Eagle BELVOIR
October 11, 2018
www.belvoireagleonline.com
Science fair Page A2
Registered to vote? Elections approaching Garrison Public Affairs With elections around the corner, Belvoir’s voting officer can help everyone, no matter where they’re from, to ensure they are properly registered as a voter and know how to vote. “It’s important to vote, not just in the Presidential election, but in all elections,” said Stephan Patterson, installation voting officer. “We have the midterm that is coming up … and a lot people don’t realize that is
Fire Safety Week
just as important as the pre-election, because you’re voting for your representatives. You’re voting for the people who share your views.” He suggests voters research the candidates by taking into account what’s important for them. For example, Patterson said, as a retired veteran with 22 years of service, he wants to know candidates’ views on military benefits. Overall, he looks at past voting records of those who are Photo by Paul Lara
See Voting, page A9
See Fort Belvoir Fire Department’s video on fire safety by searching Fort Belvoir on Facebook.
Rivanna Station care provider a model in disability awareness October is National Disability Awareness Month By Adrienne Anderson Staff writer Brad Page was 17 years old when a football accident paralyzed him, just before he was expected to continue his football career at college. “In the beginning, because I was still basically a kid, getting adjusted to my situation was hard, because, for 17 years, I was used to being independent,” Page said. “Now, I had to depend on someone to help me with my daily gear. Being 17 in high Submitted photo school and a jock, now my world is Brad Page outside of Rivanna Stathrown upside down, and I have to tion Child Development Center. start all over again.” Today, at 39, Page works at ing company. Getting to this point Rivanna Station’s Child Develop- wasn’t easy, as Page said he faced ment Center and owns a truck- discrimination over the years from
those who questioned if he was able to work. “If a parent walks into the room and saw me in a wheelchair, and saw a person standing up, they would have more questions about whether I’m capable of caring for their child than a person standing up,” he said about what he was told. However, none of the parents he interacts with feel that way and don’t see him as incapable of performing his job of teaching and taking care of their children. His job duties include helping lead class and teaching necessary skills for children heading into preschool. People should take his actual abilities into account and not just his appearance, Page said. He wants people to ask him questions to help dispel any false beliefs about what he and others in his position can or cannot do. “I want them to ask me if I can do the job, whether than just assume,”
he said. “I’m going to be honest and say, ‘yes, I can.’” Page will always admit if he can’t do something, he said. Page would like more done to bring awareness to those with disabilities and a month dedicated to bringing awareness about disabilities isn’t enough, he said, “because, as the world changes, more people are going to have disabilities. “It’s more common to see disabilities in the workplace because of the Americans with Disability Act. So I think it should be yearlong,” he said. “A month will give it the recognition, but, if a lot of people are not familiar with people who have a disability or know someone who has a disability. Then, it’s like we’ll think about it for 30 days, and then we’ll sweep it under the rug.” More can also be done to make
See Disability, page A10
Save the dates! All these events are open to everyone. USO Fall Festival
Saturday, 2-5 p.m. Cupcake Bake-off, pumpkin patch, Costume photo booth The Dugger Band, food trucks usofortbelvoir@usometro.org
STEAM Family Day and PTO Book Fair Fort Belvoir Elementary Campus Oct. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Children, parents
Youth basketball tryouts Weekday evenings through Oct. 19 Players must be present at all sessions, with some exceptions 703-805-9139
College financial aid workshop and info
1-4 p.m., Oct 18, ACS Learn about completing the FAFSA form, FMI, Financial Readiness, 571-231-7001