treading water Losing My Legs but Finding Myself
heroes in the Field Lone Star Warriors Outdoors
the Path that narrows 4-Wheeling the moab desert
the truths of the hunt Perseverance Pays off
VOLUME# 1 ISSUE# 1 JUNE/JULY 2015
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subMission Guidelines
Submission Guidelines – We are looking for full length articles and guest columns for the magazine as well as short stories for the site. And if you don’t think you are a writer or have never written anything before, that’s ok too. We can help. Just send us your story idea and we can take it from there. A column/short story will typically be 500-700 words. If you want to submit something as a column, it should bel basically your thoughts on a certain topic that fits in one of our sections. A short story can be a profile of one person or group or anything less-than a full length article of interest. Feature stories in the magazine should be in the 1,000-4,000 word range. All submissions will be edited and we will give some guidance if needed. All stories should be accompanied by photos.
activity. And be sure to take some vertical photos if you intend to submit for the magazine cover. For hunting, any photos of a harvested animal should be respectable and not offensive. We cannot use pics of kills that are excessively bloody, tongues hanging out, from the back of pickup trucks, etc. Photos of just a deer’s head, for example, will not be accepted. Take plenty of pics of you in the field, in the blind, your adaptive shooting equipment, scenery pics and action shots in addition to trophy photos. Take more pics than you think you need and at different angles and distances. Keep in mind that vertical photos make it more likely to be used for the cover. Good luck and we can’t wait to see what adventures you have been on.
Contents JUNE/JULY 2015
VOL. 1 • NO. 1
8 TREADING
Photo courtesy of Jen Armstrong Photography
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WATER
Photos Submission Guidelines – Only high resolution photos can be used in the magazine so make sure and set your camera to the highest setting. As a rule, take more pics than you think you will need, and we are looking for action shots to go with each article. Show us how you did the things you are writing about. For recreational activities, try to get photos of the different stages of the
5 OUR STORY
Treading Water Perseverance Pays Off
Heroes in the Field Lone Star Warriors Outdoors
The Path that Narrows 4-Wheeling the Moab Desert
The Truths of the Hunt VOLUME# 1 ISSUE# 1 JUNE/JULY 2015
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A young hunter hunts with Adaptive Sportsmen
ABOUT THE COVER This photo was taken on a ledge overlooking Hell Roaring Canyon in the Moab Desert region of Utah, where Sabrina Thompson embarked on a barrier-breaking five day camping and trail riding adventure.
38 PROFILE Chad Waligura, Editor
CEO/PUBLISHER Chad Waligura
WEB & MULTIMEDIA Gammon Group
AD SALES TEAM Chad Waligura // chad@ableoutdoors.net // [979] 541-4954
CO-EDITOR/WEBSITE EDITOR Dawn Ziegler
GENERAL INQUIRIES info@ableoutdoors.net [979] 541-4954
WEB SALES TEAM Dawn Ziegler // dawn@ableoutdoors.net // [608] 347-5000
DESIGN/LAYOUT Cross Timbers Marketing WRITING STAFF Ashlee Lundvall, Jordan Meekins, Jim Hardy, Sabrina SprolesThompson, Ashley Olson
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ADDRESS CHANGES 1204 Laurel Lane, El Campo, TX 77437
Able Outdoors Magazine is published three times a year by Able Outdoors, LLC., attn: Chad Waligura,1204 Laurel Lane, El Campo, Texas 77437. All rights reserved. No part of this AOM publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The publisher will not be responsible for omissions, errors, typographical errors or misinformation within this publication. When writing about your subscription, give old and new address, along with a mailing label, and allow 4-6 weeks for response. Basic subscription price for one year: three issues $27.00. Printed in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
16 Wounded Warrior
22 reCreaTion
THE PATH THAT NARROWS
THE TRUTHS OF THE HUNT
BY CHRIS GILL
BY SABRINA SPROLES-THOMPSON
BY DAWN ZIEGLER
HEROES IN THE FIELD
30 hunTing
AOM GeAR
AOM COLUMniSTS
MOUNTAIN TRIKE P. 14
JIM HARDY P. 12
JORDAN MEEKINGS P. 34
TRAC FAB CHAIR P. 20
GORDON MELTON P. 19
GEORGE BOLENDER P. 38
ACTION TRACKCHAIR P. 28
DAWN ZIEGLER P. 27
ASHLEY LYN OLSON P. 43
6 neWs 13 organiZaTion ProfiLe 36 TroPhies 44 LeTTer froM The ediTor 46 CLassifieds
40 TraVeL
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Ashlee Lundvall Ashlee Lundvall lives in Cody, Wyoming, with her husband Russ and daughter Addison. She has a degree in Public Affairs and a Masters in Biblical Counseling. She is the 2013 Ms. Wheelchair USA, a founding member of Wyoming Disabled Hunters, and a motivational speaker.
Chad Waligura Chad Waligura is from Texas and has been in the disabled hunting world for 29 years. He created the site Follow Me Outdoors and has had his writing published in approximately 10 mainstream magazines. He is the recipient of both the Pathfinder Award from Safari Club International and the Challenged Hunter of the Year Award from Buckmasters.
Dawn Ziegler Dawn Ziegler lives in Wisconsin where she earned her degree in Education. For 20 years she pursued adaptive outdoor activities and has organized events for adaptive sailing, hand cycling, kayaking, shooting and hunting. She served as editor for the Madison Spinal Cord Injury group and has had four articles published in Spokes N’ Sports and PN magazines.
Jim Hardy Jim Hardy is a semi-pro angler and the first disabled fisherman to place in the pro Bassmasters tournament. He is a fishing lure designer and a motivational speaker. In his spare time, he runs a non-profit called Outdoor Friends Forever that he founded which takes kids with disabilities hunting and fishing.
Kathy Overman Kathy Overman lives in Hayward, Wisconsin, where she raised her daughters with her husband Gerald. She has a degree in Educational Leadership and Policy. She became involved in the early years of Fishing Has No Boundaries and is currently the Executive Director of the national organization. 4
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our
Contributors
story Ashley Lyn Olson Ashley Lyn Olson is from the San Francisco Bay Area, California. Fueled by her passion to experience the world, she devotes her time evaluating, sharing and promoting accessible travel. In 2006 she founded WheelchairTraveling.com, which has become one of the leading resources on accessible travel throughout the world.
Chris Gill Chris Gill lives in Whitehouse, Texas, with his wife, Tina, and their two children. He is a retired U.S. Army vet who spent 25 years in the Army, Army National Guard and the Army Reserves before being wounded in Afghanistan. He started the Lone Star Warriors Outdoors organization to help other Wounded Warriors.
Gordon Melton Gordon Melton lives in Paducah, Texas, with his wife and 3 children. He is a 100% service-connected Disabled Veteran. He started the 501c3 non-profit Hunting with Soldiers Organization eight years ago as a way of providing mental healing to our Combat Veterans through the outdoor pursuits he loves.
Jordan Meekins Jordan Meekins lives in Albany, Oregon. He has a degree in Psychology and is finishing his Master’s Thesis. He’s an avid outdoorsman, husband, father and entrepreneur. After being injured in the Army Reserves, he’s been working on creating a non-profit called Accessing Oregon to help others conquer their disabilities in the outdoors.
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“In the 80’s, the internet was still very new so there wasn’t much to be found in the way of disabled outdoors. There’s a lot more of it today, of course, but it’s still scattered all over the place. Able Outdoors is going to solve that problem.” – Chad W.
