When Erin Pitkin was a member of the competitive UMass cycling team, she always pushed herself to do her best. Little did she know that her experience in athletics would strongly influence her role as the special education coordinator at Drumlin Farm.
“I use my sports background to encourage participants who have intellectual and physical disabilities to believe they are like athletes – strong and powerful,” says Erin. Similar to an athlete’s training, Erin encourages her participants try new tasks and adapt until success is achieved.
As a child growing up in Concord, Erin learned early on what it was like to care for people with physical disabilities. Her uncle, battling multiple sclerosis, lived with her family, and it wasn’t long before she saw the need for adaptation of physical space in her own home. More importantly, she saw the social isolation that chronic illness or conditions can bring.
After college, Erin worked with AccessSportsAmerica. Wanting to develop a biking program, they tapped into Erin’s expertise as a cyclist. Following recommendations by a physical therapist, she worked on equipment and technique modifications creating individualized accessible cycling programs.
Now, as the special education coordinator at Drumlin Farm, Erin wants to expand more of the sanctuary’s programs to be accessible and inclusive. As a result of her experience with AccessSportsAmerica and groundbreaking work at the farm, she now leads the LEAF program (Leaders in Environmental Access for All) offering quality, accessible, curriculum-based programs for those with a broad range of abilities.
“Working at Drumlin Farm is such a unique opportunity for me,” says Erin. “I hope to stay and continue to expand accessible programs for years to come!”