Sheri Carter is an Army veteran and a grandmother. She also wants to become a farmer on the 20 acres of land she owns in Missouri.
That goal has been hampered by military-related injuries to her neck and back. It’s difficult for her to bend or lift, she has muscle weakness and chronic fatigue syndrome.
“I’m not very strong. I have arthritis and no strength in my hands. That’s the most embarrassing,” said the 51-year-old Carter, who works full-time as a compliance manager for Walmart while tending her farm. She also suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression.
The combination of those ailments makes it difficult for her to walk about her large piece of property.
When Carter heard about Hope For The Warrior’s Wish program she applied with hopes of receiving a Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) which would make life and work on her farm more manageable.
The Warrior’s Wish program fulfills a desire for a better quality of life beyond recovery or supports a quest for life-gratifying endeavors for those who have sustained severe physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty.
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Hope For The Warriors, through its Warrior’s Wish program, responded to Carter’s request with the gifting of a Massimo 850-5 UTV valued at over $16,000.
Partnering with Massimo Moter Sports to fulfill the wish, the company sold the UTV at cost and personally delivered it to Carter, free of charge to ensure she received the UTV that fit best with her property and terrain.
“I’ve used it to go out and check my property. It’s nice to throw stuff into it and transport it even from my vehicle to my door when I can’t get up the hill to my house,” Carter said of the new UTV.
“The first time I went out with it, I took my eight-year-old granddaughter,” she continued. There was a tree fallen across our path. I said, `let’s get this thing out of our way and go have some fun.’ It was empowering my first time out.”
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It will also help Carter to grow her farming operations.
“I did start gardening last year It will be helpful for gardening,” she said. “It’ll be helpful getting to and from the areas and also hauling dirt and rock and plants and things like that.”
Carter was 37 years old when she joined the Army Reserves as a civil affairs specialist.
“I was going through life regretting that I hadn’t been able to serve. After 9/11 it became even more important to see that through,” she said of her entry into the military in 2008.
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Carter remained in the military for eight years, deploying to Djibouti in east Africa during 2010-11 where she worked in civil affairs psychological operations and in total worked in nine different countries covering missions.
“I had the most amazing opportunity to write about these missions. I’m glad I left that legacy for my children to see and share,” she noted.
In addition to her full-time job and working around her farm, she opens her gates to others as often as possible for an evening of peace and relaxation.
“My property has given me a newfound freedom and sense of accomplishment and confidence that I have not had in many years. Farming has given me an outlet for my PTSD, depression and anxiety. I’ve already begun to arrange monthly bonfires where I invite other female veterans and others in volunteer public services to have a safe space to share openly and discuss self-care methods,” said Carter, who added the UTV helps move her guests around the property.
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“Sheri is so amazing. Mid-life she joined the military because she felt the need to serve her country,” said Robin Kelleher, co-founder and CEO of Hope For The Warriors. “When she had a need we felt it was vital that we pay her back for her service. This UTV is going to be a huge help to her, and she is already paying it forward to others in her community.”
Since 2006, Hope For The Warriors has provided almost $2.5 million in grants, assisting with 251 wishes.
For more information on Hope For The Warriors and Warrior’s Wish program, visit here.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connetingvets.com.