Our journey began back in the 1990’s when a site called Follow Me Outdoors was created to chronicle some of Chad’s adventures and be an information source for anybody looking to get back outside like he was. Soon after, he started writing about other people he’d met who had varying types and degrees of abilities. He wanted to share with the world the different kinds of adaptive equipment that they used to hunt & fish. Chad was lucky enough to win an antelope hunt in New Mexico from Buckmasters where he ended up taking a nice goat in the famed Gila National Forest. When he got home, he wrote a story that got published in “Rack Magazine,” his first ever as a writer. That was the point when he thought about how much harder it would be for disabled hunters to get their stories into mainstream media, and that made it all the more important to share their explorations with others. Dawn also searched for ways to experience the outdoors post-injury. Her first encounter was with an adaptive sailing program which she ended up coordinating for a year. After that, Dawn worked with various individuals in finding or designing equipment that would make it possible for her to participate in activities like hand cycling, downhill skiing, camping, cross training, archery and paddling. Having struggled herself in finding resources and information on adaptive programs, Dawn began sharing her own trials and successes as a public speaker. Over the years, she became involved in organizing outdoor events like a hand cycling clinic, a few kayaking outings and a couple shooting workshops for women with disabilities. As she connected with more individuals, it became strikingly clear how many people with challenging circumstances were unaware of the possibilities that were available. In early 2010, Chad came across a spinal cord injury newsletter that Dawn was the editor of at the time. He asked if she would like to work on a publication with him. The answer was easy…..Yes! “In the 80’s, the internet was still very new so there wasn’t much to be found in the way of disabled outdoors. There’s a lot more of it today, of course, but it’s still scattered all over the place. Able Outdoors is going to solve that problem.” – Chad W. Able Outdoors will be a reference for the able sportsman, their family members, and the professionals working in all types of therapeutic programs. We want to show people who think they can’t that they can. To show them where to go, how to do it, who to do it with, what
equipment they’ll need and how to find it. We hope to reach those who have been lost and forgotten or been recently injured. Naturally, our goal is to inspire those people to get outside, and then come back to tell us about it so others can learn from their journeys. The Able Outdoors site and magazine will reveal the inspirational stories about physically-challenged sportsmen and women of all ages and how they’ve succeeded in the face of extreme adversity. We will focus on Hunting and Fishing of course, but we’ll also cover the entire spectrum of outdoor activities. We’ll have separate sections for Outdoor Recreation, Wounded Warriors & Travel, as well as Adaptive Equipment Reviews, Resource Listings and State Event Listings. Along with submissions from our readers, we have a small group of contributing columnists, each with unique experiences of their own to share. The Able Outdoors magazine will be published three times a year (Jan., May, & Sept.) beginning in 2015 with a special kickoff issue in June. For both the website and magazine, we welcome story ideas & submissions, info about programs and organization news & events, equipment reviews, and travel tips. This will be a growing resource we believe will make a difference, so please hop on board and contribute. AOM
Sabrina Sproles Sabrina Sproles-Thompson lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with her husband, Tim. She enjoys making time to educate and advocate for better outdoor accessibility. She has spent time as a volunteer at RVing Accessibility Group and has Co-Authored a book with author, Beth Wilson.
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news
SCI Foundation’s Pathfinder Award Pathfinder. According to the dictionary a pathfinder is one who leads the way. To Safari Club International, a pathfinder is a person who is faced with challenges in their life that causes them to find new ways to live it, to overcome those challenges to be engaged in outdoor activities. More than 20 years ago, SCI decided to recognize two outstanding disabled hunters with an annual “Pathfinder Award”. Individual SCI members and chapters sent in nominations from all over the country to compete for this prestigious award, and two winners were selected and the award is presented to them at the SCI Convention in Nevada. The Award was originally named the Special Hunter Award, but to keep from being confused with Special Olympics it was changed to Pathfinder. When the Award started out, only a plaque was given at the convention, but in 1991 after the plaque was given to a special young man who was paralyzed from the waist down from a car accident, Jan Oelofse of Oelofse Hunting Safaris stood up in the audience and said “I will give that man a free safari”. Every year since then, Oelofse Safaris has donated one of their outstanding African hunts to a pathfinder winner. After that first hunt, Jan’s comment was “I can face down a charging elephant but I can’t face up to what that boy did”. Jan passed away recently but his family has vowed to donate as long as the program is in existence. Also, this year beginning in 2015, thanks to the generosity of Stef Swanepoel of Numzaan Safaris, SCI is now able to choose two pathfinder recipients every year. The winners also receive a free trip to the National SCI Convention in order that they receive their award on stage at the Friday night banquet. In 2014, the guest speaker was Jeff Foxworthy and he was kind enough to pose backstage for pictures with our pathfinders. Both winners were presented with a trophy and an all-expense paid African Safari as well as other gifts. To be eligible, a disabled hunter must be nominated by an SCI member in good standing or an SCI chapter. Nominees may include physically-challenged hunters, wounded military personnel or veterans and terminally ill hunters. The criterion for the Award is based on not only the individual’s hunting experience but also on his or her involvement in community service. Heavy emphasis is placed on the nominee’s commitment to conservation, hunting or shooting sports and his or her participation in promoting these activities. Safari Club International (SCI) Foundation is pleased to announce the 2014 Pathfinder Award recipients Tommy Clack and Brian Gliba. Tommy and Brian were recognized at SCI’s 43rd Annual Hunters’ Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 6, 2015. Tommy Clack, from Mansfield, Georgia, attained the rank of Captain in the Army. During his tour in Vietnam in 1969, a rocket propelled grenade explosion caused him to lose three limbs, among other injuries. Not to be deterred by his injury, and over 65 surgeries, Tommy was determined to be independent. He has become an inspiration to others. He has written and published more than 500 guest columns
and has traveled as a national speaker publicly supporting hunters’ rights and the second amendment. He has given over 100 speeches each year in all 50 states and in foreign countries. Tommy shoots, hunts, and fishes year-round, and reads constantly to stay educated and current in military history and data. Brian Gliba was born in Maple Heights, Ohio and currently resides in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Brian was injured while serving in Iraq in 2005 when an IED exploded in his HUMV, breaking his neck, causing spinal and brain damage, and other injuries. Wanting to support fellow veterans, he created Project Wounded Ego, an organization that provides a “psychological photography service” for wounded veterans suffering from PTSD, where photography is used as a coping mechanism. His best bud and soul mate is his 12-year-old St. Bernard service dog, Zeus. SCI is the leader in protecting the freedom to hunt and promoting wildlife conservation world-wide. The Foundation (SCIF) funds and directs programs across the globe dedicated to wildlife conservation, humanitarian services and outdoor education. For more information about the Pathfinder Award, your local SCI chapter or how to join SCI, go to www.SafariClub.org, safariclubfoundation.org or call 520-620-1220. AOM
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The proudest moment of my life, second only to the birth of my daughter Skyla, was graduating from Army Basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. In July 2002, my parents flew all the way from Oregon to watch me graduate with Echo Company of the 2-13th infantry battalion on a ridiculously humid day. Tears fogged their eyes as I stepped in cadence, under the Carolina hot sun, in formation. My fellow soldiers and I marched across the graduation field wearing our perfectly pressed class-A uniforms. At 20 years old, I felt invincible and full of pride for making my childhood dream of becoming a soldier a reality.
Treading water By Jordan D Meekins
losing my legs but finding myself Seeing a need to help other challenged sportsmen & women get outdoors, Jordan created Accessing Oregon.
U
nfortunately, sometimes life issues its own orders. Not two years later, I found myself at the lowest point of my life, lying in a hospital bed after a back-shattering motorcycle accident. On June 19, I’d been riding my brother’s cherry-red Kawasaki Zypher when I met fate at the hands of a 19-year-old kid pulling an illegal U-turn directly in At the hospital, I was front of my bike. The result: kept unconscious for I smashed the bike, crushed my L-1 vertebrae, broke six three days while a ribs, collapsed both lungs neurosurgeon pieced and earned an arm and face full of road rash. Struggling my shattered spine to breathe, I nearly died right back together. there waiting for paramedics to arrive. When they did, the sight of the massive needles they intended to use on me to re-inflate my lungs made me wish I had. Two paramedics positioned themselves, acquired insertion points using their gloved fingers to find gaps between my broken ribs, and with both hands shoved the needles into my chest. I felt the relief of air filling my lungs with precious air, then passed out cold. I left that scene a paraplegic. At the hospital, I was kept unconscious for three days while a neurosurgeon pieced my shattered spine back together. He
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performed two major surgeries on me, one to replace my L-1 vertebrae with a floating rib and titanium plate, and another to shore things up with a 12-inch pair of Harrington rods and ten bolts. When I finally woke up, nobody talked about the fact that I was paralyzed, except for that one ill-mannered RN who told me to never think about walking again, but it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that my legs didn’t work. Nevertheless, the realization hit me hard. It led to many other realizations, each shattering my existence a little bit more. I’d lost my legs, my military career, and most importantly, the ability to stomp through the Douglas fir-laden hills of Oregon. I felt like I was falling and there was nothing I could do to stop it. “I’ll never walk my daughter down the aisle. I’ll never snowboard again. No more mountain biking, hunting, fishing… I’ll never be the same…” were the truths I stewed over at night. One day while I was flat on my back in bed staring at the grey ceiling of my hospital room, listening to the morphine drip and watching the yellow “banana bag” slowly seep nourishment into my veins, I thought ‘Why me, God? What the hell did I do to deserve this?’ Violently, something inside me snapped and I remember thinking ‘Get up you whuss! You’re going to spend the rest of your life wondering “Why Me?” if you don’t get your pansy ass up and out of bed.’ With that thought pushing me, I decided to get busy moving forward.
