I know homesteading can mean plenty of hard work. I am a homesteader wannabe. Problem is, with a back problem and other complications I can not get around very well. What is the possibility I can still be a homesteader? Are there any less abled or disabled homesteaders? Had a dream the other night. In the dream a voice told me that one goat and one chicken can sustain one person. I woke up laughing.

-- Brian Lynch (missing@citilink.com), December 05, 1999

Answers

Well, I'm not a fullblown homesteader [yet]. I'm visually impaired to the point I can't drive. Deaf and diabetic [31 years past July]. I don't let it stop me from doing whatever I want...hunt, fish, trap, jerky and can...work on things....just have to learn to pace yourself. Yeah...I know that a bad back is a bit different...but you can do it...just don't give up.

-- Satanta (satanta@zdnetmail.com), December 05, 1999.

Brian, My husband and I are not fully self-sufficient but we are working towards that goal. We are planning now and saving so that he can retire early in about 3 years and we plan to support ourselves on our homestead. I too have back problems and had to quit work 2 years ago because of it. I am permanently disabled and while I have limitations, if I pace myself I can still do a lot. I grow a garden, have chickens and can everything I can. The secret is in pacing yourself. I do have to rest several times a day and realize my limitations but I just can't give in to them! I just have to leave the heavy lifting to someone else (husband). I think the major hurdle is our desire and unwillingness to give in to our handicap. I always try to remember there are a lot of people worse off and I am thankful to God I am able to do what I can! BArbara

-- barbara (barbaraj@mis.net), December 06, 1999.

Hello Brian,my husband also has severe back problems to the point that he is now a "homestead husband".He pretty much has figured out how to get anything done around here by,taking his time,thinking about projects with his limitations in mind:if building a pen- putting the latches higher,raised garden beds,even the chicken coop is a couple of feet off the ground.He hauls just about everything in a cart behind our riding mower instead of carrying.We've been talking about getting a dairy cow and now he's working on the plans for a raised milking platform.He's learned that with a bad back that means no bending!

-- Barbara-KY (conlane@prodigy.net), December 06, 1999.

I to have problems with my back [scholioses] off and on, I have found that the back braces that you buy over counter help [there called rib belts] they suport the muscles and keep them warm so it is easyer and more comfortable to work, thay along with piroxicam [muscle relaxer] have helped me to go back to stall cleaning 3 days a week. I grow fruit trees and they are dwarf less pruning and easyer picking. Its hard to do less but if you take it slow you can still do most things just takes longer, yoga to keep back stretched can help as can glucosamine and chondroitin most importiant thing is chin up and dont get discouraged.

-- kathy h (saddlebronc@msn.com), December 06, 1999.

As a nurse who specializes in dealing with older people in rural Alberta, I'm constantly impressed with the adaptations they come up with for getting the jobs done! They are very creative and usually use just what's on hand - try to connect with these people. If you don't know any check with a rural senior citizen's organization or ask around a rural church. Good luck!

-- cheri k (ltcrn@telusplanet.net), December 11, 1999.

I have cystic fibrosis and am waiting for a lung transplant. So, you can imagine I find it difficult to homestead. I am just now learning to easy up on myself and realize I can only do so much. I must realize everything I do is an accomplishment, and It's ok if I can not be the perfect homesteader right now. Feel free to e-mail me if you ever want to talk about your homesteading accomplishments or anything.

-- Tina KC-Motluck (peeper1965@aol.com), January 23, 2000.

Hi, I was just going to write in a question on how to get anything done with a back problem, when I came across this question. 13 years ago when I was pregnant with my twins I develped a stress fracture of my 5th lumbar vertabrae, it's given me problems on and off but never kept me from doing what I wanted. Two weeks ago I fell and reinjured it. It's been kind of depressing not being able to even lift a pail of water. I do what I'm reading a lot of others seem to:plan more, go at my own pace, and ASK FOR HELP, what a concept: we seem to be such an independent lot that asking for help hardly even crosses our minds. One of my most upsetting days was going outside shortly after injuring myself and seeing two hen pecked chickens that I couldn't get out of the pen because of my back, half of my cabbage patch eaten by squirrels that I could't cover up with netting because of my back, and not being able to break up a dogfight between my dogs- I felt like such a wimp!!! I am SLOWLY figuring out ways to get things done, and what I can't do I TRY to swallow my pride and get help. I'm really glad I found this question and will look foreward to reading other's ideas. Chris

-- Christine Allen (cfallen00@hotmail.com), January 26, 2000.