AgrAbility Quarterly. John Enns - Farmer Keeps on Goingto State Capital

Client Story: John Enns

Farmer Keeps on Going…to State Capital

Like many farmers and ranchers, John Enns is focused, hardworking, and civic minded. Despite a disabling rollover incident, this recently-married Oklahoma farmer looks forward to a bright and busy future, where he continues to farm and serve his fellow Oklahomans in the state legislature.

John began his farming career at six years old when he partnered with his eight-year-old brother to buy their first cow-calf pair. Using that original pair, he established a cow-calf operation that numbered 60 pair before his injury. He also raises a variety of grain and forage crops.

In 2004, John was involved in an incident while doing custom work for a neighbor. He was operating a rye wicker as part of his weed control program when it rolled over while driving through a ditch. The machine carries a herbicide-soaked wick or sponge which treats the taller plants that are considered weeds in a field. John broke his back in three places resulting in an incomplete T-12 spinal cord injury.

The road to recovery was tough for the 37-year-old farmer. After a successful back surgery to fuse several vertebrae and remove bone fragments from his spinal cord, John spent nearly two months recuperating in the Jim Thorpe Rehabilitation Hospital in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The physical therapist he was working with told him about AgrAbility and Oklahoma Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). He welcomed the services of these programs because he was eager to get back to the 1,000 acres of land he farmed as part of his family’s operation.

A close-up color photo of a smiling John Enns wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts, in his wheelchair, in front of the modified barn doors on his farm.
John Enns on his farm, next to the modified barn doors.

John contacted OVR and AgrAbility. “I was very impressed with the professionalism of the VR counselor and AgrAbility. They helped me navigate the process of getting back to farming,” John said. Carla Wilhite, an occupational therapist with Oklahoma AgrAbility, visited John about a month after he returned home from the hospital. At that time, AgrAbility conducted both a functional assessment and farm worksite assessment.

“The functional assessment allowed me to see what John’s physical abilities were, and as we did the worksite assessment, I was able to begin problem solving with John on what the potential solutions could be in terms of accessing buildings, equipment, vehicles, fields, etc.” Carla recalled, “I knew John was going to be an excellent candidate for vocational rehabilitation services because he was focused on maximizing his recovery, he was doing an excellent job of self-managing his care and therapies, and he was willing to be adaptable to the situation.”

Though John can walk 700 feet on flat ground with a walker and braces, he generally uses a manual wheelchair to get around. AgrAbility recommended a number of assistive technologies and modifications, including adapting his barn doors so he could open and close them himself, seated tractor lifts, hand controls and a chair lift for his pickup truck, gate opening devices, and an all-terrain powered scooter. OVR provided funding for the vehicle modifications, barn door adaptations, and tractor lifts. The Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation provided funding for his wheelchair lift for the pickup.

John is looking forward to doing more on his farm. “When I get on the tractor, I feel more normal.” One of John’s goals is to perform all the maintenance and repair work on his equipment. Moreover, John is looking to acquire additional technologies to help him hitch equipment and get out to his pastures.

A color photo of John Enns in his seated tractor lift, mid-way through the lift's pathway between ground and the tractor's cab. His wheelchair is on the ground below him and the tractor is in front of his barn.
John Enns using his seated tractor lift.

AgrAbility helped John write a Plan for Achieving Self-Sufficiency (PASS) to the Social Security Administration. The plan would set aside funds to purchase solar-powered gate openers, a powered scooter and a powered standing wheelchair so he can interact with people at eye level. Another avenue for purchasing equipment that John is considering, if the PASS plan is not approved, is an Alternative Finance Program loan through Oklahoma ABLE Tech and Oklahoma Assistive Technology Foundation.

With the help of many organizations, John continues to farm. “AgrAbility has meant a great deal to me… I am not sure I would be where I am today without their help.” John continues, “AgrAbility’s involvement has helped me to keep going physically, as well as mentally.”

John has certainly “kept going.” With the help of two part-time farmworkers, John continues to farm 320 acres of wheat, milo, and alfalfa in addition to managing his cow-calf operation. He hopes to get back to the 1000-acre operation someday. In July 2006, following his marriage to the love of his life, Charla, John ran for Oklahoma’s state legislature. “Running for office was something that was always in the back of my mind and with everything that has happened the past few years, I felt it was the right time,” John said. On November 16, 2006, John was sworn into office in the Oklahoma House of Representatives representing the 41st District.

John enjoys serving his community, a community that has known his family since 1893, when his great-grandparents participated in the Run of the Cherokee Strip, the largest land run that opened nearly 7 million acres to settlement. One of John’s dreams is to be able to ride a horse again over those 1000 acres to check on the cattle and fences and just enjoy the great outdoors.

“John has been incredible to work with as he is articulate, intelligent, and motivated.” Carla said, “He is the true embodiment of an Oklahoma farmer.”

Focus – Capacity Building with Health Care Professionals

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