Farming with a Disability

Roland Herman

COLTON, Ore. – Roland Herman cuts the engine on his four-wheeler and reaches for his cane. His worn boots squish into the mix of mud and manure as he shifts his weight between his prosthetic and remaining leg. Herman unlatches the door of the metal barn and begins the feeding process he has done morning and night for the past 60 years. The cows patiently file into the barn from the pasture and wait for their servings of hay and grain.

It was in this same barn nearly six years ago that Herman realized something was desperately wrong. He came to on the cold floor, extremely disoriented, after passing out. Diagnosed with colon cancer soon after, he began the long journey of treatment, remission and recovery. Despite having lost one of his legs and his colon, Herman’s work ethic and unyielding determination allowed him to continue farming with a disability.

"Life is different now. I am part bionic and I can’t eat seeds,” said Herman. “But, I’ve gotten through this and I can still do most things that I could do before.”

With the addition of an ileostomy bag, Herman now joins the United Ostomy Association’s estimation of 500,000 people living with some version of a stoma in the United States. While having a section of intestine permanently outside of the body to release food and liquid from the stomach is not ideal, it has been the key to survival for Herman.

According to the American Cancer Society, ileostomies become necessary when the colon or rectum are no longer usable. The ileum (the lowest part of the small intestine) is brought outside of the body to form a stoma so that the patient can process food correctly, and essentially stay alive.

Each day, before Herman is able to make the trek out to the barn to feed the cattle, he must go through a series of steps most people never dream of having to complete. He gently unfolds the bottom of the bag and empties out the contents. A glass of water is poured into the bag, cleaning it completely. He then folds it back together and repeats the same process again after his next meal.

When a new bag is needed every few days, Herman gently peels off the tacky glue around the stoma itself and pulls it from his skin. A new bag is carefully applied with a peanut-butter-like substance as he holds his skin taunt to prevent leaks. This 45-minute process is time he will never get back, but understands is just part of life.

While his prosthetic leg is much easier to put on, it comes with confusing issues. “I have phantom leg syndrome,” said Herman. “Sometimes it feels like I have a cramp in my calf but there is nothing there.”

His disabilities however have not stopped Herman from being a hard-working farmer who diligently tends to his cattle and land. As he shuffles around the barn, the cows moo in approval as he offers food and pats to them on their necks. Instead of feeling limited, Herman has adapted.

“This is just the way it is,” said Herman.