Iam a 52 year old woman using crutches due to pain and limited mobility after multiple artificial hip replacement surgeries. Wonder if there are others with physical limitations who share the values and simpler lifestyle of Countryside--I'd like to get acquainted, share ideas, helpful hints, and support. I do some gardening in raised beds (with 3 ft. high wood frames) save seeds,make our own yogurt and do some canning, and make lots of our food from scratch. Would really like to have a few chickens and perhaps some rabbits, but have limited energy and ability to carry or do anything "heavy." I look forward to hearing from you! Thanks.

-- Marilee Thome (hotjmmt@ados.com), November 11, 1999

Answers

Hi Marilee: i applaud your derermination. Did you see the article in this issue of CS about raising rabbits in a shed or garage? Perhaps it could be adapted to fit your needs. Good luck

-- Marci (ajourend@libby.org), November 12, 1999.

Hi Marilee, I have for the last few months been wondering how many other "countrysiders" have disabilties and how they manage. I'm not in as bad a shape as you but have to deal with pain and limited mobility also. Fortunately I have a wonderful husband who is a real help. I have learned to tackle jobs in smaller steps and lighter loads. For instance I carry water to my goats in smaller buckets. It takes more trips but at least I can get the job done. I have a LOT of animals and it makes me get up and get moving every day, otherwise I'm afraid I might sit around and deteriorate. Would like to hear from anyone with a homesteaders mentality and physical limitations. Lenette

-- Lenette Stroebel (kigervixen@webtv.net), November 12, 1999.

Hello Marilee,

-- Barbara (conlane@prodigy.net), November 18, 1999.

Whoops,messed my first post up!Anyway,my husband and I live on a farm.Right now we have ducks,chickens,pigs,a very large garden,two dogs and a cat.I work outside the home while he stays home and takes care of things around here.He has two inoperable blown discs in his back with extensive nerve damage.One of the best things we did was get a cart to pull behind our riding mower.That's what he hauls all the feed in for the animals,firewood,garden produce,basically all kinds of stuff.This really saves wear and tear on his back.We have great neighbors and everybody really helps each other out.We also have raised beds in our garden but knee pads and kneeling pads are still a must!We use ergonomical garden tools so he doesn't have to bend over.My husband has learned (finally!) to break things down into smaller tasks instead of one huge job.I have a stepson that comes over every other weekend (he's a city kid)so we let him tackle alot of the harder jobs(he loves it),chopping firewood,woodworking projects,etc.Oh,two other,no make that three other things are a "must" for my husband-long hot baths,a heating pad and lots of back massages!Let's keep talking!

-- Barbara (conlane@prodigy.net), November 20, 1999.

Hey! I am 52 male with congestive heart failure and diabetes on a full pension from the vetrans adm., soon to mave back to florida where I am going to raise earthworms and cut flowers. I had a lot of pain in my knees, enought to use a cane; but there is a cure. A simple cheap one; it is to take orally the product known as "Knox Gelitan" found in any grocery store near the jello. About 1.00 per package, its organic and won't mess up your stomac. I take about 1/2 of a sewing thimble twice a week. It is cologen, scraped from the insideof beef and pork hides. It helps the body make cartlage which is the padding betueen the bones, try it , it might help...

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), March 29, 2001.

Hi Marilee! I posted a similar letter a few months ago, but I can't find it. Duh! I bet other would know where it it. And...wasn't there another one after mine? I am a 58 year old polio survivor and you can bet I know about the frustrations of limited mobility! I garden using a Scoot'n Do, which is a low platform with large wide wheels which I sit on and scoot! I also use a tripod stool on wheels to do some chores in the kitchen. I'd love to own some chickens and perhaps a few goats,but it is unrealistic for me right now. All I know is that since the age of 4,my motto has been "Where there is a will, there is a way!"

-- Ardie from WI (a6203@hotmail.com), April 01, 2001.

Marilee, I'm an occupational therapist working in home care in our rural community. I help people problem solve ways to carry out their valued occupations (activities). Many of my patients are country folk with disabilities--people that enjoy horses, goats, chickens, gardening, and hunting. I will tell you that people can do it! And, You won't be on crutches forever--particularly if you are receiving physical therapy. It is easy to adapt gardening tasks--do it sitting on a chair with raised beds. If you have ice and snow in the winter, and your mobility is never quite stable again, you may need some help with tending to animals. Icy walkways are a falls hazard. But if you have some help , you should manage. As for low energy, learn to pace yourself--sit while you do things. Get a good, stable stool for the kitchen, keep items within easy reach. Good luck! Amy

-- amy (acook@in4web.com), April 01, 2001.