Katherine Eichelman (IMJR in Disability Rights) spent spring 2009 working as a direct service provider at Bittersweet Farms in Ohio. She plans to graduate in December 2009 and hopes to work as an advocate for persons with disabilities.
“This past spring I worked at Bittersweet Farms in Whitehouse, Ohio. I sought out an internship with Bittersweet Farms because it was the first farm of its kind in the US to create a residential and vocational program for individuals with autism. Since the 1970s many such farms have been built around the country using Bittersweet as a model. Bittersweet Farms’ mission is to maximize opportunities for the individual development of persons with autism by providing an array of premier services to individuals and support to families. Bittersweet Farms has very full programs in the morning and early afternoon for the residents as far as vocational skills and artistic activities go. I worked the second shift as a direct service provider, which meant I worked in a house with six residents and assisted them with activities of daily living. The level of assistance varied depending on the needs of each resident. Everyday we had certain learning goals we would work to meet, for example, cooking goals like preparing dinner or a dessert, or just socializing goals, like reading a book aloud or playing a board game.”
“My work was geared towards reinforcing the residential goals within the home rather than the farm work. It was very encouraging to see that the farm kept everyone busy and productive. Days weren‘t wasted on busy work; rather, our residents worked at tasks with purpose. For example, they began the vegetable garden from seed, they tended the garden until the vegetables were ripe and then picked the produce for the local farmers market or for a recipe that would later be prepared. They could see a task through – a task that contributed to their community -- and that is very important. I wish I had had availability earlier in the day so that I could have worked on the farm and could have seen the horticulture therapy classes, wood shop, art therapy, and other daytime programs that happen there. There were always a number of projects going on from wreath-making to potting plants to making chairs and birdfeeders.”
“This job helped me get acclimated to my new environment too, since I was new to the greater Toledo area. We took weekend trips out into the community to go shopping, see movies and see the Toledo Mudhens baseball games.”
“I really valued the time spent getting to know the six guys who lived in the house where I worked. They each had unique personalities and contributed to a wonderful experience at Bittersweet Farms. They were all very interested in getting to know me and were willing to help me learn the ins and outs of the job.”
Katherine's advice to students considering getting an internship:
“I definitely recommend an internship, especially to an individualized major. Working in the field that you are studying really validates all the efforts you put into designing your own major. You see why all your extra work is worthwhile and that there is a place for you and your specialization. The experience you gain from an internship is irreplaceable.”
Internship: Disability Rights