AgrAbility Quarterly. Wendell Burkes AgrAbility helps a farmer not ready for retirement

Client Story: Wendell Burkes AgrAbility helps a farmer not ready for retirement

For fifty years Wendell Burkes has been farming in Mississippi. Farming was not just something he did, but it was a central part of his life. So when he woke up one summer morning in 2000 realizing that something was seriously wrong, his first concern was not his health. As his wife, Evelyn, drove him to the hospital, all he could think about was his poultry operation.

That morning in August Wendell suffered a brain stem stroke. The stroke, caused by a blood clot, left him with right side paralysis. After the stroke, Wendell could not hold his head up, was nourished through a feeding tube, and was limited in mobility and communication. By December, he had emergency surgery due to a staph infection that developed between his lungs and ribcage. He was discharged from the hospital in February 2001. He began physical therapy at the T.K. Martin Center for Technology and Disability with Cliff Dedeaux shortly thereafter to improve the functioning of his right side.

While Wendell was hospitalized, the Burkes contacted Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), the Mississippi independent living center, which provided a wheelchair for Wendell when he was discharged. LIFE also referred Wendell to the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services, which then connected the Burkes with the Mississippi AgrAbility Project.

Wendell and Evelyn contacted AgrAbility in 2002 to request assistance. Herb Willcutt, MS AgrAbility Project Director, visited the Burkes in September and conducted an on-site farm assessment. It was determined at that time that Wendell was not physically able to get back to poultry farming. “The Burkes initially contacted AgrAbility in 2002, but after inspection of the poultry houses there wasn’t much that could be done,” said Jimmy McDaniel, Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) Rehabilitation Technologist and Mississippi AgrAbility staff.

Herb Willcutt (left) with Wendell Burkes (seated in his Kawasaki Mule) on the Burkes farm near the cattle pastures.
Wendell Burkes and Herb Willcutt (left) surveying the Burkes farm during an AgrAbility visit.

The case was re-opened in the fall of 2005 after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Burkes chicken houses. “Mr. Burkes wanted nothing more, but to get back in his tractor,” commented Jimmy. “There was a lot of work and many issues involving his disability working with poultry,” Jimmy said, “but after Hurricane Katrina Mr. Burkes thought it would be in his best interest to switch to cattle.”

The Burkes 300-acre operation had seen many transitions in Wendell’s fifty years as a farmer. The family farm originally produced row crops and cotton in the 1950s, but in the 1970s Wendell switched to a poultry operation along with some hay and cattle.

Today, Wendell runs about fifty beef cattle in the cow-calf operation. He sells the calves when they reach 400-500 pounds. In addition, Wendell produces about 150 round bales of hay on twenty acres per year to feed his livestock.

In 2005, when AgrAbility staff returned to Wendell’s farm for another farm assessment, they helped him determine what he would need when he switched to a cow-calf operation. Herb and Jimmy learned Wendell needed assistance attaching implements to his tractor and opening gates on his farm. AgrAbility recommended and MDRS purchased a quick hitch and four solar-powered gate openers. The quick hitch aids Wendell in attaching implements so he can rake and bale hay without getting off his tractor. The gate openers improve access around the farmstead and make different areas available to him to check on his beef cattle. “I never knew this much was out there for people,” said Wendell. “AgrAbility shows us that you can keep going and keep doing.”

Color photo of a solar-powered gate opener.
A close-up of one of the four solar-powered gate openers MDRS purchased to improve access around the farmstead.

In addition to the tractors, Wendell has a Kawasaki Mule and powered scooter to help with mobility. The Burkes purchased the Mule, while MDRS purchased the powered scooter for Wendell. “Those things are wonderful… He can go and check on his cattle with the push of a button and doesn’t need to wait until I get home,” exclaimed Evelyn.

He cuts and rakes hay and tends the family’s horses. In all they have five quarter horses and one mule colt. “He wants to do it all,” Evelyn laughs. “That’s a little more than either of us can do.”

Evelyn and Wendell attribute their success to the help from AgrAbility, the T. K. Martin Center, and MDRS as Wendell has made “miraculous” improvements. While he still has trouble with balance and speaking, he is able to do what he wants. Evelyn jokes, “He will even go shopping with me now.” With the powered scooter provided by MDRS, Wendell and Evelyn are able to go to livestock sales. MDRS provided the funds to make the Burkes’ bathroom accessible with a roll-in shower and rails. T. K. Martin provided Wendell with a treadmill so he can exercise at home.

Wendell continues outpatient physical therapy one day a week. He currently uses a walker, but is working toward the day he can walk with only a cane. He takes Plavix to reduce the risks of blood clots and walks on the home treadmill every day to improve his condition. “I walk a quarter of a mile, faithfully, every day,” said Wendell.

“The Burkes represent Mississippi, AgrAbility, and farmers well as they are hard-working and determined,” said Jimmy.

Focus – Strokes

In This Issue
Section 1: Client Story Section 2: Focus Section 3: Assistive Technology Notes	Section 4: State Project Feature Section 5: References Section 6: Contacts