An afternoon of picking apples picked up my spirits

Déjà Vu : This column was originally published in the Journal-News, a newspaper distributed in Rockland County, New York, October 22, 1990 . I'm re-publishing this column as part of my online blog because apple picking season is upon us. I still believe the message is appropriate today and is an example of the activities many of us with disabilities can enjoy in the United States, and perhaps around the world. Photos were added to this posting from my collection or the web, as noted. Some of the organizations and programs mentioned here may have changed or no longer exist in New York State as of this writing. I hope you find this column helpful and informative. I have found another thing I can do from a wheelchair: pick up apples. As a boy from the Bronx, I didn't think I'd enjoy it. Boy, was I wrong! I had so much fun. I can't wait to take the family out again next year. We didn't plan it, we just did it on a whim. We had driven to Chester, N.Y. t