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How Manitoba Farmers With Disabilities (MFWD) began At the end of October, 1995, after harvesting was completed, Neil and a co-worker were working at getting the combine cleaned and ready for storage. “We were putting the combine away for the winter. My partner was sweeping out the hopper and I was down at the bottom taking the cleanings out of the auger. I didn’t hear him when he past behind me saying he was going to start the auger up. The motor was running and I was concentrating on the job. I just didn’t hear him. He started the auger up and my arm got caught. I gave my arm a good tug and got it out, but unfortunately it was too late to save it. The hand was cut to the bone and my fingers were torn off. I was rushed to the hospital where the doctors amputated my right hand and a good part of my lower arm.” Neil was in hospital for a short time, and did very well in physiotherapy and occupational therapy through that winter. He adjusted to using the prosthetic arm and began to do chores around the farm. “That’s when I discovered just how much I needed to modify my tools. I worked best as a right-handed person and was determined to come up with ways to make attachments to my prosthesis to continue doing work with my right arm.” During one of his visits with the doctor, he asked about support groups for amputees. The doctor said there wasn’t one and encouraged him to start one. By November of 1997, there were 5 couples that met together once a month to encourage and learn from each other as well as share ideas on how to function with a disability. Before winter was over the group had grown to over 40 people from all parts of Manitoba. There was a need out there to bring disabled farmers together. Over the next couple of years, the group began receiving requests to speak at public engagements and local schools on farm safety. They told the stories on how their accidents happened. There was a strong emphasis on taking safety more seriously in order to prevent similar accidents in the future. In November of 1998, a eight-member Board of Directors was elected to cover six regions in Manitoba: Central Plains, Eastman, Interlake, Parkland, Pembina Valley, and Westman. The organization became a registered charity as Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities. Our organization was invited by Winnipeg Health Science Centre Physiotherapy Department to visit new amputees. They felt that when patients met with other amputees it can sometimes lead to a kind of healing that happens within. Sharing one another’s pain can guide the way to hope, can lead to courage, and to a new purpose. Manitoba Farmers with Disabilities developed support that would reach the whole family. It isn’t just the injured person who is hurting – but the whole family! Manitoba Farmers With Disabilities Today Safety programs have been developed to demonstrate to children, youth and adults, how quickly an accident can happen. Through the use of a showcase using 1/16th scale farm machinery, we can demonstrate the hazards of a tractor roll over without rollover protection equipment. We also show the dangers around a Power Take-off shaft, teach combine safety, as well as safe animal handling. We encourage farm families to use safety at all times. Our goal is to educate the public about farm safety in the hope that the agricultural industry will become a safer occupation for our future farmers. Through our prevention initiatives we offer safety training in schools, agricultural presentations, exhibitions and children’s safety days. All that we do and all that we have done, has been through the dedication of our volunteers. Each year we ask them to attend more events and give more of their time to farm safety. I am filled with gratitude, as each and every year our volunteer have been more than ready to give more of their time to this work.

		How To Contact Us
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MFWD Programs and Services A variety of support and information groups are available. Members visit people in hospital who have had accidents involving the loss of limbs, and they offer the victim and the family support. They also visit schools, Ag shows, 4-H clubs, Church groups and Universities; to inform the public about how to prevent and deal with farm and other accidents. The organization also visits many different businesses; informing workers about safety in the workplace, and has participated in public speaking engagements.
Useful Links www.ruralstress.ca - Manitoba Farmers Rural Stress Line - Tips on Managing Stress www.agriwellness.org - Articles on farmer wellness www.progressiveag.org - Learn about the Safety Days programs in Manitoba www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/farmsafety - Get information on *Farm Safety Training, Safe Farm Check Program* and Creating Safe Play Areas www.gov.mb.ca/healthyliving/farmsafety - Information on Safe Play Areas Development Grants
Board of Directors