A Saint John man with cerebral palsy is achieving his dream of running a business.
Ernie Cook has been selling fresh farm eggs for a year, taking orders via text and delivering them to people in his community under the brand “The Eggman.”
Cook was born with cerebral palsy, a group of neurological disorders that affect a person’s ability to move, maintain balance and posture.
The condition is caused by abnormal brain development or damage to the developing brain. It is the most common motor disability in childhood and has no cure.
Cook also suffers from heart problems, with his heart stopping when he was born.
Cook, who cannot speak or walk due to his condition, told Acadia Broadcasting using a text-to-speech device that since then he has faced many physical challenges every day, but said he has always believed he could contribute to his community and “build something meaningful.”
“Even though my body moves differently, my mind is strong,” he said.
He added that it has long been his dream to own a business, but he did not know how to do so independently because of his physical limitations.
He explained his dream began when has nine years old, when a man who stepped into his life as a father figure, began bringing to him to work with him.
He said his egg business was born out of a desire to consume healthier eggs. Cook said he could not easily find locally sourced eggs in the city, so he began driving outside Saint John to visit local farms and buy them for himself.
“People around me began noticing the difference in the quality of the eggs I was eating and asked if I could bring them some too,” he explained. “What began as eggs for myself and my family became an opportunity to help others enjoy a natural, better-quality food.
“With time, I saw that I could turn this into a business — something that I truly enjoyed and something valuable for my community.”
Cook sources his eggs from Rothiemay Farms in Norton, just north of Saint John, and delivers them using his van.
Over the past year, Cook said his business has grown substantially. He now buys 40 trays of fresh eggs each week and sells them to two local stores, two members of the Full Gospel Church, and directly from his residence at 5 Woodhollow Park.
He has also invested in a special refrigerator to store the eggs properly so customers can purchase them safely.
Cook said the Full Gospel Church has played a significant role in his journey, allowing him to share his business with the community.
“Even though my parents are no longer with me, I continue this journey with the support and encouragement of local people, customers and friends who believe in me and in this mission,” he said.
Cook has officially registered his business, and his goal is to continue growing it to bring fresh eggs to more people in Saint John, support local farms, and “show that physical limits do not define what a person can do.”
“My body may not move as I wish, but my desire to work, create and serve my community is stronger than any limitation,” Cook said.
He added that he wants to show people that with determination, creativity and faith, anything is possible.
“I may have physical challenges, but my heart and mind work with purpose.”