That day I told Dan, my physical therapist (or physical terrorist I fondly called him) that I wanted the hell out of this place. With a devilish smile, Dan put me to work, and I was discharged from Sacred Heart Medical Center two days short of two months. On our last day of therapy Dan handed me a copy of Lance Armstrong’s autobiography; It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life. Armstrong’s book inspired me. It reaffirmed my will to never give up. Lance has since become one of my heroes and I hope to meet him one day so I can thank him for sharing a story that helped lift me out of my own darkest days. I will forever be indebted to my five brothers, my sister, my daughter, my nieces & nephews and everybody else who treated me the same way as they had before my accident. In the hospital, they never cried in front of me or I in front of them. They were always upbeat amid my looming despair. Together, we endured. Sometimes they made me laugh as if Johnny Carson were doing stand up in the room. That made life easier for me. My oldest brother Toby began telling this story he called “the double doe massacre” which starred yours truly shooting a doe and her yearling at the same time. Unfortunately, it was a true story of hunting back when we were kids on the farm. Every time he told it, though, I seemed to come out worse and worse which of course made the audience that much more entertained. I skipped most of my senior year of high school so I could explore the forests in and around the town of Albany in the Cascade Mountains of Oregon. My friend Bryan and I went through nearly two thousand rounds of .22 ammo a week, target shooting and hunting for small game like rabbits and squirrels. Cutting school at noon, we’d jump in my maroon vinyl-top Dodge Dart, grab cigars, Mountain Dew and our Ruger 10-22’s. We trespassed anywhere we could, never harming anything except pop bottles and our intended prey. Well, once we started a logging dozer and flattened some dead trees and
then couldn’t turn the darn thing off again, but that’s another story. We were responsible most of the time, trekking through BLM land, public forests and private logging operations, sometimes finding a gravel quarry to make a shooting range out of. We learned all we could about life in the mountains. In June 2000, Bryan and I somehow we managed to graduate from West Albany High and I went to work at a commercial bee farm. My brothers and I spent every summer there working to pay for our cars and outdoor escapades. Upon graduation, the owner, Dirk, would offer seasonal workers a full-time position provided that you worked well and he liked you. The pay was decent, and if you could handle constant bee stings and the tight-fisted shenanigans of Dirk, it wasn’t a bad job at all. It was on this farm that I was introduced to trapping, hunting and fishing at an obsessive level. Dirk had hunted in Oregon since he was eight years old, successfully harvesting dozens of Blacktail deer and other big game. He also trapped fur-bearing animals along the many sloughs of the Willamette Valley’s spider-web of rivers, making enough money to pay his way through college. On the bee farm, he raised skunks, raccoons, and trained multiple breeds of hunting dogs. Dirk spent as much time hunting in the off season as he did working during the height of the summer. Yes sir, he was my idol! My brother Toby and I, who both landed full time positions, found a love for the outdoors and the hunt through our exposure to Dirk. Who knew that his effect on us would come back to bite him? One day, while sifting through the belongings of Dirk’s recently deceased father, Toby and I found an old black jig in a pile of forgotten lures. Dirk said his father used to fish for largemouth bass with it when he was a child and he told us to take it out and give it a try on the lake behind his house. “It was a killer, back in the day,” Dirk boasted, “I saw him pull in many a fat females with that jig.” ableoutdoors.nEt
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Treading Water
That day fishing with my brother proved to me that anything in life was adaptable.
Left – A “smallie” I caught during a 30 mile canoe trip on the emerald-green water of the Willamette River Below – Using my Mountain Trike to fish for trout in Yellowstone National Park. To see more info on the Trike, go to page 14.
The next day, Toby and I launched our 12-foot aluminum boat before work and with the black jig hung a five pound bucketmouthed bass. It was small by California standards, only half the size of the Oregon State record, but we were hooked! From then on, Toby and I went fishing every moment we could spare, and on any body of water that produced bass. We were addicts, always trying to outcatch each other. Much to Dirk’s chagrin, Toby and I were never on time for work again during fishing season. After two more seasons on the farm, I left to join the Army. I took my new love for fishing with me. Then the accident changed my life forever… or so I thought. Tim, my sales rep said, “I don’t know if insurance will pay, but I’ll submit it. You’re sure you want that color?” I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Absolutely.” Five months later, a neon-green, knobby-tired, off-road Quickie wheelchair was delivered to my front door. It was the personification of my will, of defiance towards being “disabled”. Cognizant of what that chair represented, my loved ones watched in horror every time I pushed it to its limits. The most difficult part for them was learning to stand back and watch without rushing over to help me. My first attempts up and down curbs left priceless looks of angst on their faces as I “perfected” some new skills, sometimes falling out of the chair onto the pavement. I was determined to become independent though, even at the cost of bruised elbows and gasps from onlookers. My brothers learned quickly not to open doors or assemble chair parts without me asking them first, because a man in a wheelchair can bruise femurs with precision when not listened to. One day, when I was visibly frustrated about being stuck inside, Toby came over and asked if I wanted to go bass fishing. I nearly screamed “YYYYEEESS!” at him before he could get the words out. I instantly wondered “How?” too. There wasn’t any shore access around here, 10
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and I didn’t think my chair would fit in the tiny boat we had. “Already thought of that,” Toby shot back. He stood up from his kitchen seat, briskly walked out to his black Ford pickup, grabbed something out of the bed and came back up the ramp. He then unfolded an 80’s era rainbow colored lawn chair, setting it on the ground in front of me and said, “Viola!” I wasn’t crazy about the color scheme, even less enthused about transferring into it while in a boat, but I said, “What the hell. Why not? You still float don’t you?” With a grin on his face, Toby said, “Don’t worry, I’ll strap it down so if it flips over and you drown, we can find your body.” We made plans to go the next morning. Dirk was gracious enough to lend us his OD-green, flat-bottom aluminum jon-boat and we set off from his lakefront backyard. It was a sharp, cool dawn as the sun began to light the tips of the massive black-green mountains looming around us. Overcoming my fears of transferring into a boat, I wheeled down the dock and swung myself into the raggedy lawn chair that was affixed atop the metal bench seat. We locked the brakes on my Quickie and left it sitting on the dock as the 5-horse motor pushed us away into the pond. I started feeling nostalgic as I watched familiar scenes approach our little boat. The first stop was a low hanging willow tree stretching 20 feet over the cobalt-blue water. As I grabbed my ugly stick, my heart remembered the thrill of catching some of those fat-bellied bass that lurked below. I skipped a red sparkled Denny Brauer flipping tube deep underneath the tarantula like branches. Toby rigged his hook with a grass-green Senko worm and cast it under the tree as well. “I bet I out catch you like usual.” he said. Laughing out loud I replied, “You’re on, boy.” The first tree was unproductive, same as our second stop, but when we pulled up to the edge of some lily pads our luck changed. I tossed my bait right to the edge of the pads, about two inches short of
landing on one. “Nice shot,” Toby said, acting surprised. “I was always a better with a rod in my hands,” I fired back. Smiling, my brother blurted out, “You see that!” As the words barely escaped his lips, I looked up and saw my line start to creep parallel to the boat. My adrenaline surged as I waited for a second to make sure it was moving on its own. “Set the hook!” Toby whispered excitedly. I lunged backwards into the chair, pulling the rod to my chest hard. My line took off into the submerged vegetation. Cinching down the drag and stopping the whine of line coming off of my reel, I fought what felt like a monster. After about 30 seconds, I had a lean male to the edge of the boat. Leaning carefully forward, as I was still getting used to my “new” chair, I snagged the green beauty by the white bottom lip and hoisted it from the water. I turned to look at Toby, realizing he was laughing hysterically. In my eagerness to set the hook, I almost capsized the boat for a twopound bass. He slapped me on the back, “It’s good to see you still have your hook set,” he said sarcastically. A few crass words later, we were both laughing as I released the fish. That day fishing with my brother proved to me that anything in life was adaptable. Since then, I have ridden snowmobiles, modified quad-runners using a fire poker as a shifter, learned to swim, kayaked rivers and camped on sand bars (the Willamette river has great smallmouth fishing along its banks). I’ve also mounted light-armored strikers with the 1-38th light-infantry Charlie Company at Fort Lewis (Hooah boys!) I’ve shot machine-guns, camped for weeks at a time and left tread marks over some of the state’s toughest terrain. Yes, life for me has changed dramatically from those first days of “being disabled” to now. My beautiful eight-year-old daughter is now hooked on fishing just like I am. We travel to Clear Lake in the Cascades every summer to camp and catch our daily limit of trout. A few years ago, my other brother Joe and I tagged along with some friends on a catfish excursion to the Snake River on Oregon’s eastern
border. Our gracious hosts caught fish one after another while Joe and I struggled to hang even one. At around 2:00pm, we pulled up to the bank so Joe, Jimmy and Jimmy’s father could take a short break. I stayed in the boat with my bait far out in the current, and finally felt a tug at my line. I shouted, “Got one!” as I reared back and set the hook. Everyone came running back to the boat just in time to watch me to pull in my catch. I couldn’t see my fish over the side of the boat as Joe waded out to snag it for me. Laughing heartily, he hoisted a freshly caught black tube sock proudly into the air. Everyone roared! I knew I’d never hear the end of that one. It has since replaced the “double doe massacre” story as favorite among my brothers. Since the wreck, I have gone back to school and will graduate from Oregon State University this year, exactly eight years after my accident. They have been rough years, full of highs and lows like anyone else’s, but they’ve taught me more about myself as a disabled man than I could’ve learned in an able-bodied lifetime. Now I find myself looking forward again to what the future will bring. I know it’ll involve a lot of fishing. AOM ableoutdoors.net
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Columnist
orGaniZation ProFile
JiM hardy I simply love fishing. I also love to compete, and after my injury I didn’t want it to stop me from what I really wanted to do.
