![]() ![]() That appropriately describes the economics of being a dirt farmer, but it does not do justice to the values and work ethic that come from working the land. Oh the poor old dirt farmer, he’s lost all his corn, and now where’s the money to pay off his loan? Depending on how the nickname is delivered, it can be either an insult or a compliment. To use an old farm expression, I come from a long line of “dirt farmers.” My “official” definition of dirt farmer is someone who farms for subsistence, who does not have any hired hands, who does all of the work himself or herself. I definitely fall into the second camp because the values that formed who I am, how I live my life, and how my company does business can be traced back to my parents and grandparents. In fact, you feel as though you have been given the ultimate gift-life-and as the good book says, “To whom much is given, much is required.” You feel privileged to be alive, but you also feel the world owes you nothing in return. If nothing is handed to you and you have to work for everything you get, oftentimes your imagination takes flight, you become finely attuned to your surroundings, and you have a drive that will not be denied. On the other hand, when you come from more modest beginnings, I think the opposite is true. It gives you a feeling of entitlement and of special privilege, as though the world owes you something just for being alive. As I see it, being born with a silver spoon in your mouth stifles your imagination, intuition, and initiative. I believe Plato had it right when he said necessity is the mother of invention. Our goals are not only for disabled people but also for everyone with whom we come in contact. In our collective mind, we’re not just making wheelchair lifts and converting vans we’re gaining the ability to get out and cast a vote, visit children and grandchildren, and go to the grocery store, just like everyone else. Where others see chasms, they see bridges that have yet to be built. Where others see steps, they see ramps and lifts that have yet to be installed. Where most people see walls, they see doors that have yet to be created. Just like my parents demanded for me and just as I demand for myself, our customers demand to live life on their terms, to being the mainstream of society. ![]() This story is as much about them as it is about any of us. 1Īs anyone at Braun will tell you, the real stars of my story are the people who use our products to overcome their own challenges. Behind her is a whole crew of people in supporting roles, some at our headquarters in Winamac and some in our dealerships worldwide, who have led this company to its position as the mobility industry leader. That’s all well and good, but I don’t need a Hollywood cast or a big production company to prove my worth. I already have an incredible cast around me, beginning with my wife, Melody, who, in my eyes, is the most beautiful woman in the world. Given all the challenges I’ve overcome, some people say my life would make a good movie. Yet another is how my colleagues and I worked our way through obstacles that kill lesser companies and in the process built something that will have lasting value long after we’re gone. Another piece is how I surrounded myself with good people, made good products, and got those products to customers who needed them. One piece of the quilt is how I overcame my muscular dystrophy “death sentence” to start and grow an enduring and successful business that gives people the world over the ability to lead full and active lives. My story, and my company’s story, is like a patchwork quilt. ![]()
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