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            Auburn University - University Relations
                         (334) 844-9999
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5/5/95                  Janet McCoy/Diane Clifton

WHEELCHAIR GAMES; DISABILITY AWARENESS OBSERVED AT AU MAY 8-14

      AUBURN -- More than 90 athletes from around the Southeast are 
expected to participate in the 15th Annual Dixie Regional Wheelchair 
Games May 12-14 at Auburn University. And a day-long festival and a 
public lecture are just some of the events to highlight Disability 
Awareness Week May 8-14 on campus.
      Dixie game events include swimming, table tennis, weight lifting, 
track, air weapons and field competitions. Competition will be held at 
the AU Student Activities Center, the Martin Aquatic Center, the Wilbur 
Hutsell Track and the Auburn National Guard Armory.
      The games, which were held at AU last year, are just one of 
several events scheduled on the AU campus during Disability Awareness 
Week,  says Kelly Haynes, director of AU's Program for Students with 
Disabilities.
      Anita Rhodes, an instructor in AU's School of Nursing, says her 
10-year-old son, Jacob, who was born with Spina Bifida, competes in the 
Dixie Regional Wheelchair Games. In fact, the fourth-grader has won seven 
national records for world wheelchair swimming and three Dixie regional 
records in track and field events.
      "Jacob is a very normal 10-year-old and wants to do things 
everybody else is doing," she says.
      Unlike other athletic events for the disabled, the Dixie 
Wheelchair events are rigorous and competitive. 
      "They train, they work hard and not everybody wins. If people 
come out, they will be truly surprised at what they'll see,Ó says Rhodes. 
"Parenting in general is a challenge but when you have a child with 
disabilities it's more challenging.Ó
       Rhodes will give a lecture titled "Parenting Children with 
Disabilities" on Tuesday, May 9, at 6 p.m. in Miller Hall auditorium. The 
lecture is part of Disability Awareness Week and Nurses' Week and is 
sponsored by the AU School of Nursing.
      "What we hope to do with this seminar is to enhance parents' 
strategies in dealing with this," she says.
      The AU Program for Students with Disabilities will sponsor a 
Disability Awareness Day program Tuesday, May 9,  in the Haley Center 
lobby to showcase talents of the disabled and distribute information from 
numerous exhibitors.
      Several artists, including amputee Rusty Redfern of Stone 
Mountain, Ga., who draws pen and ink drawings with his feet, will have 
their work for sale.
      In addition,  about 20 exhibits will be on display, including 
those from the American Cancer Society, the Epilepsy Foundation, the 
Braille Literacy Foundation, the Southeast Alabama Sickle Cell 
Association, Camp ASCCA -- Easter Seal, HealthSouth Rehabilitation 
Hospital of Montgomery and Drake Student Health Center.
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may95:disabilityweek
      CONTACT: Haynes, 334/844-2096; or Rhodes, 334/8446759.
      (NOTE: Anyone interested in volunteering for the Dixie Wheelchair 
games should call Tracy Donald at 844-2118, or register in 1232 Haley 
Center.)