Blind bush mechanic calls it a day
Nov 29, 2012 18:26:17 #
lachmap
Loc: Sydney Australia
Thought that this was worthy of a mention here. Very inspirational.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15519778/blind-bush-mechanic-calls-it-a-day/
Blind bush mechanic calls it a day
By Chrissy Arthur, ABC November 30, 2012, 10:13 am
A blind bush mechanic who is regarded as an outback legend will spend his last work day at a western Queensland service station today.
For more than 30 years, Merv Ploger, 70, and his wife Bub have run the fuel station in Windorah, south-west of Longreach.
Merv lost his sight 22 years ago but that did not stop him serving fuel and fixing tyres and cars.
He says he has never considered he had a disability.
"I didn't know it was a difficulty - I'm just a normal, everyday person," he said.
"I can pull a motor and gearbox apart as long as the customer can put them back together."
He devised a measuring stick years ago to work out what cash notes his customers were handing over.
"They are all different lengths - I stick it on my measuring stick and it's got a $20 mark on it, a $50 and a $100, a $5 and a $10," he said.
Barcoo Mayor Julie Groves says it has been an outstanding achievement.
"Definitely a living outback legend," she said.
She says the couple have made a big contribution in Windorah.
The Plogers will spend their last day in the business today.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/latest/a/-/latest/15519778/blind-bush-mechanic-calls-it-a-day/
Blind bush mechanic calls it a day
By Chrissy Arthur, ABC November 30, 2012, 10:13 am
A blind bush mechanic who is regarded as an outback legend will spend his last work day at a western Queensland service station today.
For more than 30 years, Merv Ploger, 70, and his wife Bub have run the fuel station in Windorah, south-west of Longreach.
Merv lost his sight 22 years ago but that did not stop him serving fuel and fixing tyres and cars.
He says he has never considered he had a disability.
"I didn't know it was a difficulty - I'm just a normal, everyday person," he said.
"I can pull a motor and gearbox apart as long as the customer can put them back together."
He devised a measuring stick years ago to work out what cash notes his customers were handing over.
"They are all different lengths - I stick it on my measuring stick and it's got a $20 mark on it, a $50 and a $100, a $5 and a $10," he said.
Barcoo Mayor Julie Groves says it has been an outstanding achievement.
"Definitely a living outback legend," she said.
She says the couple have made a big contribution in Windorah.
The Plogers will spend their last day in the business today.
Nov 30, 2012 10:25:19 #
Thank you for sharring , peoples like that are an inspiration for the rest of us .
Happy retirement
Happy retirement
Nov 30, 2012 11:58:46 #
Seems this gent is not the only one.
In New Hampshire a friend Buddy Beam, lost his sight to diabetes and went on to continue building custom hotrods.
I met Buddy as he was building a supercharged 454 Chevy engine destined for a 1936 Ford pick up.
Blind Mans Bluff Motors was Buddys shop, a local legend, and the cars he built were of the quality one would expect from a sighted hot rod builder.
Buddy has left us. but his hot rods still rumble the streets of Nashua NH.
In New Hampshire a friend Buddy Beam, lost his sight to diabetes and went on to continue building custom hotrods.
I met Buddy as he was building a supercharged 454 Chevy engine destined for a 1936 Ford pick up.
Blind Mans Bluff Motors was Buddys shop, a local legend, and the cars he built were of the quality one would expect from a sighted hot rod builder.
Buddy has left us. but his hot rods still rumble the streets of Nashua NH.
Nov 30, 2012 16:02:35 #
You can bet that people like this don't blame the world for everything bad that happens to them either. A true treasure.........Thanks,Jerry
Nov 30, 2012 16:02:46 #
You can bet that people like this don't blame the world for everything bad that happens to them either. A true treasure.........Thanks,Jerry
Dec 2, 2012 17:19:22 #
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