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ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Don Carringer farms six acres of land on his Franklin property. Three years ago, his good friend Mike asked him if he could help tend to the crops.
Carringer thought the offer of help was generous, but wasn’t sure how much Mike could help.
ROBBINSVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — Don Carringer farms six acres of land on his Franklin property. Three years ago, his good friend Mike asked him if he could help tend to the crops.
Carringer thought the offer of help was generous, but wasn’t sure how much Mike could help.
That’s because when Mike was 7-years-old, he was paralyzed from the waist down in a car wreck. It’s something Mike doesn’t often talk about, because he says it’s not something that defines him.
“Mike does way more than anybody can imagine as a paraplegic,” Carringer said.
Mike went on to graduate from high school, attend college at Western Carolina University, and become a teacher at Robbinsville High School until his retirement.
He was persistent in his request to help Carringer, so they eventually plowed up a patch of land for a satellite farm on Mike’s property. The rows were specially made, big enough for Mike to drive a cart through them and plow up weeds.
“I’ve been taking the car and pulling the weeds and making sure they are mowed, but that’s all. It’s mostly Don,” Mike said.
Almost every evening, Mike tends to the sweet potato crops.
“It’s something to do and anybody can do. It’s nothing special,” Mike said.
Carringer said it’s Mike’s dedication that has made this year’s crop some of the best he’s ever seen.
“He has stayed right with it and kept all the weeds out. It’s his love and attention, and we have had good weather here,” he said.
From this year’s crop, they should get 75 to 100 bushels, but Mike and Carringer said it’s not about the number of potatoes, it’s about the amount of time spent with friends.
“He inspires me incredibly. Don’t let the little stuff bother you,” he said of Mike.
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