From

Location

Message

Date Posted

[email protected]

Another grower & I were recently involved in an interesting conversation. We seem to think there might be quite a few growers who are for one reason or another, challenged by some form of physical disability.

For those who wish to keep it private, send emails.

Steve

3/1/2005 10:26:24 PM

San Diego

I have never made this public on bp.com, but I have had chronic fatigue syndrome for the last 5 years. I was so ill 5 years ago I could not get off of the couch or the bed without extreme effort, even standing I had a heart rate of 110 beats per minute and was housebound completely for 2 and a half years. I was only 26 at this time. The list of symptoms is way to long to list here. A long story short, My sickness is what got me growing pumpkins. My first year growing, some days I was too weak to even go out and water my plant for 5 minutes. I am still growing, and am still on disability, and still have cfs, but am driving now and am slowly improving. I know God is in the process of giving me my health back to 100% (long story), but I have definitely known hardship and pain for a long time. I still have some challenges in the patch with tilling and prep work that require hard labor, my good pumpkin friend Vince helps me. Anyway, I'm sure there are others out there too. God Bless, Jimmy

3/1/2005 10:53:51 PM

North Ga

I've been brain dead for over 30 yrs!! Does that count? LOL

3/2/2005 7:15:49 AM

Ohio

Jim, its great your improving,I hope you hit that 100%,and Steve,props to you man!

Brooks

3/2/2005 7:22:02 AM

Dillsburg, PA

This isn't exactly on topic but I teach students with severe disablilities. I have a few of them helping me out in my patch. These are students who have an IQ of <70. They love doing the dirty work with me. Hulling manure and spreading is what they seem to like best. Some of these guys are growing their own pumpkins now. They all seem to like Halloween and pumpkins.

3/2/2005 8:31:23 AM

new middletown ohio

pap ain't NEVER...... going to improve
raggu

3/2/2005 9:55:13 AM

Montoursville, PA

I was born with a major non-curable handicap. I'm Dutch/German. I may go down with a hoe in my hand but I will go down happy.

3/2/2005 11:12:47 AM

[email protected]

I was thinking more along the lines of Jimmy's issue, or Muscular Distrophy, Lou Gherigs, Rheumatoid Arthritis, MS, & other physical challenges that make gardening a much greater challenge than it might otherwise be.

As a for instance, I have both MS & a partially herniated disc. So I have modified tools & adopted the use of wider than average boards to walk on so I don't accidentally step on a vine.

A long "Fiskar" brand pole pruner makes tendril pruning possible in places my off-balance gait shoouldn't go.

Pruning every other secondary is part of the plan this year too.

The idea wasn't to poke fun at our age challenged grey matter & ethnicity (however funny) & perhaps share ways we can make difficult tasks easier so as to insure the rewards of gardening with everyone.

Now what other constructive ideas can we share with thoise who might benefit but aren't willing to post their challenges themselves. There are a LOT of lurkers who read but are never willing to post advice or ask questions.

The goal of this thread is to help get the handicapped & aged gardeners talking. Let's not make it any harder than it already is.

3/2/2005 4:00:29 PM

Jericho Vermont

Steve. I was in an hunting accident where I seperated both of my hips from my spine and decided to take up pumpkin growing due to my inability to participate in so many sports that I have competed in prior to my accident. I am up and walking with just a few tweaks here and there and use many aids to help make gardening chores easier. I am totally normal in appearance (sort of lol) but can not be on my feet for long periods of time and can not bend real well to weed. I have found the "sport" of pumpkin growing to be fun and rewarding and one that does not require the physical needs that my other past hobbies did.This site has been very beneficial in giving me the knowledge and tools to growing AG's and I have gotten my two boys involved as well.

