The Daily Chronicle from De Kalb, Illinois • Page 6

6 DAILY CHRONIQi MColb, llinoi, Thundoy, Dc. 9, 1976 Initiates projects to benefit paraplegics John Britton ivears his 'handy-cap9 with courage Britton alerts community V. Dr. John Britton joined the faculty at the Northern Illinois University this fall. As the sole member of the Physically Handicapped Department in special education at Northern Illinois University, Dr.

Britton has instituted courses in "Introduction to the Physically "Methods of Teaching the Physically and "Medical Aspects of Crippling Next semester "Vocational Programming for the Physically Handicapped" will be added. In the introductory course Dr. Britton has his students work in wheelchairs "so they can learn what it's like to live in one. The campus Is traversed by them to discover the blocks encountered by the handicapped," he said. Dr.

Britton has initiated two programs, Project ALERT and Project BRITTON, to make the public aware of the architectural barriers that limit the mobility of the handicapped. His on-going research in that area explores the medical, physical and sociological aspects of these barriers. Research for Project ALERT is being conducted in DeKalb and it surrounding counties by his students, who are researching the location of parking lots, access to building entrances, interior elevators, Interior ramps, stairs, floors and restrooms in this area. Project BRITTON (Barriers Removed in the Territory of Northern), Dr. Britton's "pet-project, is identical to Project ALERT, with the exception of its campus emphasis.

"Work is being done here to help make the campus accessible to handicapped students, because without this accessibility the handicapped cant take the courses available to other students. At the moment we are discriminating against a minority by not having facilities acceptable to handicapped students," he said. At least two of his project findings are first-hand. He has been ticketed twice for not feeding the meters next to the Fyfe 'n Drum Restaurant. Then, finding the height of some curbs in DeKalb too high (he could not reach them from his wheelchair), Dr.

Britton communicated his difficulty to the city and mentioned that in Florida the handicapped are allowed to park free in metered spaces without violation. The city promptly responded to Dr. Britton's inquiry, stating that no ordinance contains any exemptions for the handicapped but that the city is trying to ease problems for them by requiring ramps and drop-curbs. said, "The only good thing about the competition was that we defeated the Irish." Dr. Britton explained, "Sports play an integral part in the rehabilitation of the physically handi-.

capped. It's a method of continued rehabilitation. To live in a wheelchair you've got to have a certain amount of balance, because you have no feeling from the waist down. The wheelchair becomes a part of you. Paraplegics don't die from the loss of the use of their legs.

They die from the malfunctional of internal organs. I use sports to keep the circulation active and stimulate; proper function of the organs," he said. 1 Dr. Britton practices what he preaches. He can be found in the swimming pool or on the basketball court throughout the week in Graham HalL (He stresses the importance of daily exercise.) Next semester, when his schedule permits, he will play basketball with the Chicagoland Sidewinders, the leading wheelchair team In the Lake Michigan Conference.

In an attempt to establish an Olympics for the Blind Committee, Dr. Britton traveled to Kansas City a few weeks ago. He is a member of the Advisory Committee. The Olympics for the Paralyzed is being used as a model program for the proposed Olympics for the Blind. Between teaching, sports, committees and projects Dr.

Britton still finds time to speak to groups on the problems of the handicapped. He said, "I'm available to talk anywhere at anytime. "My main contention is selling the idea to employers that the disabled are fit enough to work, and they can return to their span of life rehabilitated as useful citizens if given a chance, as taxpayers not tax users, and showing their ability over their disability." By Brian (Well Staff Writer You're JS-yean-oJd and suddenly contract polio. You fight the disease and eventually return to relatively good health, with only slight residual paralysis. At age 42 your back is broken in an accident at home.

The injury leaves you paralyzed from the waist down. One year later your neck is broken in an auto accident This is not fantasy. That story, which sounds like an episode of "As the World Turns," is true. For the average man an active life and bouyant mood would be-hard to maintain after such devastating physical trauma. But, Dr.

