Still Building America—Don’t let anything hold you back

Welder and metal artist Jeremy Hannaford.

Earlier this year I posted a question to social media looking for responses to incorporate in my first “Playing With Fire” column for The WELDER magazine. The post basically asked, “How did you get into welding and what has kept you welding?” One of the first replies on Facebook was from a young man named Jeremy Hannaford. He was excited to share a little bit of his story for this month’s “Still Building America” feature!

JW: Could you explain what kind of work you do?

Most of the work I do is scrap metal art, but I also do some fabrication and repairs.

JW: How did you get started as a welder?

JH: I was paralyzed in 2004 and became a quadriplegic. With no hand function and three-fourths of my body not working, I thought I was doomed. After getting some independence back, I began an office job, but that business closed. I needed to get my mom a birthday gift, and I was broke. My dad had a welding machine and some junk lying around; he helped me booger together a flower… and I fell in love.

JW: How did you decide on your career path?

JH: Welding went from a hobby to a career once people started seeing my work. Lots of people love seeing something that once was junk turned into something beautiful. And just sitting and practicing welding brought me so much happiness that I had to pursue it as a career.

JW: What type of background/training do you have?

JH: My dad first gave me some quick lessons, and I spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos trying to get the motions down with my small MIG machine. But then I got my TIG machine; that was all self-taught. I can’t run a finger switch without the finger functioning, so I learned to run the pedal with my elbow as I held the torch with one hand and dabbed filler with the other. It was ugly at first, but it looks pretty damn good now.

JW: What is your favorite part of your job?

JH: Freedom. I am usually just given an idea from a customer and then set free to use my imagination to bring it to life. Seeing the look on their face once it’s finished makes it all worth it.

JW: What's your future career goal?

JH: Just expanding the work I do. I want to be able to weld anything that someone brings to me, and I hope to make a bigger name for myself.

JW: What advice would you give your peers if they wanted to find a similar path?

JH: Don’t let anything hold you back. Even if you think that it’s impossible, there is a way, if you try hard enough and work hard enough. Learn all that you can and make it your passion!

Thanks, Jeremy. Never has that final statement had more meaning than in this interview. Inspirational, to say the least.

All images courtesy of Jeremy Hannaford.

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