Boy Scouts from Troop 175 took part in the Disability Awareness Merit Badge over the month of May.
A powerpoint presentation was offered by merit badge counselors Mr. and Mrs. Duff about person first language, disability etiquette, and the history of disability awareness and law was offered to kick off the badge work. The same evening Mr. Bubnash offered a personal story and pictures about the life his son Michael Bubnash, who is living with a traumatic brain injury after injuries sustained in an automobile accident. The scouts were riveted to learn about a fellow scouts' experience especially since he is an Eagle Scout.
The second badge workshop included a panel discussion comprised of teenagers who experience a challenge in their lives. A guest, Colleen, shared about going to school, playing sports and living in the community with a spinal cord injury that requires her to use a wheelchair. Three Scouts from the troop also shared their stories. Rob shared about a new diagnosis of arthritis and how that will impact his active school, sport and scout life. Carter candidly spoke about his experience with attention deficit disorder and its involvement in every aspect of his day. Michael shared about having the birth defect of spina bifida, using a wheelchair to navigate the world of home, school, community and scouting as well as the surgeries and complicated medical issues that affect his life. In patrol corners the scouts further explored locations they are familiar with and how accessible friendly they are for persons with disabilities. Discussions took place about myths and misconceptions about persons with disabilities and the professions that provide service to them.
On the last nights' merit badge workshop the scouts temporarily accepted the assignment of a disability. Some scouts were speech, vision or hearing impaired while others were physically constrained by not using their dominant hand to record with and some were placed in wheelchairs with out the benefit of using their legs. The scouts were grouped in teams and given the challenge of completing an orienteering course that required them to cooperate and record information while negotiating the normal daily obstacles that persons with disabilities navigate like, doors, curbs, uneven surfaces, and unfamiliar locations. A presentation by Mr. Ken Messier included showing a video and discussing Sled Hockey as a sporting pursuit by people who are not able to walk or skate. Thanks to the kindess of Mr. Messier we also had use of wheelchairs for our orienteering course! The evening concluded with an energetic game of ball played by some in wheelchairs and others on foot.
The scouts were able to help at the Harc Walkathon with a greater awareness of disability. The troop ran, walked and talked with the many participants who were fundraising for persons with intellectual disabilities. In true scouting spirit they also helped collect trash, clean up the site, and load the truck to conclude the day.
Tremendous scout spirit was demonstrated when the scouts formed three man teams, fundraised and executed the biking, agility-skill drills, running, canoeing, and firebuilding components of the Amazing Race which was a benefit for Michael Bubnash of the Simsbury community. They competed along side brother scouts from other troops to complete the arduous course and delighted in meeting Michael in person for the day at Curtis field in Simsbury.
