SUMMER N KB 11 ASK AN
July 8, 1982
Courageous Lincoln woman turns tragec
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Elaine Skucius lifts weights, as she works out at her
weekday physical therapy sessions. The weights
build upper body strength.
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Burdie Thrapp stands by as Elaine pulls herself up
on hands and knees to improve her trunk control
and balance.
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Elaine uses tongs to grasp objec
1)00.22, 1979, began as a beautiful winter day. Somethmu
was quite different about it : little snow was on the ground, bu!
some ice had formed on streets and highways. On this day the
life of Klaine Skucius was changed drastically.
She was driving to her family's farm for a Christmas holi
day when her car hit a patch of ice,, causing an accident tliai
left her immobile and temporarily paralyzed from her wins!
down. Once very active, this career woman became oonlmnl
to a wheelchair. Her friends, however, describe her as drier
mined, courageous, and one who never gave up.
Klaine confides that her determination has waivered ai
times. A positive influence in her life is her therapist, Burdir
'Thrapp, who has become a close friend. Burdie meets ih
Klaine five days a week for therapy sessions, but the relation
ship doesn't stop there. Klaine and Burdie, with another thera
pisl and a wheelchair friend, call themselves the "Fantastic
Four." Kach owns a t-shirt which proclaims the name. They go
to breakfast and movies together, and last fall traveled to
Kansas City, Mo.
That was an accomplishment for Klaine. Since her accident
she has slept in hospital beds, even at her own home. One of
the most frustrating parts of the trip to Kansas City was the
search for places with wheelchair ramps.
Nevertheless, the Fantastic Four enjoyed the three da
weekend of shopping, sightseeing and dining.
Klaine also spent a week at her sister's home in Albu
querque, N.M., last month. Although her mother and a niece
were along to help, this was a challenge as it involved
traveling by plane. Klaine's costly wheelchair was nearly lost
at one of the airports. The "thief" was a little old lady who was
tired of walking and assumed that the wheelchair was one of
the airport's services.
Between trips, Klaine keeps busy with her volunteer work
with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Kxtension Service.
One of Klaine's major interests is the League of Human
Dignity, for which she is a member of the advisory board. This
organization uses special funds to develop independent living
centers among other services for the handicapped. The league
offers a publication that lists businesses and areas which are
accessible to the handicapped.
"In many respects, I think that Lincoln is ahead of many
areas in services for the handicapped," she says. "I third-; the
Handivan bus service in Lincoln is superior," says Klaine. This
Klaine lives in her own home, a Lake Park condominium.
Her apartment is on the ground level and a concrete ramp
leads from her front door to the street. She has redesigned the
interior so that she can perform her activities from the wheel
chair. Several doors were widened, and her desk, sink and
stove top were built to accommodate her wheelchair.
Although her niece, Myrna, lives with her, Elaine is an inde
pendent person. Her determination is the key to her progress
Those who know Elaine agree that she has accomplished
much since that tragic day in 1979.
Photos and Story by Kathy Graff
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Physical therapist Burdie Thrapp helps Elaine with
an exercise, using a powder board.