John Britton Is not an average man. His speedy "cockney" dialogue and British flambayance letfvM one with an impreaion of exuberance and energy. As a paraplegic, Dr. Britton feels nothing from the waist down. What he feels from the waist up must be exhilerating.

Bearing witness to that assumption is his unusually full and busy life. Some of his major triumphs have been: two doctorate degree, graduation from London College of Music, 100 Olympic medals, including seven gold for the Stoke Man-deville Olympic Games for the Paralyzed, creation of a hospital in Kenya, Africa, formation of the Kenya Sports Association for the Disabled and membership on the Great Britain Olympic Gymnastics team prior to his paralysis. The courage, resilience and fight that were needed to combat such overwhelming physical and emotional obstacles have their roots in his childhood. In sharp contrast to his present life style, Dr. Britton was raised in London's east side slums.

He compared his childhood to growing up in the Bowery of New York, Many handicapped people show courage in facing the extraordinary challenges life in a wheelchair poses. By its very nature a wheelchair creates all sorts of limitations. Dr. Britton's refusal to accept those limitations is the heart of his story. His first doctorate in business management from London University was received in 1946.

He returned to school after breaking his back and received a second doctor- Dr. John Britton can be found on the Gabel Hall gymnasium a few day a week perfecting hi shooting ikills. Next semester he'll be playing with the Chicagoland Sidewinder! Basketball Team. Africa in addition to five rehabili-. tation centers throughout the country.

Having been very active in athletics all his life and seeing its benefits for the disabled, he created the Kenya Sports Association for the Disabled and served as its executive officer. It was from that association that he became manager and coach of the Kenya Paraplegic Olympic Team. As a member of the Kenya Team Dr. Britton set a world record in the 25 meter free style swim. The record has yet to be broken.

Prior to his paralysis he was a member of Great Britain's 1948 Olympic Gymnastics team. Unfor- tunately, England finished 36 out of 37 in that competition. Jokingly, he ate in rehabilitation medicine from Uganda University, Africa, in 1967. "I could see there weren't enough physically handicapped persons who were willing to convey the facts and impressions of the physically handicapped. So I decided to do it myself," he said.

London College of Music presented him with two diplomas in 1939. One, for his expertise on the piano and the other for his grasp of the theory of music. In 1972, after his rehabilitation, the British Government sent Dr. Britton to Kenya to discuss the possibility of creating treatment centers for people with spinal injuries. While there, he opened the first spinal injuries hospital in black 3f vf I The Daily Chronicle prints more DeKalb County news each week than any other news medium.

I Inwu'HiMjir 'II It's this award winning form that secured Dr. Britton a world record, which still stands, for the 25 meter free style in the Stoke Mandeville Olympic Games for the Paralyned. Keeping posted jjjHj i il I I. I I I I i i rr 11 YOUR USE SEWING MACHINE IS WORTH after Jan. 2, 1959, are judged on scholastic achievement leadership; poise personality; and beauty.

Interested persons may write Mrs, Martha A. Smith, 1902 Syrcle Drive, Danville, 61832. A second chance is available to young ladies between 14 and 18 as of Dec. 31, wishing to enter the Illinois United Teenager Pageant to be held at the Sheraton Chicago Inn, June 10-12. It is the official state preliminary to the Miss United Teenager Pageant scheduled in Washington D.

C. in December, 1977. Contestants will foe judged on scholastic and civic achievements, beauty, poise and personality. Young ladies interested may contact Vernette R. Wendorf, 2678 Club Forest Drive, Conyers, 30207, 404483-6937.

IN TRADE UP TO TOMORROW'S LEADERS Information is 'ready for high school seniors seeking to apply for benefits from the $110,000 college scholarship program sponsored by General Milts. Judging centers on performance in a written examination. Further information is available from local high schools. DOUBLE OPPORTUNITY Two contests for aspiring, teen-age "beauty queens" have been announced. Applications are now being accepted from young ladies interested in the sixth annual Illinois National Teen-Ager Pageant to be held in Decatur, April 1-3.

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