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AFGW-ACT
Inc. is a member of the Australian Federation of University Women which,
in turn is affiliated with the International Federation of University
Women (I.F.U.W.). |
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AFUW-ACT Inc. March 2011 Meeting Report Topic:Ronnie’s Snails
Ronnie was a normal baby but at 6 months of age he began to have epileptic seizures, which left him as a floppy baby who did not develop. After very little progress, the parents decided on a brain development program that came out of the United States. They worked with him 8 hours a day 7 days a week. Some of the exercises required three people so they had to run a schedule of 40-50 volunteers each giving an hour of their time during the week to help out. One man an 80 year old still takes Ronnie for a drive once a week. Unfortunately the program did nothing for the seizures and in spite of drugs, operations and implants nothing has made any difference. He has had many seizures when the ambulance has had to be called. Ronnie has taught his parents much about life about patience and perseverance and just to get on with life without complaining no matter how bad one feels. When he graduated from Black Mountain special school they were faced with the question of how to help him grow in confidence and self esteem and to ensure he is a valued and contributing member of our society. He loves animals, cars, trucks but all had to be crossed off the list because of his epilepsy. After some research his parents discovered that heliculture (the growing and breeding of snails) is a fast growing agricultural industry and supply can’t keep up with demand. Snails lay an average of 100 eggs twice a year. Apart from being a delicacy, they are used in the fishing industry, reptile and duck farmers buy them to feed their animals and the pharmaceutical industry manufactures skin products. With all this new information his parents went to the Hunter Valley to visit Snails Bon Appetite - Australia’s largest grower of snails. After viewing the Hunter Valley operation, his parents decided Ronnie could manage. He collects snails, puts them in quarantine, feeds them a special diet to get them toxin free, gives them food and water and keeps the pens clean. When the snails are healthy and meet the standards of the industry Ronnie sells them to commercial growers who market them to restaurants. Ronnie’s parents collected snails and when he had about 30 he gave them all names and was upset when one died. The number grew rapidly. The snails began to complain about their accommodation; it wasn’t very secure and they would escape into the neighbourhood so a lot of time was spent rounding up the escapees. Next, Ronnie’s uncle built the snails a 5 star luxury apartment complex with swimming pool, sauna, spa and gym. One morning in one of the boxes there were lots of little white things; by googling it they discovered they were snail eggs. The mothers died after producing so many little babies. “Ronnie’s Succulent Snails” was launched with the unveiling of Ronnie’s logo and the parents had one of the local radio personalities call a snail race. Many people in the community who are seeking a green solution and a humane way of getting rid of their snails call Ronnie to pick up the snails. Snail collecting is serving a useful purpose for a 93 year old and an old lady with dementia who now feels she has something worth doing. Two dedicated snail collectors from their church one of whom goes out at midnight to round the snails up. The collected snails go into quarantine until they weigh 8 grams and are a good creamy colour and ready for sale. “Ronnie’s Succulent Snails” organisation is establishing a good breeding stock of snails weighing more than 12 grams. Larger snails produce larger offspring and take only 6 months to grow instead of 12. It has been a great learning experience for Ronnie. It would be good if many other people with disabilities could have similar opportunities.
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