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EIGHTH-GRADER Christa Hasselbach, 13, in wheelchair, and seventh-grader Paige Wiechman, 13, blindfolded, make their way to class Wednesday at Fremont Middle School during Disability Awareness Day, an Easter Seals of Northwestern Ohio-sponsored event.
In an effort to gain a better understanding of those living with disabilities, a dozen students, all members of the school's student council, agreed to participate in Disability Awareness Day, an Easter Seals of Northwestern Ohio-sponsored event. The students said they wanted to know how it felt to have a disability.
"I told them to think about the things they can do," said Patti Lee, development specialist for Easter Seals of Northwestern Ohio. "They might have to do it differently but (they) will still be able to do it."
Despite maneuvering with the assistance of a walker, Tre Rollins, a seventh-grader, was heading toward exhaustion by the end of the day.
"It's tiring," the 12-year-old said, as he walked slowly, trying to put all the weight on the left leg. He was pretending his right leg bones were not well developed, and his arms got an unexpected workout.
Christa Hasselbach's disability didn't slow her down much. The eighth-grader spent much of the day spinning in a wheelchair. Unfortunately, rolling herself around all day left a couple of blisters on her hands.
The students got help, but did as much as they could by themselves.
"I've been late to all my classes, but I didn't get in trouble," Tre said.
Paige, 13, occasionally wandered into a few lockers. Fortunately, the red-tipped walking stick she used helped her avoid most collisions.
"I actually did walk into a wall because I forgot where I was going," she said, moving her head in the direction of the conversations around her.
She was, however, comfortable enough with her disability to take the stairs. Tre and Christa, 13, used the elevator.
The experiment began at 7 a.m. when Lee met them and nine other students at the school and outfitted them with their disabilities. They had some trouble getting around, but went to the same classes.
"People treat you very different," Christa said. "Some people are nice about it and some people are different about it."
Paige and Tre chimed in, agreeing they too had been called names like cripple and had people laugh and stare at them.
But as Lee reminded them, some people with disabilities are just ignored.
This trio is familiar with disabilities. Tre's brother is deaf and he's been learning sign language for the last two years.
"I treat my brother like he can hear me," Tre said.
Both Christa and Paige said they've been around deaf people and seen others with disabilities.
"Before I felt bad if I was looking at them," she said. "I felt they might think that I was being rude. Now I would try to approach them and look at them, not staring."
Tre said the experience taught him a new level of appreciation.
"I got a good understanding that I'm blessed with what I've got," he said, leaning to the left, trying not to put weight on his right foot.
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CHRISTA | 
