HANCOCK COUNTY POSS-ABILITIES, INC.

BY ANGIE ARLINGTON

Hancock County PossABILITIES is an organization that works to provide an interactive livestock experience for youth of all abilities. It caters to individuals aged 3-25 with emotional, physical, and/ or intellectual disabilities that have the desire to work with livestock. They accept kids and families that are willing to travel to Hancock County to participate. The program is free for anyone who wants to be a part of it.

“I started this program in our county because of my daughter, Emery,” Emily Meckel shared. “She is 5 years old and has faced unexpected challenges since birth. Emery was born with Down syndrome and was later diagnosed with schizencephaly, a cleft brain. Despite these diagnoses, she is not defined by them. Growing up on Sunshine Valley Farm in Carthage, IN, where we raise commercial and club lambs, Emery has been exposed to agricultural experiences and developed a love for working with lambs. Witnessing her passion, I had a vision to provide similar opportunities to other children who may not have the same access.”

Participants are paired up with a mentor who owns an animal and has experience in livestock husbandry and showmanship. During farm visits, participants learn animal husbandry, show techniques, and show preparation from their mentor. This allows them to have experiences similar to their peers in the agricultural industry. Each mentor/ participant team, along with the animal, then take part in a non-competitive showcase during the annual Hancock County Fair, allowing them to demonstrate what they’ve learned and accomplished.

“Although the showcase is our main event, we have other events planned throughout the year as well that are primarily livestockbased to help promote involvement for families,” Emily explained. “Our goal is to provide an experience that fosters community growth, not only among the disabled individuals but among entire families. Bringing families together with the animal is a tool to create what we like to call the “ripple effect.” What I mean by this is that all the individuals involved-mentors, participants families/ caretakers--will have a different perspective as the youths grow and become productive members of society.”

“This program has gone beyond what I could have ever envisioned and I am proud and grateful for our community and the support we have behind us,” Emily added. “My board and sponsors, both local and from across the country, have helped make this program possible, along with the youth and families involved. These families and kids are incredible and are changing the way disabilities are perceived and recognized. I have loved watching them all work together to find common ground with the livestock, but beyond that, building friendships outside of the ring.”

TESTIMONIALS:

“I just wanted to say that the PossABILITIES program created by Emily and Justin Meckel is wonderful. I was blessed to be a judge and I was blown away by the young contestants! The other thing that made me extremely proud were the mentors; these kids did a great job teaching these aspiring showmen. I think this program will do nothing but grow!”

ROB BARNHART (POSS-ABILITIES JUDGE)

“Because of this program, I now know that Kynlee just loves all livestock. It doesn’t matter what they are--pigs, sheep, horses--she just needs animals in her life and they need her. The animals just love her. Thanks for sharing your story. Sometimes that is all it takes to give some of us other moms the push we need!”

KASEY HEDGE (MOM OF KYNLEE, POSS-ABILITIES PARTICIPANT)

“The Hancock County Poss-ABILITIES program became so much more than just a program to our family. After one visit, it was like we had known each other forever. It was amazing to see how Braxton and Keaton became not just a mentor and a participant but truly best friends that worked hard together all while having fun! They taught each other so much without even realizing it, and that in itself is what this program is all about. To see all the smiles and excitement on show day was so memorable! I will forever cherish that day. Our family is beyond blessed to be a part of such a special program.”

BROOKE GREEN (MOM OF BRAXTON, A MENTOR AT POSS-ABILITIES)

“I just wanted to reach out and thank you for all that you have done for these kids. This was such a wonderful experience for our whole family. It seems that three was the magic age where people no longer treated my son like what he is-a child. A sweet, adventurous, energetic, loving child. With the program you started I never once had to worry about how he would be treated or looked at. He was surrounded by adults and children who just saw him as a child.

I know you put a TON of work in behind the scenes and I just wanted you to know that it didn’t go unnoticed. Thank you!”

CARMELLA ANDERSON (MOM OF ACETON, POSS-ABILITIES PARTICIPANT)