Mr. JWR:
I am 57, been collecting prepping supplies for the last 5+ years, but was involved in an accident in 2008 where I was disabled. I’m ambulatory, but limited in lifting and such (three inoperable herniated discs in lower back) – I am planning moving to the Redoubt, but fear that my limited abilities will make me less than attractive or welcome to any community or preppers I may encounter. I do have manual skills in building both small items up to buildings, but cannot actually do the work. Is it worth it for me to move there? I don’t want to be perceived as a burden. I am a Christian, and have been praying on this, and the idea of trying to write you a note directly came to me, so here it is.
Thanks for reading, if you were able to. God bless you, and America. – Peter in Michigan
JWR Replies: Since you are a Christian with a strong work ethic, I can assure you that you would be much more welcomed than someone that is capable of doing heavy work, but unwilling to do any work, which sadly these days seems to me the norm.
Also rest assured that there are a lots of jobs within retreat groups that can be handled by someone with physical limitations. These include retreat security (eyes and ears at an LP/OP), communications/SIGINT gathering, et cetera.
Go ahead and make the move, and trust in God. But just be very prayerful and discerning about who you associate with, and the climate/topsoil quality/water availability of where you move. There are lots of details on those factors at my free Retreat Areas page.
And even greater detail can be found in my “Rawles on Retreats and Relocation” book. That book is now included as a bonus e-book to my blog’s complete five-year archive CD-ROM. (Available for less than $10, via digital download.) May God Bless You and Yours!