Many times life puts us in unexpected situations for which we have no resolve, or simply changes all the perception accumulated up to now.
But no matter what, the human being is capable of miracles, of facing hopelessness, of chance, and above all, he is capable of getting ahead, of achieving victories and of being useful again.
This is the case of Miguel Betancourt, a resident of the popular council of Entronque de Herradura in the municipality of Consolación del Sur, who, as a result of an illness, lost his legs and was left with damage to his hands.
Miguel’s environment changed drastically, but according to his own words, physical and motor limitations do not prevent him today from maintaining his yard with crops for the household’s livelihood, and aspiring to sow more land on a farm near his home.
ONLY WILL
Long before this trap of life, Miguel worked as a bricklayer and automotive battery technician and electrician. Instead, today he happily assures that he is an agricultural producer, an activity that has always interested him.
“I am still neither a bricklayer nor an electrician, because knowledge and professions are never lost, but you see, now I am doing something that I always wanted to do, but never tried due to lack of time.
“This was an unexpected thing. While working I got a pain. I was in a coma for eight days and already the doctors feared the worst case scenario. My family tells me that at that moment in all parts of the medical team the news was to be prepared to say goodbye. But I came out of the coma and here I am. Doing it again for me and my family.”
Miguel assures that he is hot-blooded and restless, and that he never had time to get used to sitting down or fussing. He assures that he was always looking for something to do so as not to miss a day of work.
“I never got used to wasting time. I don’t like sitting down, I need to be doing something. After recovering, one day I decided not to be a burden to my family anymore, nor to be inside my house like an object. It was then that I decided to sow my little things”.
At 66 years old, Miguel affirms that, despite loving agriculture, he never thought of dedicating himself to working the land. Instead, he maintains that every day in his backyard is gratifying because he knows he is useful and necessary.
“All my life I have liked agriculture, what happens is that we cannot always do everything, nor be in many things at the same time. One is opting for some activities over others, and opportunities do not always come as desired.
“Now I started in this activity, taking small steps at a time, but with an eye on the future and what I intend to do. In this effort, if luck and health accompany me next year, I plan to increase my crops, because a friend is going to give me a space on his farm so I can plant more ”.
For the moment, Miguel is content with his tomato, lettuce, garlic, onion, pumpkin, plantain and other varieties, which he mostly uses for home consumption and to support the rest of his family.
“I have never been a merchant or a seller. With this I tell you that sometimes neighbors and friends come to look for some of my crops for daily food, and I humbly give it to them. I always try to help everyone that I can.”
UNLIMITED
To date, Miguel comments that he feels strong. And despite missing his feet and aching hands, as he himself says, he does not consider it an impediment to work, produce and grow as a human being.
“The land has given me back my desire, my hopes, but above all my desire to serve others.”
With such airs, this great man is waiting for the approval of his prostheses, as the medical team is still analyzing his request.
“They tell me that at my age this process is complex and they are not sure if I would be strong enough not to reject them. I understand that prosthetics are expensive and that the lockout prevents us from accessing the components needed to make them. I also understand that other younger people also need them, but I tell my doctors that my will today is stronger than ever.
“I even personally went to have some tests done and to show that I can walk again.
They were amazed, because I showed that I have strength to spare.”
While he waits for these prostheses to be able to work better, faster and more comfortably, as he says, he does not sit down to think and gouge and dig his land.
On the other hand, Miguel affirms that being a farmer does not prevent him from giving up his old professions, although he admits that the latter take up too much time and effort, and that they are now a bit more laborious.
“Despite this disability, I still do some masonry work, which is on a smaller scale. Where I can go I do. I throw floors, I tile, I put up small walls and things like that.
“Today I believe that the limits are just an excuse that the human being puts on himself. After being in this situation I have realized that barriers only exist in the mind of each one, and that they are there to challenge them, to break them, to conquer them.
“For me today there are still no limits, everything is in proposing something and trying to achieve it no matter how hard it is.
“Many people have a situation like mine, where life forced them to make the decision to be intimidated or to follow the path. I tell them to get up and restart their lives, to start over, that this is a second chance to set new goals and achieve other endeavors that were never dreamed of.
“I tell them to follow my example, because life only ends when we close our eyes.”
