MANSFIELD — Mary Frankenfield of the Mansfield/Richland County Public Library found it challenging to resist the temptation of removing shaded glasses that impaired her vision Thursday.
Frankenfield was one of several members of the Richland Area of Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Unlimited group who participated in an array of activities meant to simulate developmental disabilities in recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.
Sponsored by Richland Newhope/Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities, the 16th Annual Community Awareness Day took Leadership Unlimited members to different locations, where they were given a simulated disability for about two hours and performed tasks that individuals served by Richland Newhope do on a daily basis.
The event is focused on the “abilities” that everyone has to offer.
Frankenfield joined Melissa Drozda of Catalyst Life Services and Alicia Blackledge of the Area Agency on Aging at Element of Art in downtown Mansfield, a nonprofit art gallery that showcases the artistic talents of individuals with developmental disabilities affiliated with Richland Newhope.
Art Coordinator Kathy Goodwin led the trio in the making of fused glass.
With bandages wrapped around their body, both Frankenfield and Drozda gained a better understanding of what it’s like to have cerebral palsy — a disorder of movement, muscle tone or posture that is caused by damage that occurs to the immature, developing brain, most often before birth.
“I don’t have the use of one arm and I have vision impairment,” Frankenfield said of her simulated disability. “I can see shapes, and when you’re up close I can kind of see your face.”
Frankenfield’s mother is legally blind.
“I feel like I’m experiencing a little bit of what she deals with every day,” she said.
Drozda had a couple bandages wrapped around her arms and legs, making movement very challenging.
“It’s actually very uncomfortable and painful,” she said.
“I was asking her (Goodwin) if people with cerebral palsy are in pain all the time, and she said that you get used to it, but that it is still very uncomfortable,” she said. “Just to have to walk around with the physical discomfort on top of all the other challenges, that wasn’t something I thought about.”
Blackledge had a difficult time hearing others with her simulated disability.
Pointing to the plugs in her ears, she said, “I have to stop myself from pulling them out.”
Recognition of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month continues with the seventh annual Bringing the Elements Together Art and Talent Show on March 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Richland Mall.
There will be artwork from Element of Art Studio/Gallery, various craft projects, two artists doing free portrait sketches, informational displays, a coloring page stations, and several performers taking the stage, including the dance troupe from Richland Newhope Industries, Inc.
