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Mississippi AgrAbility

Peer Support - Gary

  • "Delta Hook" quick hitch allows hitching and unhitching from the tractor seat. Less climbing onto and off of the tractor increases safety.

    "Delta Hook" quick hitch allows hitching and unhitching from the tractor seat. Less climbing onto and off of the tractor increases safety.

    Age: 56
  • Nature of disability: Triple amputee due to electrocution
  • Agricultural operation: Gary manages a 214 acre tree farm and operates a 55 acre hay farm. He uses tractors, mowers, clippers, tedders, rakes, balers and loaders, and hitches and unhitches the implements used in the daily operation.
"I did not have any trouble completing these tasks until January 28, 1980. This was the day of my accident. I came in contact with 7200 volts of electricity and my life was changed drastically. I was a strong, healthy 33-year old man. I became a triple amputee in a matter of months. I thank God for sparing my life, and without a doubt, I know He had a reason for this. With years of rehabilitation and prosthetic devices, I began to make my way back.

With the help of rehabilitation people, we started working on devices that would enable me to continue doing some of the things I used to do. WE added steering knobs and rings, another step on the tractors and combines, etc. These things helped a lot, but I was still having difficulty attaching equipment. It was at this time that my county agent introduced me to AgrAbility. He asked me if I would be interested in speaking to a group of people about what it is like farming with disabilities. When I asked him about the group that I would be speaking to, he replied, "AgrAbility." My response was, "Who?" This was my first time to hear of AgrAbility.

AgrAbility has helped me immensely. AgrAbility has helped me adapt some of the equipment such as a PTO shaft by replacing the ends of the shaft from slip couplers to button joints. We are in the process of getting some help on a quick attachment for a three-point hitch on the tractor and equipment.

I invented some drying tubes to dry my suction sleeves for my lower prosthesis. These are used daily. I have to use a shower in order to bathe. This is all that I need to have inside the home at the present time. The most important thing that I have found an amputee must do for himself is to be fitted with the correct prosthesis for any work intended."

Is willing to:

  • Talk with others by telephone
  • Make hospital visits within 75 miles
  • Invite someone to visit my operation to see worksite and/or home modifications
  • Make farm visits within 75 miles
  • Other: Counsel anyone