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Choice, change, chance and challenge

ro bowler Ken Reid talks about his efforts in regaining the ability to participate in the sport of bowling and to work for the Utah Center for Assistive Technology at a luncheon held in conjunction with Disabilities Awareness Month. The annual awards luncheon was held Oct. 20.
Award winning team from the Airman and Family Readiness Center is congratulated by Ogden Air Logistics Center Executive Director Michael Gill on Oct. 20. From left to right they are: Hill School Liaison Officer Judith Maughan, Exceptional Family Military Family Program - Family Support Coordinator Tammy Custer, Airman and Family Readiness Center Acting Director Nancy Adams-Leonard and Eddie Mahunin and Debbie Roach, both with the Family Support 360 Project.
By Krista Starker
Hilltop Times Correspondent
October 27, 2011

The annual Disabilities Luncheon was held Thursday, Oct. 20, at Club Hill with the theme: "Ability is What Matters."

Several individuals were given the Persons with Disabilities Support Award. Those receiving the honor and related honors included:

  • Dwight Engle, for his support and helping to make accommodations.
  • Roy Miller and Darrell Freeman for going out of their way to help a co-worker learn his job and providing travel to and from work.
  • Aaron Clark for going above and beyond to help accommodate an employee by setting up a telework program and driving out to the employee's house to coordinate the effort.
  • The recipient of the Outstanding Employee with Disabilities Award was Lisa Ann Dittman, for accomplishing all challenges effectively and professionally.
  • The Airman and Family Readiness Center also received the Organization Award for its continued efforts to assist families with special needs through the Exceptional Family Member Program, School Liaison Program and the Family Support 360 Project.

After the awards, pro bowler Ken Reid gave a presentation about his struggle with learning how to cope with life and his love of bowling after a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down.

Doctors told Reid he would never be able to use his right arm, which he was able to accomplish and he¬­ decided he would try to bowl again.

As a pro bowler, his average score was a 234. When he tried to bowl the first time after the accident he received a score of 10. But with practice and modifying the weight of his bowling ball, Reid has been able to obtain a current average of 132, with his current highest game being 195.

"I'm still trying to get a 200 game. I am hoping in two years to bowl 200 games consistently," said Reid.

Reid also hasn't let his disability keep him from working and helping others. He currently works for Utah Center for Assistive Technology (UCAT), making recommendations for the purchase of wheelchairs for people, helping them to get back to work.

"If you take anything from this talk, remember the Four C's," said Reid. "Choice, choose your lane and determine your path. Change, have the courage to make a change. Chance, be willing to take a chance and try something new. Challenge, challenge yourself to bigger and better things till you succeed."

Closing remarks of the luncheon were given by Jean Thomas of the Persons with Disabilities Committee. She stressed the importance of giving those with disabilities opportunities to succeed.

"We have around 1,200 people with disabilities working here at Hill." said Thomas. "When we give them opportunities, they are able to nurture families."
accident, Persons with Disabilities, pro bowler, UCAT