Resource Fair helps people with disabilities lead independent lives

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – As Matthew Ring and his family were enjoying a beautiful day at Fairpark, he was also getting information for services available for his son.

Asher is autistic, but his family and friends treat him like any other five-year-old.

“Being able to come to one area, especially with an autistic child, they are very schedule oriented and as long as he is in the schedule and knows what his schedule is he’s pretty content and helps us to be able to find out what’s available in Tupelo and surrounding areas,” said Ring.

Asher is a student at ECEC and a regular visitor to Our Artworks, where people with a variety of disabilities can take hands-on art lessons from Bradley Gillespie, who also motivates and inspires his students.

“I lead a productive life, I make benches, build swings, I use all kind of woodworking tools, I also paint,” said Gillespie.

No matter a person’s disability, organizers of the resource fair want them to know they can have a normal life, without limitations.

“They can get out in the community and do everything you and I do, we provide services for fishing, sporting events just about anything that an able bodied person can do is provided for a person who is disabled,” said Wayne Lauderdale, with LIFE of Mississippi.

For vendors, the resource fair was an opportunity to let people who can benefit most, know about their services.

“We provide skilled nursing, physical and occupational therapy , speech therapy, in homes,” said Kim Mask of Kindred at Home.

“We loan out wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, iPads, magnifying devices,” said Kristy Cook of Project START.

This was the fifth year for the resource fair. That fair was organized by LIFE of Mississippi and Our Artworks