Blind farmer not letting Melissa keep him down

As he skilfully tilled his farmland for a cabbage patch in the Kilmarnock district in St Elizabeth last Friday, it was almost impossible to tell that Norman Spence is completely blind.

Like other farmers, Hurricane Melissa has completely destroyed most of his farms, but Spence said he has already counted his losses and is moving on.

"My entire plantain, banana and corn and yam farm went down. However, after the storm, I jumped up and did some really hard work and replanted about 90 per cent of the plantains, and they are coming up really good. I also plant some corn, and they are really doing well at this point. I have to get up and get back to work because farming is my source of income," Spence said.

Known as the Breadbasket of Jamaica, St Elizabeth was one of the parishes hit the hardest by the Category 5 hurricane. Its passage saw a huge hike in the prices of farming produce. Fields of crops were destroyed, making it extremely difficult for some farmers to get back on their feet. But, Spence emphasised that his losses are behind him and he looks towards feeding the nation once more.

"Food is not like clothes or shoes that we can buy all once a year. We need food every day, so I have to replant. It is my obligation to plant so that the citizens of my country will be well fed. We don't want to be importing stuff as this will just affect the economy," he said.

"If I should get any assistance I would be tremendously grateful for it, but I have confidence in my ability to just get up and take care of myself. As I said before, the farm is 90 per cent back up, and the only thing I really need is fertiliser to strengthen them," he said.

Spence began losing his eyesight at the age of nine. Two years later, his vision got worse, and his parents got him enrolled in the Salvation Army School for the Blind. Three years after his enrolment, he completely lost his sight. He has several farms in different sections of the district, a few of which are located in the hills. He told THE STAR that getting to them can be treacherous, but he has no intention of hanging up his farming tools any time soon.

"I am used to challenges, and I have been through so much. About 16 years ago, I was coming from one of my farms, and I tripped, and my leg was badly broken. I was confined to bed for about five months, and it took me another two years before I could fully resume my farming. I have to just give the Creator thanks for giving me that extra drive to get up and continue whenever I am faced with battles," he said.

He stated that his other four senses play a major role in how he takes on his daily tasks.

"My brain plays a major role in me navigating the steep terrains and so on. I am able to train myself to know where the huge rocks are, so I don't fall. It's like added wisdom that the Almighty has given me," he said.

Describing the passage of Melissa as the worst natural disaster he has experienced, Spence said he lost his house to the winds, and he was forced to seek refuge along with his sister in his bathroom. Currently, tarpaulin is being used as a temporary roof for Spence's house. Having already purchased some blocks, sand and steel, the Rastafarian said he would be appreciative of any form of assistance from the public towards the reconstruction of his house.

Persons wishing to assist Norman Spence may contact him at 876-479-4032.