Courage North Alum Helps Establish a Disability Awareness Honor House at St. Olaf

A little over a year ago, Matthew Nesheim, a student at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. and a former Courage North summer camp counselor, approached Courage Center with an idea. He wanted to create an honor house on the St. Olaf College campus dedicated to disability awareness. Kurt Wiger, Courage Center coordinator of volunteers and interns, worked with Matt and seven other St. Olaf students to structure their mission and apply for the honor house. Their request was granted and the first SODA house was created for the 2008-2009 school year. Each month SODA has a focus on a different disability and works to educate the students and faculty. In November the focus was on disabilities due to trauma. Kurt Wiger and Shawn Dean presented to the student body on Nov. 18. On Nov. 21, the film “Murderball” was presented as part of their film festival and two Courage Center rugby team members traveled to Northfield to discuss the sport in greater detail. Here’s an article from the St. Olaf Manitou Messenger on the experience of the eight SODA members during their Chair Aware Day this past Nov. 20. http://media.www.manitoumessenger.com/media/storage/paper1350/news/2008/12/05/News/Inaccessibility.Exposes.Weaknesses-3572590.shtml