Rehab Tools & Ranching
Leaning on my knee scooter with my two horses, Red and Boo, by my side, and my loyal dog Tiekka faithfully accompanying me.
Before leaving the Kamloops hospital, we met with an Occupational Therapist. Her job was to ensure I had all the tools I needed to make the not-so-glamorous reality of having a broken leg functional. She set me up with crutches, a walker, a toilet seat riser, and a shower stool. She also recommended something that isn’t provided by our healthcare system— a knee scooter. I remembered one of my personal training clients using a knee scooter after ankle surgery and raving about how invaluable it was. Joel was a bit skeptical, though, and considering the scooter cost more than renting one for $25.00 a day, we would usually take a few days to discuss and decide on such a purchase. But it only took me a few hours to order one from Amazon—and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I could have made!
The truth about a knee scooter? It makes everything so much easier when you have a broken leg. Not only are you more stable and able to move faster, but you also don’t have to lean on crutches to stay steady. This means you can stand and reach for things, wash veggies at the sink, fill a bucket of water in the field, load it onto the quad, or stand comfortably while grooming the horses. The reality is—being a rancher doesn’t stop just because your leg is broken.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I have an amazing husband who won’t let me do anything that could risk my recovery. But being able to contribute in some way is so good for my mental health. Why do I have this overwhelming desire to keep ranching despite my injury? I think it comes down to a few key reasons:
God created us to work
In Genesis 1:28, even before sin entered the world, God gave Adam and Eve work. It's part of our design, and according to Isaiah 65:21-22, we’ll continue to work even in the new creation. There’s something purposeful about work that goes beyond its utilitarian value—it’s part of how we reflect the image of God.Ranching connects Joel and me
Although Joel and I each have part-time jobs outside the ranch, building MeadowView Reins and caring for the animals is something we do together. The sense of accomplishment we share from working side by side brings us closer. It must show because my in-laws often drop by just to see how much they enjoy watching us work together.Work brings stability in challenging times
Losing the ability to do even the simplest tasks I used to take for granted has been humbling. This experience has taught me valuable lessons, particularly in learning to be vulnerable in my marriage and receiving the incredible help Joel offers. Despite that, the routine of getting up each morning and checking on the animals—albeit now with the help of a quad—gives me a reassuring sense of normalcy.Contributing makes me feel positive
Even though it takes me much longer to complete tasks now, I feel so accomplished when I manage to do something on my own. It may be slower, but each small victory reminds me that I’m still capable of contributing to our ranch and our dream.
That being said, it’s essential that we don’t allow our work to define us. In a world where the first question often asked is, "What do you do?" it’s easy to fall into the trap of workaholism. Consumerism pushes us to find our worth in material success—the size of our house, the brand of our clothes, or the car we drive. But when we reject that mindset and embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, as Joshua Becker describes, "the intentional promotion of the things we most value by removing everything that distracts us from it," we can begin to see work as a positive, God-given aspect of our lives.
Through this challenging time, I’ve been able to lean into my faith. I've learned to trust God to carry me through, to find resilience in continuing my commitments, and to appreciate how this detour has allowed me to focus on building a strong foundation for MeadowView Reins.
Whether it’s working on a business plan or seeking grant funding, I can see how God is bringing beauty out of this mess. No matter how hard or uncertain things seem, God is always at work—using even the setbacks to bring something good into the world.
