Cattle farmer, poultry breeder and husband with C6-C7 quadriplegia.
I was raised in the city but was always mad about animals and birds. I started farming in my early 20s, and milked cows for 25 years before my accident.
Getting back to farming gave me a life again. Gil and I run beef cattle and sheep, and I breed poultry: chooks, pheasants, partridges, ducks, guinea fowl and pigeons.
Farmers are doers rather than talkers. I’ve had to learn to be a talker, to explain what to do without demonstrating. Passing knowledge on to others can be very rewarding. I get into the cattle yards and do my bit. Feeling useful is important to anyone.
I get around the farmyard in my four-wheel-drive chair. I’ve attached lights for spotlighting, and a car horn that gives a blast! I’ve had tendon transfer operations, so I can open most gates now without assistance. And ‘AgrAbility’ gave us great ideas about modified farming equipment.
You mustn’t be timid in your chair – that won’t get you anywhere. You’ve got to get out and have a go. Gil’s support is great and we’ve had some good laughs. After all, we’re here for a good time, not a long time!
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