Surviving, adapting and thriving: Bell Family shares disability journey

HAGERSTOWN, Ind. — National AgrAbility released a new micro documentary: “Surviving, Adapting, and Thriving: the Bell Family in Agriculture.”

Strawberry farmer Ed Bell survived a violent attack in 1983 that left him paralyzed — but that was not the end of his story.

“The doctor told me, ‘If you don’t get pneumonia I think you’ll live through this, but you’re never going to walk, you’re never going to have children and you’re never going to be able to pick up a dime with your fingers.’

“I got the use of my fingers back. It took us nine years, but we were able to have Nellie. I can’t walk, but two out of three ain’t bad.”

In the video, Bell discusses how the trauma has affected him and his family.

Just surviving was a challenge. But back on the farm, driving a small tractor made him feel like he wasn’t disabled. He could be productive. He just had to do things differently.

AgrAbility showed him he wasn’t the only one with a disability.

He pivoted his farm to growing strawberries and raising Doberman puppies. And while it’s been a difficult journey, Bell and his family have done more than survive — they’re thriving.

Learn more about Bell’s story by watching the video on YouTube at https://tinyurl.com/Bell-Family-Doc.

Learn more about Bell’s farm at eatmorestrawberries.com/.