Farmer Thrives Despite Paralyzing Injury

Farmer Thrives Despite Paralyzing Injury AG WORLD Ag World Some innovative equipment modifications make it possible for Ed Bell to continue farming despite the fact he has been paralyzed from the collarbone down since 1982 after being shot in a violent crime Just 21 years old at the time Bell was a hog producer With only limited use of his arms and hands he was depressed about his future
     A pivotal moment came when my dad ù a World War II and Korean vet ù scolded me and said æYou need to pull your own weight Bell recalled
    When Bell moaned that he was paralyzed his dad replied that he still needed to pull what weight you can
    Back home on the farm it was apparent that working in the hog operation would be difficult But he could get on a tractor to mow and do other chores so the Bells started modifying equipment
    Many of their ideas look like they could come right out of the pages of FARM SHOW An old corncrib - with the walls removed - serves as a ramp for his wheelchair helping him slip into the seat of his Allis-Chalmers tractor His toolbox holds oversize wrenches with cheater bars to give him extra power that his arms can t provide A mark on a tractor tire allows him to count the rotations to accurately measure and divide plots for his strawberry beds The clever hand controls he designed allow him to operate gas and brake pedals
     Once we realized I was actually contributing my brain kicked in full throttle and we started looking for jobs I could do Bell explains
    In 1987 he and his wife bought the family farm and started their current operation that includes growing and selling strawberries asparagus and Doberman puppies Bell does field work manages inventory and employees scheduling and handles marketing including creating the farm s website www eatmorestrawberries com
    Bell resisted outside help at first but eventually he contacted AgrAbility after reading a brochure his mother-in-law had picked up AgrAbility got its start in 1979 at Purdue University and now has organizations in 25 states that work with farmers and ranchers who have a wide range of disabilities
     Sometimes the male ego is the biggest disability he notes AgrAbility introduced me to other farmers like myself I was humbled and knew there was a lot to learn It really helped launch my future
    One of his favorite pieces of equipment is a lift made by Life Essentials www lifeessentialsweb com that is on one of his new tractors The homebuilt lifts he designed still work he notes but aren t as convenient now that he is older
     This new lift swings articulates two ways and goes up and down Bell says Besides getting on the tractor or equipment parked next to it he uses it to refuel his tractor and even change the floodlight on his porch
    He has also learned about many other little things that make life easier such as Cool Bandanas www coolbandanas com which contain polymers that when soaked with water help keep him cool on hot summer days He uses a machete instead of a weed eater to cut weeds He ties ropes to hitch pins so he can easily unhook equipment from the tractor seat All of his tractors have canopies and protective equipment including seatbelts and rollbars
    Learning techniques to make jobs easier is as important as modifying equipment Bell notes He always keeps a toolbox handy with everything from tools to earplugs to extra hitch pins to peppermint candy Another disabled farmer told him how to take care of his bathroom needs without assistance
     Now I travel across the country by myself You can t buy that kind of freedom Bell says
    As a consultant for AgrAbility he travels to different states to conduct farmer workshops He s available to talk to individuals as well
    He also does consulting work with The Standing Company www thestandingcompany com the only U S company that makes a manually-operated standing wheelchair The ability to be in a standing position helps resolve many health issues faced by people confined to wheelchairs Bell says
    The Bell family was named 2006 Indiana Farm Family of the Year Ed Bell is also a motivational speaker Along with his faith in a higher being he credits AgrAbility and the farmers he s met through it for his success
There is no reason to reinvent the wheel he emphasizes as both a client and spokesperson for AgrAbility Instead of being stubborn and trying to figure out everything on your own contact AgrAbility to find out what other farmers have already learned
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Ed Bell 16447 State Road 38 Hagerstown IN 47346 ph 765 489-5753; www eatmorestrawberries com

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