While some may see the loss of a leg as a disability, Anacko Ranger, 37, of Nassau Village, sees the loss of his own leg as an encouragement to work harder. If you drive along the John F. Kennedy Drive six-legged roundabout on a Sunday, you may often see Ranger cleaning and landscaping the area. Despite his lost limb, Ranger said, "I might can't do it as fast as the regular person, but I get it done."

Ranger lost his leg in 2008, while working at a local resort. He was in the hotel industry for over 10 years before his accident. He explained that at the time of his accident he was working in the engineering department. "I was doing a routine blowdown in the boiler when the iron drain slipped and the steam from the boiler went on my leg," Ranger said. "But I didn't realize at the time that I injured my leg.

"When I went to the hospital to treat one leg, I found out that both legs were exposed to some chemicals from the boiler." That would be his last day on the job. Ranger said his exposure to the boiler chemicals, as well as the diabetes he was suffering from at the time, resulted in his right leg being amputated. He was in the hospital for six months and was later given a prosthetic leg.

"Life is really what you make it," he said. "It's hard most of the time, but you really have to push." After his recovery, Ranger said he used the money he received from his settlement to buy equipment and tools to start a landscaping and general maintenance business. He said he doesn't have all the equipment he wants or needs, but he works with what he has. Ranger said he also does roofing, tiling, construction and some mechanic work. He is able to drive, using only his left leg, a self-taught skill.

Despite having a prosthetic leg, Ranger said he rarely uses it because it doesn't fit right and often hurts or irritates him. So most of his jobs are done using only his left leg. "Because I worked in the hotel for over 10 years, I always had that hands on experience doing plumbing, doing electrical, and little odd end jobs in my neighborhood," he said.

"People come to me most of the time to fix their pump, or other stuff and depending on who it is, I could fix their roof." He explained that he started working at the six-legged roundabout when his friend, Elric Collie, offered him a job while he was on a ride-along with him.

He praised Collie for giving him a chance and supporting him in his time of need.

"So much people pass that roundabout and say they appreciate it," Ranger said. "So much tourists stop and hail me and say keep it up. "All that is inspiration to me. "Knowing that is an encouragement [for me] to keep on pushing." Ranger said he doesn't like people giving him handouts because he is disabled. He said he would rather be given a job or an opportunity where he is able to earn what he receives.

"I have just always been that person that has been self reliant," he said.

"...I don't know how some people do it. "I can't be out there begging."

"That is not my thing." Ranger said he has reached out to the Christie administration to ask for assistance in getting a truck, so he would be able to get more work and possibly give some of the young men in his community an opportunity as well. However, he said after several attempts at contacting his member of Parliament, and other parliamentarians, he has yet to receive any response or assistance.

Ranger said he didn't go looking for a handout, but instead, went looking for an opportunity. When asked what is his inspiration to continue to push forward despite his challenges, he said it is his surroundings. Ranger explained that when he looks at how the people he lives around are "not ambitious and have no drive", it makes him want to work harder. He stressed the importance of being around the right kind of people who are able to encourage you, and who have ambition. "That's the drive and the encouragement," he said. "When I see the people that surround me doing good, it makes me want to work harder and push more."

Ranger offered some advice to other disabled people. "I'd really like to pass on to the majority of disabled people that you could be out there trying to get a helping hand, but if you could just get empowered, you can help yourself," he said. "You can't ever consider that your life is over because you are disabled.

"Some people get the impression that that's the end of the world, but it's not the end of the world. "Once you have life, try to empower yourself."

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