Harley Draven

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For the past four years Harley Draven has been working with the US Army Corps of Engineers local water safety program The program takes the message of water safety through presentations to elementary and high school students as well as the county fair and campground campfire programs Ms Draven joined the program as a volunteer shortly after a diving accident that left her a quadriplegic at the age of 18 She decided to join the program to help others avoid dangerous accidents like the one she suffered Ms Draven goes out to speak to students annually during the three months in which the water safety program is in session Last year forty-three presentations were given In addition Ms Draven also gave several presentations on her own without assistance from the Army Corps Each year she also speaks at the annual week-long safety fair and gives presentations at various rehabilitation programs throughout the Common Cove area According to Phillip S Deffenbaugh Park Manager for the US Corps of Engineers When Harley gets up there to speak the whole program changes It brings reality home Since Ms Draven joined the program Mr Deffenbaugh has noticed a drop in water safety accidents in the Peila and Kings County area Mr Deffenbagh could not say if Ms Draven s efforts were the sole reason for the drop but he is sure that she has made an impact on the students They don t ever think that anything could happen to them but after they talk with Harley they realize that it can Ms Draven does not receive any compensation for her work She receives financial assistance from her parents and the government for her disability Learn how you can contribute to the Enabled Disabled Project please visit https www enableddisabled com contribute nbsp — Send in a voice message https anchor fm enableddisabled messageClick here to visit this podcast episode