3/2/2005 6:04:12 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Steve, I was injured at work in 97. My back was messed up pretty good. They put in some steel rods and some nuts & bolts to hold me all together. I walk with a cane now and don't work. It sucks not being able to enjoy some of my former hobbies and activities. It hurts to do some of the work, but I have a great wife that loves the sport as well. Without her, I would not be able to grow on a competitive level......Phil

3/2/2005 8:11:11 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

steve i also have a disability which only a few of my true friends know the extent of but for the help of this post ill share and first of i want to say my health and life is in gods hands so i am ready for my future and fait a little over a year and a half ago i was diagnosed with lou gehrigs disease i was told that within 6 months i wouldnt be walking or talking etc and probably wouldnt be around much longer than that,but with gods help and the help spiritually of my friends i am still hear and enjoying are great sport,my wife and kids are my garden helpers and im blessed with many friends here on bp.com so guys and girls when i say god bless ya i truelly beleive he can and will,thanks all god bless ya keith barrett burrhead

3/2/2005 9:11:46 PM

Rhode Island

speaking from my heart i can tell you that everyone needs an outlet from lifes day to day struggles,and it does not matter wheather those struggles are physical, emotional , family related, or just plain old lifes day to day struggles
( they can all be disabling if you let them )

without a hobby to look forward to those dark days seem even darker
with one you can, even if only moments at a time, escape into a time and place where all problems are removed

i dont care if i had to drag myself out into the patch i would do it
if you allow it to this hobby can be as beneficail to you as any doctor or clinic

thanks for bringing this topic up steve

pap

3/3/2005 4:43:35 AM

Waquoit Mass

I am a retired corrections officer with disabled knees from falling on the cement floors in the prison.Working inside was also difficult for me as i had always been out side. Being in the patch keeps my knees loose and being outside has its own teraputic qualities. As for my mental state well enuff said lol dave hampton

3/3/2005 11:17:27 AM

Knopp, Germany

some disabilities can not be seen with the naked eye. i am also disabled, and a DAV. i hate how, and why these things happen, and do not want to make this a political issue, but i do know that the garden, and growing AGs have helped me accept things as they are. grow till you can not grow anymore, i believe you will have done a good thing.

3/3/2005 1:07:44 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

Hi!, I'm Mike, and I'm an alcoholic!

3/3/2005 1:21:32 PM

Tremor, Man I never thought that we would get such a # of growers that have disabilities and are willing to talk with others. I have MS and I started out yrs ago hunting, fishing, Gardening in the front yard, and Finally discovered Pumpkins. As I said once before at certain times it helps to talk with others whether they have been in your shoes or not. All you guys hang in there and stay busy even if its growing 1500lb pumpkins. Good Luck!

3/3/2005 7:54:38 PM

South Hill, Virginia

Steve,

As you already know I have coronary artery disease and diabetes. This will be my first season growing since this diagnosis and I don't expect to do what I could before.

Hopefully this will improve by the 2006 season. I definitely will appreciate being able to get out there much more than in the past.

3/3/2005 9:37:53 PM

[email protected]

Thank YOU TobyY for getting me to make this thread. It needed to be done. There are still others.

I didn't know about the Diabetes Brent....It is unforunate that I have to welcome you to this exclusive club. But it is VERY fortunate you are here to be welcomed!

Let's remember...what doesn't kill us makes us stronger & smarter.

Once you've survived being hit by the train, those out of control trucks & buses hardly phase you any more. LOL...You'll still see them....but you'll react with greater purpose & focus. Plus we're more likely to stay off the tracks.

Fear is a sense that makes us more capable. Courage makes results out of fear.

3/4/2005 7:42:14 AM

Litchfield N. H. 03052

Three years ago I was diagnosised with Lupus. Had to retire from farming for over 50 years. I went pretty low, but now feel better than I have felt in a long time. Growing pumpkins is great for the body and soul. To be out there in the earily morning hours and seeing the world come to life can't be put into words. Also this hobby has given me a new great bunch of friends.
Bill

3/4/2005 7:53:49 PM