The Strength to Pursue a Dream

How a Love of Agriculture Keeps Doug Going

Doug B.’s connection to agriculture began early on a southern Oklahoma farm, where he helped his father raise beef cattle and forage crops. Although he left farming after high school, the desire to return never faded. Years later, after moving to Missouri to help his parents, Doug and his wife, Teresa, set their sights on building a rural life of their own.

In 2014, they found 160 acres near Stockton that were well suited for cattle and hay production. While continuing their day jobs, Doug and Teresa spent weekends improving the property and growing a Gelbvieh herd to 65 head, with plans to eventually retire and farm full time.

But that plan changed abruptly in November 2017, when an ATV accident left Doug with multiple fractures and a spinal cord injury.

Doctors said he’d never walk again.

Recovery was long and uncertain, but Doug’s commitment to agriculture never wavered. During rehabilitation, he learned about AgrAbility and its role in supporting farmers affected by disability.

After returning home, he connected with Missouri AgrAbility, which brought together a team of professionals to identify practical adaptations that could keep Doug involved
in farming.

Equipment was modified with hand controls. A tracked wheelchair provided mobility across uneven terrain. And livestock handling systems were redesigned to improve safety.

At the same time, Doug remained focused on a longer-term goal: walking again. He participated in intensive rehabilitation programs and clinical trials that explored emerging mobility technologies. Over time, incremental progress opened the door to new possibilities.

In 2024, advances in wearable robotic exoskeletons made it possible for Doug to bring this technology into daily life. After extensive evaluations and supervised training, he began using an exoskeleton at home, which gave him the ability to stand, walk, and navigate everyday environments.

The technology is not without limitations, however, and some farm tasks still require seated equipment or assistance from family members. But the gains are meaningful: improved circulation, daily exercise, and the ability to move through the world upright.

Doug’s experience reflects the evolving nature of adaptation in agriculture. Progress often comes through a combination of determination, collaboration, and technology that continues to advance. With guidance from AgrAbility and ongoing research partnerships, Doug continues to test what is possible.

“I’m still learning what I can do,” he says. But, given how far he’s already come, no one is doubting Doug’s resolve.