Disclaimer: The following was transcribed from an article in the Capper Foundation Archives published by the Topeka State Journal (now The Topeka Capital-Journal). The choice of words used at the time this was written may not reflect current Capper Foundation inclusive language and views.

He Climbed His Mountain with His Toes (1969)

Randy Kitch, 17, can’t verbally read the speeches and articles he has written with his left great toe-but he glows with pleasure as he fields questions from audiences by writing the answers on his electric typewriter.

Randy, son of Mr. and Mrs. Grover Kitch of Hutchinson, has cerebral palsy. He is a student at Capper Foundation for Crippled Children in Topeka. He has had his speeches read before several local civic groups by Frank McGrath, director of the foundation.

Randy learned to type about 9 or 10 years ago in Hutchinson and says he types about 30 words per minute. He inserts the paper himself and does all his classwork without assistance.

Because he can’t always have his typewriter with him, Randy sometimes “prints” letters on the floor in front of him with his left foot, spelling words and sentences.

Speech and English are his two favorite school subjects. He is captain of the chess team at Capper Foundation, moving the chessmen with his foot. He also is editor of the Capper Foundation student newspaper.

Randy is interested in politics and world affairs. He’s especially concerned about student uprisings and violence in the United States, and he is trying to organize his own peace movement.

Despite his severe physical limitations, Randy says there are many things he can do. Recently a teacher asked the class to make a list of things each could do.

Randy’s list contained about 40 things, and he ended it “and so on, and so on.”

Randy would like to be a writer someday. Here is one of his articles, just as he wrote it: The Future of a Handicapped Person-and the Will Power.