I guess to open my column writing career, it would be a great time to share a little info about myself and my love for fishing. First of all, I have a T8 complete spinal cord injury, so I really didn’t have the need to adapt much of my fishing equipment. I have, however, developed a few unique things that give me an advantage on the water that I will cover in future articles. I’ve loved fishing ever since I was old enough to remember. My grandfather started me out. He taught me the basics of cork & hook fishing when I was just a little boy, and it didn’t take long to learn that when it goes under you had a bite. There’s something magical about that pull on the other end of a pole that makes people all over the world get excited. I still get excited when it happens. I’ve been digging worms and catching bream since I was a kid, and now as an adult I fish in major tournaments against some of the best fisherman in the world. I currently live in Alabama, and to be able to fish on the circuit you need to have sponsors, which luckily I do.
I’ve also designed lures that I’ve had patented and named after me, as well as special lure colors that I’ve come up with. As a pro bass fisherman, I’ve spent many years traveling from state to state, all across the United States. It can get to be a grind sometimes, but I keep doing it because I simply love fishing. I also love to compete, and after my injury I didn’t want it to stop me from what I really wanted to do. All of my travels have given me a wealth of experience and knowledge of this great sport that I’m willing to share with anyone wanting to listen. Like, how I got started, what it takes to get on the circuit, or simply how to catch more fish. Feel free to ask me anything. (Any questions for me can be sent as a message to the editor through the website www.ableoutdoors.net.) Most times when I go out, I’ll have about 15 rods & reels with me, each with a different setup so I can be ready to catch fish in any condition the water may present to me. I’ve come a long way from that first hook & bobber rig. I can promise you that anyone reading this can be a good fisherman (or woman), and it doesn’t take much knowledge at all to get started, and none at all to enjoy. But it also can be done on an advanced level where you learn something each time out, about the fish you’re after or the conditions affecting them like weather and water. Hopefully as you gain know-how that you’ll go from catching a few fish to reeling in tons of them, and in later articles I hope to share some of my secrets with you that will help you on your way to becoming a better fisherman. I’ll close with this quote, “Every pro was once an amateur, every expert was once a beginner, so dream big and get started now to becoming a better fisherman!” AOM
The Affordable PowerFish,N Reel Brings Total
Fishing Enjoyment to all Adaptive Anglers Fully electric operation with the push of the trigger
Strong, Quiet, Powerful Electric Reel will easily land your catch up to 10Lbs
Visit our website:
www.powerfishn.com
for detailed information, demonstration videos, and to place your order. http://www.fhnbinc.org 12
ABLE OUTDOORS
able outdoors
“Most of us think that going fishing is as easy as a walk to the lake. For 56 million Americans, it’s not that simple.” – FHNB
the 28 year road By Kathy Overman I was asked not long ago about how Fishing Has No Boundaries was started way back when. It wasn’t hard to answer that question as I remember those early days like they were yesterday. A well known fishing guide named Bobby Cammack lived in the Hayward area of Wisconsin and worked on the Chippewa Flowage. He started talking with friends and colleages about an experience he’d had which had given him the idea of sharing fishing with people with disabilities. In the early 80’s, Bobby suffered a medical issue with his leg that prevented him from getting in and out of his boat without extreme difficulty. It affected his livelyhood and made him even more aware of what life is like when one of your passions is taken away. That experience opened Bobby’s eyes to the needs of some of his past clients who could no longer fish because they couldn’t get on the water like they used to for various reasons. In 1986, Bobby started reaching out to friends because he wanted to organize a fishing event for those who needed a helping hand to get back on the water. After two years of working together, a dedicated group of volunteers came together on the shores of the Chippewa Flowage to hold our first event in May of ‘88. FHNB came to be that day. We hosted approximately 80 disabled individuals from seven different states. That first event brought with it an opportunity for us to share our great love of fishing, and for each of the participants a change from disabled person to angler. We all had a chance to share a few days and many more smiles on the ledgendary Chippewa Flowage. The weekend was a great time but was over far too fast. The desire to help challenged individuals get out fishing never stopped, though, and the memories created only built a base for us to look forward to organizing future events.
Above - This young man had the thrill of his life reeling in this big king salmon at a FHNB-Milwaukee Chapter event on Lake Michigan in 2010.
Two years later, we started to add chapters across the country and the passion of people caring enough to make a difference in someone else’s life spread. Our mission spread too. We want to bring together the hearts and souls of people to share in a special day on the water that allows us all to become better people somehow, to heal, to challenge ourselves, and to conquer goals. After all these years we are still sharing our love of fishing just like we did on that first event. Many wonderful friends have come and gone, but never has anyone said that it wasn’t worth their time. I’m still amazed by the generous giving of our volunteers. They are the ones who have made a real difference in this world, and to our courageous anglers who wouldn’t let their disabilities stop them from getting back on the water where they belong. I believe we’ve all made each other better. Today, we have grown into a National Organization with 27 Chapters in 13 states and more evolving every year! Through education, training and utilizing a growing collection of adaptive angling equipment, FHNB continues to reach thousands of individuals with different abilities. For more information about the many events we offer, to find a chapter in your area, or to contribute to our mission, visit our site at www.fhnbinc.org or contact us at 800-243-3462. We look forward to hearing from you and hopefully we’ll get to meet someday in the great outdoors! AOM
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able outdoors
Gear
total Weight of trike
20kg
mountain Bike Wheel size
24 in
seat angle
20O
seat lap Belt
NC
drive system
Man.
The Mountain Trike is a masterful blend of unique innovation lever drive system and high specification mountain bike technology, which provides wheelchair users with far greater freedom and independence than ever before to travel off the beaten track. It enables users to safely access areas of countryside or urban terrain previously difficult, uncomfortable or simply impossible in a standard wheelchair. www.spokesnmotion.com
Mountain trike
the all terrain WheelChair This is one of the newest offroad chair products to hit the market for manual wheelchair users. Driven by gears and levers, it is built for conquering rough terrain and engages an entirely different set of muscles to operate. The Mountain Trike is a manual all-terrain wheelchair which enables wheelchair users to travel over any terrain independently in comfort and safety. The innovative lever drive allows the rider to manually power the chair over roots and gravel, through mud, sand and snow with ease leaving the user with clean, dry hands. A unique direct steering system gives the rider excellent control when riding downhill and even allowing one handed use. The independent air suspension enables travel over rough and uneven ground in comfort and safety and hydraulic disc brakes give all weather control. The Mountain Trike is a true all terrain wheelchair that is off road capable and practical for everyday use and offers inclusive access to outdoor activities for people of all abilities. All Mountain Trikes are custom built, come with a 3 year warranty and choice of any color. The Mountain Trike Company believes in access for everyone and manufactures all-terrain manual wheelchairs. Each chair is designed 14
ABLE OUTDOORS
using a masterful blend of unique innovation and drive system with high specification mountain bike technology. Their wheelchairs provide users with far greater freedom and independence than ever before to travel off the beaten track – trips to the park, woodland trails, mud, snow, sand, cobbles and even mountains! No other manual wheelchair provides comparable high level of maneuverability and uneven surface performance, practicality, comfort and safety. Despite deep mud and wet ground, the unique lever drive and steering system means your hands stay clean and dry. The Mountain Trike Company currently distributes and sells direct to customers worldwide from their UK business and a number of distributors also operate worldwide, including the United States. All Trikes are custom built and come with a 3 year warranty, choice of frame colour, adjustable frame, footrest and seat. Find your ride and take yourself further… For more information on the Mountain Trike range: Web: www.mountaintrike.com To get in touch with the US distributor - Paul Speight – 303-9220605 - info@spokesnmotion.com – Lakewood, CO ableoutdoors.nEt
15
WOUnDeD WARRiORS
AOM
It was December 11th 2014, and Lone Star Warriors Outdoors was flying in 15 warriors to San Angelo, Texas, for a hunt. These were 15 great guys who had sacrificed mind, body and soul for their country, but this story will put the spotlight on one individual, United States Army Jose Hernandez Martinez.
