion, integrity and professionalism — and with such a joyful demeanor to boot.
What a great role model for all of us to follow in transforming adversity into advocacy, care and love for others.
I join other proud Redstickers and all Louisiana folks in making a toast to Karen, and we pledge to join her and all that she "stands for" about our abilities to come together for a better world."
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, 1133 Knollhaven Drive, BRLA 70810, khorcasitas.yahoo.com, March 5, 2019.
What a wonderful story about Karen. That's quite an honor becoming Ms. Wheelchair America 2019. I have met several Ms. Wheelchair Texas winners over the years at the Abilities Expo. They all are a great inspiration.
Everyone should have a dairy farm experience like you noted. I grew up in central Wisconsin around dairy farms of my grandparents and cousins. I never milked a cow, went on a hayride or sleigh ride, even though they were common among farm families.
One time our division VP had a retreat for his staff at the Lazy L. Ranch the Texas Hill country. I was somewhat in disfavor and wasn't invited. However, my immediate supervisor insisted that I go and I was allowed to if I took my caregiver with me. They struggled to carry me into the bus and the ride was long for me, but we got there okay. At one point, while carrying me in my electric wheelchair upstairs to a meeting, those carrying me broke a leg rest. But the staff at the ranch was very handy and repaired it while I used a portable wheelchair.
There was a hayride and shish kebab cookout. They lifted me up on the hay wagon and I had a wonderful time with my caregiver that I'll always remember.
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About 25 years ago, when we used to live near the old Kleinpeter Farm off of Perkins - now The Settlement at Willow Grove, I planned a fun Hayride Party for my Baton Rouge Social Work Case Management Team.
