-
By: Diana Johnsen djohnsen@kcautv.com The Denver-based company, Premium Pet Health is opening a new branch in what use to be the AdvancePierre Foods plant in Orange City. The move is expected to bringMore>> The Denver-based company, Premium Pet Health is opening a new branch in what use to be the AdvancePierre Foods plant in Orange City. The move is expected to bring 115 new jobs with it. More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) Hundreds of people greeted about 50 Iowa Army National Guard soldiers at a homecoming ceremony in Waterloo. The Tuesday morning ceremony was for soldiers from DetachmentMore>> The unit transported and cared for patients who needed treatment in hospitals. Their deployment included more than 3,200 combat hours and more than 650 medical evacuation and training missions.More>> By: Jessica Rae jrae@kcautv.com Dylan Fischbach is from Vermillion, South Dakota, so the last place you might expect to find him, is in Turkey representing the U.S. at wheelchair basketball, but that'sMore>> By: Jessica Rae jrae@kcautv.com Dylan Fischbach is from Vermillion, South Dakota, so the last place you might expect to find him, is in Turkey representing the U.S. at wheelchair basketball, but that'sMore>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) A Department of Natural Resources biologist says Iowa's pheasant population likely will decline this year because of the cool and wet spring. DNR upland wildlifeMore>> DNR upland wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says Iowa's pheasant population usually increases after mild winters and dry, warm springs. This year, a snowy winter was followed by record-setting cold temperatures and rain.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News (AP) A forensics lab has opened at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha with a special mission: identify the remains of missing soldiers, sailors and airmen from past wars.More>> A forensics lab has opened at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha with a special mission: identify the remains of missing soldiers, sailors and airmen from past wars. The lab has been constructed at Offutt Air Force Base inside a section of the massive former Martin bomber plant.More>> Laurel, NE Economy To Receive a Boost
By: Sam Doerr sdoerr@kcautv.com Agrex, a grain merchandising company based in Kansas is coming to Laurel, Nebraska. And by doing so they are single handedly changing the economy there. Ground was brokeMore>> Agrex, a grain merchandising company based in Kansas is coming to Laurel, Nebraska. And by doing so they are single handedly changing the economy there.More>> By: Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com A man in his mid 20s has slipped and fallen into the Missouri River.More>> Police have released the name of the man who was swept away in the Missouri River early Friday morning.More>> SD Domestic Abuse Law Hits Snag Over Same Sex Couples
By: Channel 9 Eyewitness Newsnews@kcautv.comPIERRE, S.D. (AP) A South Dakota legislative panel has started a study of the state's domestic abuse laws, but it has delayed a discussion on whether thoseMore>> Lawmakers could not agree on whether protections provided by the domestic abuse laws should extend to same-sex couples.More>> by Channel 9 Eyewitness News news@kcautv.com At around 12:30 this morning, authorities responded to an accident at 2001 Rebecca Street. Officer Rick Kinnaman said the driver didn't have any major injuriesMore>> Authorities responded to a roll-over crash at 2001 Rebecca StreetMore>> By Staci DaSilva sdasilva@kcautv.com A petition in front of the Iowa Department of Education right now would toughen restrictions regarding school start dates. Governor Terry Branstad said on MondayMore>> The Iowa Great Lakes loses half its revenue when school starts in August, according to its Chamber of Commerce.More>>
By: Tim Seaman
tseaman@kcautv.com
Communication is a cornerstone of society. Maintaining that link is a daily focus for workers at Mid–Step Services Courage Homes.
"There really isn't any other way for them to decide or understand how or what they want to be doing or what they need to do," says Jeremy Dumkrieger of Mid-Step Courage Homes. "These instruments are very important for us," he adds.
About 70 clients with varying degrees of intellectual and physical disability reside at Courage Homes. Touch-to-talk tools are one example of the kinds of adaptive equipment supported by Variety the Children's Charity.
Dumkrieger says, "They can tell when they want to go to their room."
Modified writing and eating devices as well as specially fitted wheelchairs also help keep clients connected.
"Adaptive equipment devices allow this person to, who would otherwise be at the subject of a care giver to have a voice to communicate their desires and needs," says Jack Ellis, Administrator at Courage Homes.
"These are made of space age materials. Very expensive. When I first started it was a carpenter working with a physical therapist and occupational therapist," says Ellis.
Enabling others while adapting to change. A mission you can help complete.
"On a daily basis we try and teach them how to be independent and have their own sense of freedom that they can makes choices on their own," says Dumkrieger. "It takes gradual steps to try and effect the environment and to understand how to act with in it."
Ellis adds, "They're things that can open up a world that would be closed otherwise."
