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Andrea Whaley might have some physical limitations, but she hasn’t let it stop her from doing what many Morgan County youth are doing this week: participating in the Morgan County 4-H Fair.

While Andrea has cerebral palsy along with speech and hearing impediments, she counts this as her 10th year as a 4-H member and her mother, Becky Whaley, said the program has done wonders for her.

“Her enjoyment has been watching the competitions,” Whaley said. “It’s been a little bit more challenging in some areas, but for Andrea, it’s been a positive experience. There’s no obstacle that (4-H organizers) would not try to do and meet her needs.”

Although Andrea was not able to talk to a Reporter-Times representative, she said through her mother that her favorite part of 4-H was the friends she’s made.

“The friendships are incredible,” said Morgan County Purdue Extension educator Rena Sheldon. “It makes them feel like they’re really part of a bigger group.”

Andrea has shown cows, cats and a horse at the fair, and entered crafts that she’s made, Whaley said. It’s been a challenge getting her wheelchair into the show arena, but judges have been accommodating and sometimes would judge her animal in a corner she could access. Other than that, Whaley said, Andrea has shown her animals like any other 4-H member would, holding onto their ropes while judges look at them.

“That was just exciting for her, and it was the thrill of her life,” Whaley said. “She knows she has limits physically, but to her, she’s like everybody else.”

Andrea is a graduate of South Putnam High School and member of the Hoosier Plow Kids 4-H club. She has won reserve grand champion feeder calf, reserve champion female cat, champion hay and reserve champion hay.

When Andrea first started 4-H, Whaley said, she likely was the only child with disabilities participating in Morgan County. Now, others with disabilities have entered the program, Sheldon said.

“4-H is open to anyone as far as a member is concerned,” she said. “We hold (children with disabilities) to similar standards as the other kids. We just have to be a little more creative on how we get the final results.”

In Morgan County, 4-H members with disabilities show poultry, swine and calves, Sheldon said. Horses, cows and sheep events all have some members with autism. The state 4-H organization has determined that even those with disabilities must complete their projects the same as any other member.

The organization does make some accommodations, however, such as a paired llama showman event, where those with disabilities might work with a mentor in taking care of their llamas and showing them in the ring.

Through 4-H, children with disabilities can learn important life skills, Sheldon said.

“I think the self-confidence they get is just enormous,” she said. “It just makes them feel like they’re awfully special and stand out in the crowd.”

Whaley said it was important for children without disabilities to work alongside those with disabilities in 4-H.

“People need to be around people who are handicapped so they can see they may be physically challenged but not mentally,” she said. “They have goals; they have dreams in their life that they want to accomplish.”