Finding a way around, with a little help

OTERO COUNTY – Easter Seals estimates there as many as 7,000 farmers in Colorado suffering from a disability that keeps them from working. Bert Nesselhuf became one of them a decade ago.

He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and it has kept the lifelong farmer from getting out in his fields.

"I was born a farmer. I enjoyed it since I was 10 to 12-year-old. I had my own garden," said Bert.

He has around 350 acres in the small town of Manzanola in southeastern Colorado.

He met his wife, Ellen, in 6th grade and they have been married for more than 40 years. They raised their family on the farm and life was good, until a few years ago, when Bert started having trouble getting around.

"I don't like anybody helping me," he said.

Doctors diagnosed Bert with MS in 1992 and one even told him to change his way of life. Bert had other plans.

"I was going to farm until I die and that's it," he said.

That is when Jason Beck came to help. Beck works with the Easter Seals ArgrAbility Project. In essence, he helps farmers with disabilities get back to work. However, Bert's case was unique.

"We had to change the plan quite a few times," said Beck.

"He was walking with a cane and then he was walking with a walker and now he's in a wheelchair - you adjust," said Ellen.

However, they found there was nothing on the market to meet Bert's changing needs.

"We started looking at all sorts of things. We started with a golf cart," said Beck.

"(But) you couldn't do it on a golf cart at all - no wheelchair - no electric car," said Bert.

It took nearly four years to find the right solution, and they found it in a retrofitted Kawasaki mule. Bert can sit in his wheelchair and drive the all-terrain cart with his hands, giving him mobility he has not had in several years.

"It's quicker. I get where I want to go real quick usually," said Bert.

Easter Seals worked with several local organizations to come up with a solution for Bert. They say it is the only one like it in the country.

"It's great, that's all I can say," said Bert.

Click here to learn more about the Easter Seals AgrAbility Project.