Despite an accident involving an agricultural tractor which deprived him of his legs, Sébastien Gaudreault still cultivates hemp and oats today on the land of his parents in Saint-Henri-de-Taillon. The paraplegic farmer has never gone up, showing resilience.
The accident that almost cost him his life when he was only three years old. Sébastien Gaudreault was set up for the first time on a tractor to accompany his father. It was a common practice at the time, he said, but there was no protective cabin at that time.
“I was unlucky. I stopped keeping myself grabbed during an order fraction. My father tried to catch up with me, but it was the fraction too much. I fell just forward large rear wheels. What I especially remember is pressure. All my blood went up to my head and I was no longer able to breathe. My father thought I was dead. »»
As soon as he was able to slow down the imposing machine, his father took him in his arms and then drive him to the hospital. This did not prevent Sébastien Gaudreault from going back to a tractor later.
“I wanted to continue driving tractors and I am a mule head!” It didn’t scare me and it never traumatized me. I have always had a steering wheel in my hands since, whether it has been a mountain bike, a snowmobile, a motorcycle or anything. I never stopped. »»
Never give up her dream
The paraplegic farmer especially wanted to give up his dream of taking over from his father.
« Many people advised me to sell everything and go to an apartment, but I was not able. Other people gave me tits behind the back, telling me to continue. I have always been determined. I better like to see the glass half full than half empty. There are days that it is not going well, but we say that the next day, it will be better. »»
To maintain his land, Sébastien Gaudreault receives occasional help, farmers’ neighbors or four children. He shows ingenuity and uses his arms to get on his tractor from his mountain bike.
“I adapted myself as I get older with my handicap. It was not that difficult. Tractors are easier to drive today. We hardly use pedals. Before, you had to press the clutch and I used my hands, a little stick or things like that. I managed. I am able to sow and harvest it, a little mechanics through it. »»
The farmer also had good parents, as he said.
Grow a farm
“At that time, several parents who had disabled children placed them in centers, but my mother refused. She took care of myself and wanted me to have the same chances as the others. I grew up on the farm. »»
Sébastien Gaudreault refuses to complain and at 56, he says he is happy today. There are more unhappy people, he hastens to add.
“I would have preferred to keep my legs and it limits me. There are things I would like to do. My dream was to pilot an airplane. You should not ask for the impossible. There are things that I can’t do and you have to accept it. Regrets, it prevents you from moving forward. »»