Is a Self Sufficient Lifestyle Only Feasible if Healthy and Strong?

[Wannabefree]

Nobody does anything on their own, and I don't plan to try it as I age either. I have friends, neighbors, kids, nieces, nephews that will likely be willing to help...then there is the CSA route where the people can share the crops as well as the responsibilities. There are ways around limitations so long as we don't all turn into zombie fearing hermits. Networking with people of like minds and balancing out each others limitations is already a way of life for me, no reason for it to stop being if my back gets too bad, or I break a hip or something. As much as I don't want to rely on money, you can almost always hire some help if nothing else, or even barter for labor needed. I don't think SS lifestyle has any more limitations than any other beyond what we limit ourselves by not thinking more creatively and being more inclusive of community.

Snap...I'll come help ya if I can

 

[CheerioLounge]

Networking with people of like minds and balancing out each others limitations...

I don't think SS lifestyle has any more limitations than any other beyond what we limit ourselves by not thinking more creatively and being more inclusive of community.

I'll second that! I firmly believe that without the cooperation and assistance of our friends and neighbors, we'd not be as well off as we are.

 

[Dawn419]

My husband and I got hit by a drunk driver a few years ago and it really messed our backs up- we're in our 30s. It was a pretty brutal reminder that you're not promised forever and you've got no guarantees that you'll have the body/ability that you planned on having either. Sometimes physical therapists ask me why I keep farming if it hurts and I can't help but smile when I tell them that it hurts to walk, to sit for long, to carry laundry baskets and trash, to shovel snow etc. and I'm not giving those things up, so I'm not giving up the good stuff either.

Doc_gonzo and I know where you are coming from there, TC.

We were in a bike wreck in '07...kid ran his red light and we never saw it coming until it was too late (concrete barrier wall hid him from view). The witness that called it in was sure we were dead (we got to hear the 9-1-1 tape and still get the willys when I think about it). We were very fortunate that doc reacted quickly enough to snatch down on the bikes front brake which sent the two of us flying over the car insted of through it. I came away with a broken right wrist (my main hand, of course), some cracked ribs and was one big bruise...doc ended up with a busted pelvis and a tear in his bladder.

My grandmom brought me home from the hospital and begged me to stay with her so she could take care of me and I explained to her that I couldn't do that/didn't have that option as we had chicken rabbits and our dog that depended on me to take care of them and they had been abandoned for the past 3 days. She reluctanly took me home.

The first thing I did was try to make a one-handed peanut butter sandwhich with my barely used left hand. That went over so well that I broke down and cried my eyes out for several minutes, pulled myself together and just ate peanut butter out of the jar.

The next day was spent relearning how to feed and water the chickens and rabbits with one hand. It wasn't easy and it took several hours with the ribs screaming the whole time but getting it done was a great feeling!

Doc made it home a week later and using a walker. As a welcome home gift...the 3 roosters that had been getting along famously decided it was time to start fighting. The 2 that we still have had beat the third up pretty good so I got to figure out how to get the beat up one out of the coop using 1 arm and the net. I came inside in tears and doc came back out with me and cheered me on the whole time and I got it accomplished much easier than I expected to!

That whole situationed really opened our eyes about just how easily and quickly your world can turn upside down.

 

[Team Chaos]

I hope you and Doc_Gonzo continue to mend, Dawn!

I really appreciate the focus on community in this thread. It seems like anyone can cobble together a self-sufficient guide to life through the 'net and books, but nothing takes the place of real live people.

 

[Avalon1984]

That is a great topic. Many things required for self sufficiency can be physically demanding. It is important to share tasks and if your spouse if limited in their physical capacity to help, maybe they could help in other ways? Nobody here (as far as I can judge) is 100% self sufficient. That means we rely on money. Have the spouse do all the budgeting, paying bills, calling utilities or the phone company for lower rates, keep an eye out for sales, be on craigslist all day to find cheap things, etc. There are a whole bunch of things involved in trying to be self sufficient.

You might also find that you build strength doing chores and your body gets used to it. So even if the rototiller it too much work right now, doesnt mean that it always is. If you have the energy to only split 2 large pieces of wood, it is a start. Next time you might be able to do 3, and so on. It is all a process that takes time and diligence. Best of luck to you and your family!

 

[Denim Deb]

I think it's because of all the physical work that I do that my back is as healthy as it is. I have mild scoliosis, plus back problems from a few car accidents. But, I can cut and chop more wood than my husband. He constantly is throwing his back out. I don't know why he throws it out, after all that's something you need, so why toss it?

 

[dragonlaurel]

Okay - I feel lazy now. I didn't do any housework tonight because of a bad toothache. I'm just up now having a cup of herb tea to help soothe it, then laying back down.

 

[Denim Deb]

Take care of that tooth! Last time I had a tooth ache that wouldn't stop I ended up having a root canal.

 

[dragonlaurel]

The tea helped. I made a pot of chamomile and clove tea with some stevia. By the end of the cup- my tongue was a bit numb too. The chamomile helped me sleep and made the flavor better. Stevia was also for flavor and wouldn't aggravate the problem, since it doesn't have any sugar.

 

[hqueen13]

The first thing I did was try to make a one-handed peanut butter sandwhich with my barely used left hand. That went over so well that I broke down and cried my eyes out for several minutes, pulled myself together and just ate peanut butter out of the jar.

I know the break-down-can't-stop-crying-cause-I-can't-do-THIS! I spent a great deal of my childhood with orthopedic issues with my legs/knees, and struggled, and had to have surgery again last year on my knee to try to make it "better." I remember laying in bed in so much pain and discomfort from just existing in that condition for so long that there isn't anything you can do other than cry and cry for a while.

My other half came home tonight and told me about a family that is one of his boss's dad's employees that just lost their house to a fire. His company, and the community have completely banded together and are supporting the family. It is quite amazing to see. It makes me feel good that he works for this company, I know we'd be taken care of if something happened. I wouldn't say that self sufficiency is only for the healthy/strong. These folks were a family with young ones, too. What I think is more important is that there is a strong community to help pull together at times of crisis. That is irreplaceable.