Heroes in the Field By Chris Gill
“I wanted to help but at the same time I didn’t need to dote on him.” – Chris Gill
B
ack in May of 2011, I helped found LSWO, mainly because I believed in giving other guys the opportunity to heal mentally and physically in the outdoors the same as I had. I felt I should pay it forward. We are based in Whitehouse, Tx., which is a small town east ...in order to hunt we of Dallas, and last year we put had to teach him to on about 10 events. We’re always looking to expand shoot with his left though. arm and left eye. This particular hunt was a scheduled 4-day trip, set to begin on Thursday afternoon when the soldiers arrived. We had a welcoming banquet that night and sighted in weapons the following morning to get ready to hunt. We were going to be spread out over 5 different ranches and the weather was supposed to be perfect for hunting. All systems go!
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Prior to the hunt, I talked to Jose a few times on the phone. I knew he was a triple amputee, losing both legs and his right arm to a buried mine, and he probably thought I was crazy because I kept calling and hounding him about what he might need for the hunt. He kept telling me “nothing special,” but for some reason that never satisfied my desire to be prepared. He even sent me a video of himself WALKING two miles on a tread mill to prove he could handle the terrain. It was one of the most inspirational things I’d ever seen. When Jose arrived at the airport in San Angelo, I wanted to make sure he had everything on this hunt to make it the best for him, but in true selfless fashion, he wanted me to just leave him alone and treat him as I would anyone else. To my surprise, when Jose got off the plane, he walked to the terminal gate. Jose lost his right leg up into his hip so he has to strap his prosthetic around his waist. As I had only dealt with one other triple amputee before him, I was a little unsure of what to do. I wanted to help but at the same time I didn’t need to dote on him. I eventually made up my mind that if he needed help he would ask, but that didn’t last very long. I took charge and said “Sit back soldier, I’m getting you there faster.” I grabbed his chair and pushed him as fast as I could. I think he enjoyed it too, well he said he did anyway. Fast-forward a few days and Jose told me that he NEVER takes his legs off in front of people, ever, but by the time our weekend was over I was finding them in all sorts of strange places, like by the fire pit. I knew then that what we were doing was the right thing, which
is exactly the reason we started LSWO. But we’ll get more into that later. Jose is one of those guys that you don’t find often, not because of his injuries, but because of his spirit. Nothing was going to stop him, nothing at all. I’m the kind of person that likes to touch, make a joke, grab you and laugh, but Jose is kinda the opposite (when the hunt was over he told me all this.) After a few days of me pushing him around in his chair because the terrain was not conducive to walking, though, he got used to me and I to him. I’d say something and rub his head just for fun. On the ride back to the airport Jose said, “I usually don’t like people touching me, but you rubbing my head made me feel like family,” and that’s what he is now, family. During my weekend with Jose, I found out several things about him that I didn’t know. When I first saw him, I noticed the tattoos on him, on his neck and arms. It turns out that Jose was a former Los Angeles gang member. He finally decided to turn his life around and joined the Army only to get deployed and step on a mine. For most people, the story would stop here, but for him it was only beginning. He shared with me that until recently he was on something like 50 pills a day and was just sitting at home getting fat, and that was not who he wanted to be. He finally flushed all those pills and got off all meds so that he could live his life the way he wanted to, not the way his doctors wanted him to. Jose was right handed and right eye dominant, so in order to hunt we had to teach him to shoot with his left arm and left eye. We worked with him for about 30 minutes until he got more comfortable doing it that way. After a few fun hunts in the blind without seeing much, we finally saw the buck we were looking for when Jose was hunting with guide Justin Lang and a camera-man. It was a big mature 8 point, and nobody knew it but Jose was having a classic case of buck fever. (When I watched the video that night you could see him shaking.)
After about 20 minutes of watching, the buck finally got in a good position and Justin gave Jose the green light to shoot. He concentrated hard on that buck, watching every move in the scope and telling us about what he was seeing. He seemed calm and collected at that point, but in reality that was far from the case. Finally the buck stopped, presenting Jose with the perfect shot and BANG… he didn’t miss. Jose pulled the trigger and to all of our delight the buck dropped in its tracks. Right down! “Hell Yeah!”
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Wounded Warriors
Columnist
AOM
Gordon Melton - H.W.S. He yelled immediately after making the shot. At that point everybody knew that he wasn’t as calm, cool and collected as he appeared to be. Jose was so amped up that he was shaking uncontrollably. His left leg, the one amputated above the knee, was shaking like a dog’s tail. It was so bad that the blind was shaking too. He wasn’t fooling anyone anymore. When we showed all the guys his video that night, Jose laughed when he saw the footage, the guide laughed, I laughed, the whole camp laughed when we saw the footage. Not because of the way he looked, but because the video showed the raw emotion of a guy who thought he’d never be able to do something like this, a guy who had never hunted before but got his first deer when he thought he was so different than everyone else. The thing about Jose is that he isn’t different at all. He’s still him, just maybe a little lighter! Jose told me he wants to start working toward accomplishing as many of the goals he had when he had 4 limbs; he wants to reach them with 1 now. If you ever talk to him, you’ll believe that he’ll do it too, just as I do. He’s always upbeat, positive and determined. Jose made a decision that weekend that I think will affect his life and many others. He decided he wants to be a motivational speaker. He has the story to touch a lot of lives, to get people on the right track, show them that disabled or not, life is what you make of it. He’s already done so much during his short 28 years here that I have no doubts he’ll do it. Jose, thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet you, for affecting me and all those you came in contact with. Thank you for serving others when you could’ve stayed at home feeling sorry for yourself and motivating us to be better people. You, Jose Martinez, are a true hero! AOM
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www.photoability.net 18
ABLE OUTDOORS
able outdoors
After I became 100% disabled, I dreamt of one day being able to take soldiers and disabled veterans hunting like I did and getting them back in the outdoors.
Hi everybody. My name is Gordon Melton. I’m 42 years old, was born in Baytown, Texas, and when I was 6 years old, my Dad was in an explosion at the plant he was working in so he decided to move us to Huntington (just outside of Lufkin). That’s where I was raised, spending the best part of my childhood there in the outdoors. I loved the woods and would sneak out to a creek that lay across the field from our house to meet my friends and cut the bottom of vines off to make ropes so we could swing out over the water and jump in. Those were some of the best times of my life. I’ve been hunting since I can remember. My dad started taking me with him when I was a little boy. We’d sit against a tree that he’d pick out and the deal was, if I saw a deer, I would tap him on the shoulder and he would shoot it. My best memory of those times with dad was when he shot a nice 8 point buck one day. The buck ran a few yards and dropped, and in my excitement I ran right up to it, but when I squatted down next to it, the buck started to get back up! Dad got a great laugh out of that one. To this day, he says I was moving outta there faster than that deer. I also love to fish, been going since I was old enough to walk. In fact, I can’t remember too many times when I wasn’t fishing, except when I was hunting. After I graduated high school, I looked for a job for about a month. Since I couldn’t find the one I wanted, I went to the Air Force Recruiter’s office and signed up. Then I went directly home and told my mom and dad. Needless to say, mom wasn’t too pleased, but dad was ok. He’d been in the Air Force as was my older brother Wes. After waiting a year, I went to basic in San Antonio and was then stationed in Abilene, TX. There I was a “Pavements & Heavy Equipment” operator and I loved my job. In ’91, I met the most amazing woman I had ever known, Cindy. She had a beautiful little girl who I fell in love with before I did Cindy. It didn’t take long for me to ask her to marry me. She said yes and we
were set to get married in March of 1992. After I found out that I was scheduled to go to Iraq before our wedding, I told Cindy that I didn’t want to take the chance of losing her and asked if she would marry me right then. Again, she said yes. Before I got shipped out, I hurt my back in an accident with some pipe. I wound up getting out of the Air Force that August, honorably discharged. After a short stint working for Temple Inland in nearby Diboll, I grabbed an opportunity to go to guard school so I moved to Paducah and went to work for the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice. All the while I had been going to the VA in Amarillo because of my back. They gave me a 30% disabled rating, and after many years of going through intense pain and losing feeling in my legs, I decided to go see another back doctor. That doc gave me two choices: have back surgery or go paralyzed. Naturally, I chose surgery. In May of 2004, I received my 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA and retired from the state. During all this, I adopted my oldest daughter, Emmalee, and Cindy and I were blessed with a son, Nathan, and another daughter, Brittany. All of my children have grown up in the outdoors and we get out together as much as we can. Nathan killed his first deer at age 7, and my daughters love to shoot but don’t particularly like to shoot animals. After I became 100% disabled, I dreamt of one day being able to take soldiers and disabled veterans hunting like I did and getting them back in the outdoors. Not long after, I started helping out a WWII veteran that I knew and in 2007, was then given the permission to use his property for my new Hunting with Soldiers program. That was the beginning. Our first disabled vet was a great guy named Thomas Columbrito. I’ll never forget him. The Program has grown from there. We now have hosted many wounded soldiers here and have gained much more property to hunt. In 2009, I was able to buy a house across from my home so we could have a place for our guests to stay. If a wheelchair bound veteran comes to hunt, we will put them up in a hotel. All of our hunts are done at absolutely no charge to the soldiers. We feel that they have given enough in blood, sweat, and tears. We are now working on taking the children of KIA soldiers hunting as well because they need the mental healing that getting into the outdoors gives as well. Our program is for mental healing you see. The VA, from my experience, gives us medicine for our wounds. We feel that getting back into the outdoors is medicine for our souls. We call it outdoor meds. I feel that money does not make you rich, just wealthy. It’s the feeling you get in your heart when you help others that makes you rich. Many people don’t understand that many soldiers and vet don’t always have visible wounds either. The things they have witnessed often leave mental scars. Hunting with Soldiers helps those scars heal too. There is NOTHING better than sitting with a soldier and watching the pain melt away and fill with excitement when the game they’re hunting walks out. There is no amount of money that can buy that. You will never understand that feeling unless you have witnessed it yourself. Can’t wait to see you in the woods! AOM ableoutdoors.net
