Why is it that when it comes to ourselves, we just can't bring ourselves to ask for help?
Is it embarrassment? Shame? Pride standing in the way? Dishonor? A sign of weakness? But when help shows up on the doorstep uninvited, few of us will turn it away.
Farm and rural people are typically generous in their giving, whatever the resource—time, effort, labor, money, or sharing in an abundance of something stored in a barn or tool shed. But if we have a need ourselves, asking for help just seems like the wrong thing to do.
AgrAbility works with farmers with physical limitations and disabilities. Traumatic injury, aging, disease or something that came with our bodies at birth can cause any one of us to not be able to do things as easily or efficiently as it could be. The average age of farmers these days is somewhere around 56 years old. Those bodies have seen some wear and tear! Arthritis, back pain, chronic pain, fatigue, carpel tunnel, joint pain and a whole host of other physical stress sends many of us to the medicine cabinet every night for a dose of over the counter relief, just to get a decent night's sleep before doing it all over again the next day.
AgrAbility isn't going to be able to fix the physical wrinkle in the body, but it can help make work a little easier on the farm so the body isn't stretched quite as far every day.
And guess what? When the physical element gets a little relief, the mental aspect of life looks brighter, better and more hopeful too. The two are internally, externally and permanently intertwined, connected and locked together. Now there is hope; now there is a way for me to do my job, keep working my business and support my family.
It is so much fun working farm shows for AgrAbility. I get to visit with people I know and people that I will soon know. Everyone I encounter expresses support and encouragement for the mission of AgrAbility. That is encouraging to hear; this work is important. This work is worthwhile.
There are always a few older farmers with bent backs who walk with a cane that stop to see some of the strange looking tools on our table. "Yup, yup—we've got to help the people who need help." I've heard it a hundred times. An extra step to ease getting on tractors or gripping devices for hand tools are simple and easy aides that might help them farm easier. But it's never themselves that need the help.
Yes, I get it; it is hard to ask. But in asking, you are also providing the opportunity for a blessing for the giver. The receiver will be blessed with help, and the giver blessed in providing the help.
Could you farm easier? Need a little help but hate to ask? AgrAbility is alive and well in Michigan and Indiana, waiting for you to ask. It's well worth a look. These folks can help you think of solutions to working easier that you may never have imagined. Swallow that pride or whatever is holding you back and make the call!
Bev Berens is a mom to 4-H and FFA members in Michigan. Do you have a story to share? Email her at uphillfarm494@yahoo.com.