Facing unimaginable challenges, one woman's resilience shines through. Kate Cosh, a cattle farmer and single mother, faced a trifecta of hardships: divorce, a devastating drought, and a life-altering diagnosis. This is her story of survival and the unexpected support that helped her overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
After navigating the emotional turmoil of divorce and relocating, Kate found herself striving to build a sustainable farm in Queensland. But the universe seemed to conspire against her. The drought hit, and a paralysis tick decimated her livestock.
"The drought hit... then paralysis tick came in, killed all the calves, killed the horse, killed the bull, the chooks, a dog, a cat," Kate shared with 9news.com.au. This led to a period of sheer survival. As Kate explained, "All you're doing is just functioning."
It was a friend's observation, "You're not good, are you?" that prompted Kate to seek help. This led her to Farm Angels, an organization that provides crucial support to struggling farmers. A volunteer soon arrived at her doorstep, offering a listening ear and a pot of tea.
Farm Angels provided gift vouchers, enabling Kate to purchase essential tick prevention tags, groceries, and powdered milk for her surviving calves. As Kate gratefully acknowledged, "I don't know how to explain it, it took the pressure off just to survive. I was able to keep my head above water." This assistance was a lifeline, offering a brief respite from the relentless demands of farm life.
But the workload didn't relent, nor did the exhaustion. "I'm a single mum with two boys and if something needs doing, it's on me," Kate explained. "There's no one else to step in. If the fences need fixing, I fix them. If the cattle need attending to, I do it."
And this is the part most people miss... It was a sudden loss of eyesight after a grueling day of work that signaled a deeper issue. A visit to an optometrist in Kingaroy delivered a life-altering revelation. "She said, 'Have you heard of MS? I don't want to stress you out, but we have to act now, I'm going to ring a specialist'," Kate recounted.
Before she even returned home, a specialist appointment was scheduled in Brisbane for the following morning. Overwhelmed and fearful, Kate accepted, but the logistics seemed impossible. How would she get there? Who would care for her children and her farm? "I was in so much pain, I was so tired, I was so over the world, I was so frightened and I had these two little boys with me," she said. "I'm not an emotional person, really I'm not, but I tell you what, I broke down this day."
But here's where it gets controversial... The next morning, Kate's community rallied around her. A friend from Dalby offered to drive her to Brisbane, while her mother traveled seven hours from Charleville to care for her sons. At the Mater Hospital, a neurologist confirmed a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, a chronic, progressive autoimmune disease that attacks the central nervous system.
Kate underwent five days of intense steroid treatment, which restored her sight. Upon returning home, she received another call from Farm Angels, who were unaware of her diagnosis. "I was coming out of hospital, they didn't even know I had MS, they were just following up. It was at my worst stage, and they were ringing me up just to see how I was."
Since then, Kate has experienced one major relapse, temporarily losing the use of her legs, and battles neuropathy and fatigue regularly. Yet, she remains optimistic, crediting the unwavering support of her friends, family, and Farm Angels.
"I was going to fail," she admitted. "I was on that tipping edge. If (Farm Angels) hadn't done what they did, I don't think I'd be here. Since they've helped me, I've literally doubled my capacity in my cattle. And they still ring."
Farm Angels founder Tash Johnston emphasizes the immense pressure farmers face, particularly the economic strain. "There are no incremental pay rises in farming, only rising bills," Johnston stated. "That economic pressure is taking a huge toll on the mental health of farmers." She also highlighted the lack of accessible healthcare services in rural areas.
"Farmers are facing extensive waitlists, long travel distances and limited options for care. The delay can have an impact on not only farmers' mental health, but also their willingness to reach out. Too often, farmers are expected to just 'keep going'. We need to break down those barriers so that asking for help is seen as a strength. We need to remind farmers that there is support available; they are not alone."
What do you think? Do you believe enough support is available for farmers facing similar challenges? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
The Farm Angels Christmas Appeal begins on November 17.