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able outdoors
Gear
traC Fab Chair
a note from ZaCh franKenBurG – oPerations direCtor
Firstly, our name - TracFab... many ask us why the name Trac-Fab? And our response lies in our design. We do not mass-produce or have a cookie-cutter design. When we build a unit, obviously it’s built with the same design in mind, but when fabrication is necessary, like footrest alterations, armrest alterations, seating alterations and so forth, we do it. Basically, the user has the ability to make sure all of their needs are met with our design. Not only that, but it allows the user to not feel inhibited by the standards of what the wheelchair or power chair industry has to offer. For example, if a user needs adjustable armrests that are more narrow or more wide, we can make it work. Our fabricators are amazingly gifted. They’ve never had a fabricating request they couldn’t figure out, within We are the only reason of course. manufacturer with a Now, beyond the name, we as a company have built-in, mechanical worked with many Veterans seat suspension. organizations and civilian groups that have raised money to donate these units to deserving individuals. As of February of 2015, we have more than 300 units in the U.S. and Europe, and one in New Zealand. We’ve had our units put to the test by independent third party engineering firms that put our TracFab in the same arena as all of our competitors. We came out on top - every single time. But we don’t expect you to take our word for it, we want you to put our unit to the test yourself. We don’t have an advertising campaign or budget for that matter. We rely solely on our quality and word of mouth to reach potential customers. We are the only manufacturer with a built-in, mechanical seat
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suspension. Many able-bodied folks hear that and think “so what,” but for our clientele, especially the ones with traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, this seat suspension is absolutely crucial. These units are off road vehicles, so right there it makes the ride a rough one. But when you attach the seat directly to the main frame of the body, it can amplify and make these impacts and vibrations seem much worse than they are. That’s where the seat suspension comes into play. It significantly dampens the impacts and vibrations felt by the obstacles and the ribs on the tracks. This suspension is fully adjustable to the users weight load and allows the user to feel a fraction of the impacts that they would normally feel. We are one of the few manufacturers who offer a fully adjustable lumbar supporting seat. These seats are also highly critical to those with spinal cord injuries. I’ve seen some others on the market that only offer a boat-style seat with a void between the seat back and seat bottom. We know that style can present problems. We thoroughly enjoy being able to offer a variety of seats for our customers based on their needs and comfort preference. We have developed a way to offer Lithium-ion batteries in our units. These batteries give the user roughly 3-5 more miles of range per use,
and are good for approximately 4 times the lifespan of the standard AGM batteries that we also offer. The AGM batteries are tried and true, we are thoroughly pleased with the durability, user friendliness, and overall performance from them. But we also enjoy being able to offer customers the choice to upgrade and go out even further than they thought possible. One product perk that can be overlooked often also is the overall height of our tracks. If you compare our track shape and the height, it’s significantly lower than other track-driven chairs that have more of a triangle shape. This was designed to make it easier to transfer in and out of our chair. When the track height is high, it adds several inches that the user has to overcome to get themselves into the seat if transferring from the side. Also, both armrests flip up which allows a free path for the transfer. The lower track height also allowed us to develop the industry’s first 30-inch wide tracked powerchair. It offers users the ability to go from the woods, into their accessible van, then into their home if they so choose. It’s truly a revolutionary design and has become a popular seller the past year. The 30-inch frames have been designed and engineered to hold the same performance and safety characteristics as the 36 inch frame. However, when it comes to side-inclines, we cannot change the laws of physics and thus the 36 inch would be the more stable unit for side-incline hills specifically. Furthermore, all of our components for the main frame are located and attached to the bottom. This allows the COG to be as low as possible to allow for a stable ride and total control on all terrains. Our units are chain-drive instead of direct drive. We went with this due to the success and durability of the same mechanism in dirtbikes and ATV’s. Plus it allows us to adjust gear ratios as necessary based on the weight load of the user to max out their range and efficiency on the batteries. By doing this, both tracks operate independently from each other. When you hold the joystick to the 3 o’clock, or 9 o’clock position, one track will spin forward while the other spins backwards - this is present on both models. So you can literally turn on a dime. We offer a medical grade, full color LCD screen joystick. These joysticks are significantly better than our old offering, and leaps above the competition. It’s pre-programmed to handle rough terrain, and it operates on a delay so that if a user doesn’t have the best tactile feeling, the joystick will not jerk them around unexpectedly. Now myself, I graduated with a degree in Safety management. For my application that mainly constituted construction safety, however they teach you a plethora of information that can be applied to all facets of life and work. I stand 100% behind the safety of these machines and as long as the user maintains an appropriate level of care during use, they will never be harmed. Wheelie bars in the back prevent tipping rearwards, the units COG is so low you’d have to be one crazy person to get this on a terrain that it tips over the side. And the footrest frame on the front prevents tipping forward.
Weight
385 lbs
seat height
24in
seat Width
19.5in
overall Width
30-36in
overall length
58in
turning radius
Zeroº
Made in usa
Safety is paramount. I would never mention how strongly I felt about it unless I was totally convinced that these machines factored user safety into the design. AOM
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ReCReATiOn AOM “We planned for a year. We packed for two weeks. We made lists and checked them twice as we prepared for one of the biggest adventures in our 10 years together.”
The Path that
narrows
By Sabrina Sproles-Thompson
4-Wheeling the moab desert Sabrina making remote camping accessible in the Moab desert.
F
or some people, reflection on a powerful sermon revives and uplifts the spirit, lending to a new perspective on the challenges posed by life’s circumstances. For me, however, that revelation often comes from being immersed in the outdoors, away from civilization and unprotected by the luxuries of home. In October 2013 I had one of those powerful outdoor experiences as we traveled along the Colorado River, down into the canyons of the Lone Mesa, and took refuge on the rocky landscapes of the beautiful Moab Desert in Utah. It was a trip my husband, Tim, had been on many times with the guys, but this was my turn. Four wheeling and remote camping is what it’s all about in Moab, and Tim promised me an adventure of a lifetime... but it turned out to be so much more! PREPARING FOR THE TRIP… Over the years we’ve discussed how to take on a five-day camping trip in the rugged terrain of the Moab Desert. I am an independent T-10 paraplegic, but I’ve never been out in the elements before where there were no restrooms, running water, or electricity. The challenges all centered on being able to get around camp independently and having a place to go to the bathroom, both at camp and out on the trails. Reflecting on our previous camping experiences, we began collecting our gear. We packed an extra large tent that would accommodate my bed-side commode chair, a cot that I could
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“During our trip, we tested the strength of our machines, the teamwork of our group and the courage to take on such an endeavor.”
transfer onto from my chair, and a little table for my supplies. We bought special camp toilet products to make cleaning and disposal easy, and we planned to bring in water for washing up. To make getting around camp a bit easier, I put my knobby Kenda tires on my wheelchair for extra traction. On Tim’s earlier trips, he rode a Honda Rincon four-wheeler of which he loved dearly, but that wasn’t going to be practical for me. We needed something we could both ride together, and a week straddling that ATV was not going to cut it for me. Instead, we invested in a Yamaha Rhino side-by-side UTV. It’s similar to a small jeep and can fit down most any trail. We had custom seats made with an extra layer of padding to cushion my ride for those longs days out on the trails. The back of the Rhino has a small bed where we packed my wheelchair, a small ice chest, essential tools and safety gear. We were ready for our trip!
