Candidate emphasizes exercise learning

Barefoot and petite in jeans and a black crewneck sweater, Penny Githens stands firmly on the YMCA's polished wood floor holding a practice pad for her 8-year old student. \n"You can't do karate in jeans," another elementary-aged student calls across the floor, her frame dwarfed by the white karate uniform secured by the yellow belt tightly knotted around her waist.\n"Mine are stretch, so it's OK," Githens says, lowering her karate stance. "I had a radio interview that left me with 10 minutes to get out here, so I figured they'd have to work."\nGithens founded the Adapted Martial Arts class in 2001. In the three years since, Githens has been a regular volunteer and participant in the class, which provides karate instruction for disabled children.\nNathan, the eldest of her two sons, is autistic. His and his 12-year-old brother Nick's experiences in the Monroe County Community School Corporation have kept Githens involved in their schools. Inspired by her work as MCCSC volunteer and advocate for special needs children, Githens is running against Jim Muehling for the District 4 spot on the MCCSC School Board. She has been a district volunteer for the past nine years.\n"I did initially get involved because of my son, (Nathan)," she said. "We need to be offered some different things for special needs children."\nGithens has proved this is an area in which she can be effective. When the Bloomington Hospital cut funding to the martial arts class in which Nathan was enrolled six years ago, Githens approached Shelley Sallee, YMCA family director, about beginning a similar class. Steve Scott, owner of Monroe County Martial Arts, taught Nathan's class at the Bloomington Hospital and serves as head instructor for the YMCA Adapted Martial Arts Class. \n"Shelley and I got the class going, and Penny has been one of the biggest supporters of the program ever since. She's really worked on drawing the parents together and is a steady volunteer," Scott said. "Penny's a great asset because she's argued for disability rights at the state level. She's very big in the autism community and a wonderful woman." \nA focal point of Githens' campaign is youth health. Indiana has the second highest rate of obese/overweight youth in the nation, and Type II diabetes is increasingly common, especially in minority youth, according to the American Public Health Association. Githens' goal is to promote healthier students through increased opportunities for exercise, improved nutrition and expanded substance abuse programs. Concerned with the lack of physical activity in MCCSC schools, Githens reports the most extreme case is the district school with one six-week rotation of gym class per year. She thinks there is a direct relationship between an increase in daily activity and more effective learning.\n"I'd like to go to each school and find out what is good about each one, collect the information and take that back to the board," she said. "We need to build on our strengths."\nAnother issue on Githens' MCCSC agenda is the cost of textbooks. Indiana is one of the last 10 states imposing a textbook rental fee on students' families. While the Indiana State Supreme Court is currently reviewing the tax, Githens is prepared to work with the Indiana School Board Association to push for legislation.\n"Approximately six years ago, MCCSC, with tremendous support from the Teachers Union, led a state-wide effort to provide free school books. Maybe it is time to revisit this area," Githens said on her Web site. "If so, I would be happy to lend my time, energy and experience to such an effort."\nWhen Nathan was initially diagnosed with autism, it became apparent his treatment wasn't covered by the health insurance IU provided Githens' husband, Economics Professor Ed Buffie, and his family. In 1998, Githens went to the Indiana Autism Commission to lobby for insurance coverage. \nShe found there was a state clause that allowed insurance companies to exclude coverage for autism treatment. When a bill to eradicate this was written but not passed, Githens returned to the cause in 2000, along with more than 300 fellow supporters. As a result of a second bill, one-fourth of autistic people in Indiana under state insurance have treatment coverage. \n"Penny is intense -- very intense. It's an intensity that is attractive, though," Scott said. "When she's talking to you, you'll note that she gives all of herself to you. I've rarely seen that very admirable quality. That intensity applies to her advocacy for children. She fights like hell for them." \n-- Contact staff writer Molly Erman at merman@indiana.edu.