Pictured below from left: Kathy Strong introduces Daniel Guyton, Danielle Trevino and Jenarie Alexander at the recent Leadership Nacogdoches session. 
The Leadership Nacogdoches class spent an active day with March session leaders Kathy Strong, Nacogdoches Treatment Center, and Nancy Jones Berry, Memorial Hospital. The focus for the March Session was Community Services for People with Disabilities.
Class members began their day at the Nacogdoches Treatment Center. Not only did they learn the services and activities provided there, but they also were given the opportunity to interact with a three-person panel. Each person on the panel gave a personal testimony of living with a disability and answered questions from the group. Interesting points about Nacogdoches and the SFA campus were discussed, also. Our city and university campus have made significant improvements to accommodate people with disabilities and there are more changes to come. Strong said that the improvements made on the SFA campus attracts more people with disabilities to our area than most realize.
After, the class traveled to the Nacogdoches Boys Ranch where each was treated to a personal tour of the facilities by a Boys Ranch resident. Everyone then enjoyed a delicious barbeque lunch with his or her tour guide. Director Bill Harrison explained the purpose, goals and challenges of the Boys Ranch.
A tour of Independence Manor followed. Class members not only had the chance to walk the grounds, but they also took advantage of the opportunity to view several residents' apartments and visit with the Independence residents.
Below: D'nese Haddox, SFA Dept. of Housing, manages to keep her big gulp safe and sound as she works with her new wheels.
The physical challenge of the day came in the afternoon when blindfolds, wheelchairs and ear muffs were distributed among the class. Each person chose a "disability" and then set out to accomplish a list of tasks given by the session leaders. Maneuvering throughout the downtown area and crossing North Street to visit the courthouse facility gave the group a chance to experience a small slice of the life of someone that lives with a disability.
Pictured below from left: Robert Rasberry, BancorpSouth, Vickie Atkinson, Memorial Hospital, Corey Ashley, First Bank & Trust East Texas and Kati Saldana, Etech, Inc. make their way along the busy brick streets of downtown Nacogdoches; each managing a type of disability.