ON TO MOAB… We arrived in Moab to meet the rest of our group who came from Oklahoma and Colorado. There were five guys and one other woman. Only three of us, however, would be camping. Everyone else rented rooms in town and would drive in each morning for that day’s trail rides. My husband, his longtime friend Shea, and I were the ones camping, and I couldn’t wait for the challenge the backcountry was sure to deliver. After buying supplies, we drove about 30 miles outside of town, past the Arches National Park. As we turned into the Lone Mesa area of Moab, I saw canyons and rocks that held a different kind of beauty than anything I’d seen before and much different than one would imagine a desert to be like. One of our challenges was to find a campsite that would allow me to get around in my TiLite manual wheelchair. Tim recalled some flat rock sections he’d seen during previous trips that would work better than the dirt and sand that made up much of the landscape. After passing on a few, I began to feel like a slight burden to the group. Determined, Tim found a level spot at the edge of Hell Roaring Canyon. We all wanted some scenery to look at each morning and a place that I could get around independently, and this area had both! We setup our two tents on the edge of the canyon, created my makeshift bathroom like we’d planned and then unloaded our machines. Our home away from home turned out better than I imagined it being. The canyon beneath us was what I can only ableoutdoors.nEt
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The Path That Narrows
describe as curvaceous rock formations full of green trees as far as the eye could see. Dusk was setting in and the group was itching to go for a ride. Since I was still settling in to camp, I decided to stay for some alone time. Tim built a big fire in the pit before they left so I could easily keep it going in the dark while they were gone. While they were gone, I “hiked” around in my chair as far as I could on my own and occasionally came back to stoke the fire. As darkness set in it got cold and a bit scary. Looking above the fire all I could see was the pitch, black space surrounding me. The only hint of light was reflected from the moon and stars. I knew from previous trips that coyotes start howling and moving around at night, and hearing them was exciting and a bit eerie at the same time. I’m glad I had a
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small handgun on me for protection, and that made me feel like an absolute pioneer woman. It was invigorating, but boy was I relieved to hear four wheelers in the distance coming back to camp. We enjoyed the rest of our evening around the fire pit, warming our bodies, eating unhealthy foods and enjoying wild stories from past trips to Moab. I couldn’t wait for tomorrow. The temps dipped into the 30’s that night, and the fire was the only option for heat. I was thankful for my zero-degree sleeping bag in my tent. One of my concerns during this trip was how to keep my paralyzed legs warm with my compromised circulation. Thankfully, my gear didn’t let me down. In the morning sitting around the fire, we had breakfast burritos and drank hot cocoa and coffee waiting for the sun to warm up the desert air. We planned our first full day trek, packed our snacks, and waited for the rest of our group to show up from town. The guys wanted to take me down to the Spring Canyon for my first trail ride in Moab. We rode about two miles until we reached the rim of the canyon. We pulled up next to the ledge and looked down some 5,477 feet. The guys said they wanted to head down to the bottom of the canyon. I laughed out loud because I couldn’t fathom it being possible. Recognizing that I wasn’t taking them seriously, my husband pointed behind me. I turned around to see a very narrow trail winding down to the bottom…WITH NO RAILING! Since the trail was the same color as the steep canyon walls you could hardly see it, but Tim promised it’d be a thrilling ride, assuring me that he had been down it many times before. Without taking my eyes off of the narrow path, I grabbed my camera so I could record my first time to the bottom, hopefully the slow way! About halfway
down, I looked back up at where we had come from and shook my head in awe. Once at the bottom, we ran along the Green River with the canyon walls towering high above us. I felt like I’d just discovered a secret world down there. It’s the type of scene you don’t see every day, or even in a lifetime. The clear water reflected the stone walls above like a mirror. On one side of the river there were only rocks and the other side was interspersed with patches of green grass. Words can’t describe how spectacular it was! Going back up the trail was my favorite part of this ride. I did my best to soak in the sights and sounds while calming my nerves as we navigated up out of the canyon. I had to put faith in my husband that he had my best interest at heart while he drove me up the narrowest trail I’d ever seen. I was soon to learn, though, that going into Spring Canyon was nothing compared to the next few treks we were going to conquer in the following days. On day two, we struck out for the longest and most adventurous ride of all…the Lone Mesa Loop. We left camp about 10am and rode flat trails for the first few miles. I could see the beautiful rock formations in the distance. They looked just like what you’d see in the Utah travel guide. We stopped at a few spots along the way for some group pictures. Our next stop on the Loop, and the most anticipated on our journey, was called Wipe Out Hill. Tim told me before the trip that it’d be the most butt-clinching part of the ride and there are a lot of people who won’t even attempt it. Looking at Wipe Out Hill from about a mile away, I thought, ‘That doesn’t look bad at all.’ We had to climb over some challenging rock and sand stone ridges, slick rock and other demanding trails just to get there. When we got closer, I realized that it looked a lot less treacherous from a distance.
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co-editor/Recreation
The Path That Narrows
Dawn Ziegler
able outdoors
There wasn’t much offered in the form of a support group, and the internet wasn’t established yet where one could connect with others or seek out information.
It took us a long time to go one mile in this terrain so I had plenty of time for the fear to set in. Once we reached the base, I’d already decided I really did NOT want to try it. All the men got out and walked the hill on foot to scout it out, so I knew this was serious. Careful planning had to be made on how to navigate across the slope without tipping over. The pitch was so steep we had to traverse the rock side-to-side. Everybody strapped in with harness-like seat belts so we wouldn’t be thrown out if we started to tumble. Amazingly, two of our guys hung off the high side of our machine to act as counter weights as we crossed. I didn’t want to be the weak link in the group, but I felt the urge to call my dad and get permission, or a blessing…I was that unsure. I asked my husband if he was confident about this and he replied, “There’s no turning back now!” I think he was taking this trust thing a little too seriously. But he got me through again and it was another frightening yet exciting moment that I was glad I had the opportunity to experience. I can understand now why they love coming out here so much. After we were across, our friends behind us started their climb. The other lady with us told her husband, after watching us go over, that she was walking. He talked her into staying in their side-by-side, and they made it safely too. We all did. I was so proud of the planning and the incredible teamwork of our group as we conquered Wipe Out Hill! We continued along the Seven Mile Rim Road and saw the Determination Towers rock formations, Monitor and Merrimac Butte, and many other dramatic viewpoints. Our next stop was the Uranium Arch, which is located in Court House Pasture of the Lone Mesa Loop. The Arch width spans 75 feet, and it’s not easy to locate on your own because of the many intertwining mining roads. The rough trail was slow going but well worth the effort to see. We continued down Seven Mile Road with many stops to take in the beauty and altitude along the way. At the highest points on this trail, we could see the canyons of Utah and the snow capped mountains in Colorado. We covered what we estimated to be 50-60 miles that day and enjoyed all of the challenging territory along the Lone Mesa Loop. On our last day of camping, we had another epic excursion of this trip. We rode several miles to the head of Hell Roaring Canyon, which was the same canyon our campsite was on. It was laced with a symmetry and landscape that the other canyons we visited didn’t have, and I felt like I’d upgraded to another level in beautiful during that ride. We actually used a map for this trek and found some of the
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most breathtaking views of the whole week. We rode nearly five miles around areas in the North East part of the 12-mile long canyon that day. This one spans down into the Green River similar to the Spring Canyon, which we traversed on day one. By accident, we stumbled upon The Jewel Tibbits Arch near the head of Hell Roaring Canyon. It was named after Jewel Tibbits, a rancher who used to take guests of the ranch to see this rare treasure back in the 50’s and 60’s. Jewel said it was the prettiest Arch she’d ever seen, and while I don’t agree with it being the prettiest Arch in the area, I do think she was on to something. Our journey to this section of the canyon felt like a four-wheeling playground full of ledges, slick rock, and greenery that the other canyons didn’t share. I enjoyed the beauty that Hell Roaring Canyon offered and the challenges of the trail to get back to those hidden beautiful spots that so many people don’t get the opportunity to experience. Once we finished that ride, it was time to pack up camp Moab and head to our hotel in town. I was definitely looking forward to a shower and a nice, soft mattress to sleep on. During our two-day journey back to Texas, I had plenty of time to think about what I learned and appreciated about this trip. All of those rock formations were symbolic of standing the test of time and overcoming the erosions that life causes them. I’ve always said that the forest is more appealing to my eye and calming to my spirit, but I now have an appreciation for the rocky slopes and the fine details of the desert landscape. They were perfectly imperfect, just like life. AOM Here are some links to check out if interested in off-road adventures in and around the Moab Desert in Utah: www. visitutah.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures/motorizedoff-road, http://moabpowersports.com/atv-utv-rentals/, www. moabadventurecenter.com/trips/rafting/
Not too long after I earned my teaching degree, I was volunteering at an alternative high school and some of the students were asking me questions about my disability. One of them made the comment, “I don’t know how you do it. If I had an accident and ended up with a spinal cord injury, I think I would end my life. I don’t think I could handle it.” I responded, “Wow, that’s a pretty harsh statement considering you don’t know anything about my life or what I have been able to do despite my disability. How then can you compare the quality of your life to mine?” I can understand how someone can think like that student, though. I remember all too well how I felt laying there in the trama unit and hearing those words, “No, you will never walk or regain the function of your hands again, but you will be alright.” All I could think at the time was, ‘HOW? I just lost everything! WHAT will I be able to do now?’ I am reminded of that feeling every time I peer mentor a new patient with a spinal cord injury; how overwhelming and bleak life appears in the beginning after the loss of your bodily functions and mobility. When I was injured back in 1985, I was only 16. We lived in the country on a small farm. There wasn’t much offered in the form of a support group, and the Internet wasn’t established yet where one could connect with others or seek out information. And although I had the support of my family and friends, none of them could truly understand what kind of loss I was feeling. It was about seven years after my accident when I finally connected with a support group of sorts. Through them, I learned about a Sail-Free Day at the Hoofers Sailing Club in Madison, WI. A small group of
individuals within the club organized an annual event dedicated to providing people with disabilities an opportunity to experience sailing. Through that event, I ended up taking an adapted sailing mini course. I had never sailed before, yet at the conclusion of three days of lessons, I was at the helm manning the tiller and another guy also with a SCI was working the main sail. Together, we were in control of the 12-foot sailboat. What an incredible feeling! A year and a half later, I became the coordinator of that accessible sailing program. After that, I pursued many activities and sought out ways to help others learn about the possibilities that are out there. Using the outdoors as a way to explore my abilities and revive my spirit while connecting with other individuals who live with a disability was a life altering experience for me. I’ve seen the same reaction from others as well. It has been my experience that when you believe there isn’t anything left to live for or look forward to, then that is probably how you are going to view your life and it will become your reality. There is an old Cherokee Parable that goes something like this:
Connecting people with disabilities to the resources that enable them in enjoying the benefits of the outdoors has been the driving force behind Able Outdoors. Our lives are not without struggles, but knowing there is more to life than those struggles can give us the strength to live through them. AOM
“A fight is going on inside of me. It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, resentment and self-pity. The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, faith and truth. Which one will win? The one I feed.”
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able outdoors
Gear
the aCtion traCkChair PavinG the WaY to freedom By Ashlee Lundvall 1998 started out like any other year for Tim Swenson. Business in Minnesota was booming at his full service motor sports company, Action Sports, where he sold and repaired marine crafts, motorcycles, ATVs, and snowmobiles. His sons were healthy and active, and life was good, but everything changed in an instant. Tim’s youngest son, Jeff, was involved in a vehicle accident at 16 years old that broke his back at T-7, causing paralysis and the introduction of a wheelchair. Tim remembers, “We couldn’t drop everything with the business, but we just didn’t know what to do.” Although the Swenson family had no firsthand experience with a disability, they recognized early on the need for better adaptive outdoor equipment. “After Jeff ’s accident, we were more aware of other people using wheelchairs,” Tim says. “We realized that everyone has a personal story.” When Tim’s oldest son, Jim, saw his own brotherin-law paralyzed in a diving accident in 2007, the idea to fill this gap in the market was solidified. Tim sold his business to Jim in 2009 and began the journey towards a new type of action sport by opening Action Manufacturing, Inc. Earlier research had shown Tim that while there were prototypes and one-time experimental all-terrain wheelchairs being attempted, no one was actively manufacturing and mass distributing a product. And those chairs didn’t quite meet Tim’s high standards of durability and efficiency. He called his contacts in the snowmobile business about the possibility of creating a smaller track system on a base with wheelchair components, and the Action Trackchair was born. “We weren’t planning on this being a long term thing, but we were enthusiastic about trying it,” Tim explains. Tim’s years as a motorsports repairman were instrumental in the overall design and inner workings of this new all-terrain wheelchair. Running on two 12 volt wheelchair batteries, the Trackchair is driven by a 24:1 ratio high thrust motor that moves at a steady speed of 3-4 mph for approximately 6 miles depending on terrain. 28
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A new model of Action Trackchair was recently released with a smaller frame to accommodate varying disabilities, joining the original, standing and youth models.
To provide added stability, the seat is equipped with 20 degrees of tilt in both forward and back angles. With a zero turning radius, the maneuverability is as efficient and user friendly as possible. The family began to brain storm about different attachments and accessories, as well as listening to feedback from customers. Tim saw Jeff using the chair to continue an active, outdoor lifestyle, and so considerations were made for all activities, all injury levels, and all needs. From headlights, headrests, and gun racks, to a universal mount system that allows each user to customize their own accessories, the Swensons understood the importance of independence and activity. Even the paint color and fabric choices can be customized for each chair. The Action Trackchair began to appear at trade shows and Abilities Expos nationwide. Hunters with disabilities started using it on television shows. As demand and production of the Action Trackchair increased, Tim recognized that many wounded veterans returning from oversees could also use it to get back to the activities they enjoyed before their injuries. He took a few chairs to Walter Reed Medical Center for a demo, and the response was incredible. Soon, through word of mouth and social media, veteran organizations began contacting Tim about partnering to provide the Action Trackchair to America’s wounded warriors. Bill O’Reilly from Fox News caught the excitement and began steering people to donate to the Independence Fund and others groups that contribute to purchasing all-terrain wheelchairs for disabled veterans. “I know of at least four quadruple amputees who are veterans that use their Trackchairs to enjoy the outdoors in a way they never dreamed possible,” Tim recalls.
Funding for Trackchairs is also available for non-veterans through community fundraisers and private foundations. “We’ve seen grade school classes raise money for fellow students in order for them to get a Trackchair,” Tim says. “Organizations within specific disability networks have also been successful in fundraising for individuals.” Tim’s son Jeff continues to be involved in the company as a distributor in Montana. His experience as a wheelchair user gives him a definite credibility with clients, and he isn’t the only one. Dealers in Nebraska, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Ohio, Wisconsin and other states are themselves wheelchair users as well. Action Manufacturing has distributors covering all fifty states, with dealers also in the Netherlands, Asia, Russia, Australia, Italy, South America, and other locations around the world. “I wouldn’t say that we are popular overseas,” Tim shares with a laugh, “But we are definitely making people aware of our product.” A new model of Action Trackchair was recently released, with a smaller frame to accommodate varying disabilities, joining the original, standing, and youth models. The company is also branching out into new territory, with the manufacturing of several aluminum sports wheelchairs for the local college wheelchair basketball team. Tim isn’t sure where this new endeavor will take him, but he is very excited about the possibilities. Action Trackchair customers continue to push boundaries and exceed the expectations of the product. From challenging hikes through fields and woods, to rocky fishing spots, sandy beaches and snow covered terrain; the Trackchair has redefined mobility by wheelchair. Last fall, I used one to drag my antelope over 400 yards back to the pickup truck after a successful hunt. Up several hills and down into a ravine, the Trackchair handled well and didn’t seem to mind the extra weight. It was the first time I have been that independent while hunting. “The Trackchair wasn’t originally designed with that type of use in mind,” Tim describes with a smile in his voice, “but we constantly hear similar stories of it doing great things for people.” For more information on the Action Trackchair or to inquire about the nearest dealer, go to www.actiontrackchair.com. AOM
Between armrest
14”
total Width
32 1/2”
height
42 1/2”
Weight
350lb
speed
3-4 mph
www.actiontrackchair.com
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HUnTinG
AOM
Growing up on a farm in south central Wisconsin, one might assume I grew up hunting. Hardly… I’ve only been hunting since the spring of 2011 when I went on my first turkey hunt with a group called Adaptive Sportsmen. Now three years later, hunting has a whole new meaning to me.
The Truths of the
hunt
By Dawn Ziegler
I
learned from the first time I experienced hunting that it’s not all about the kill. If it was, I wouldn’t have anything to do with it because that’s the part I struggle with the most. It’s more about the preparation before the hunt and learning about the game I’m hunting that appeals to me. The only way to do this is to be out there, which is what makes this challenging for a C 5/6 quadriplegic like myself. Fortunately for me, I’ve always had the best guides who have spent a great deal of time and effort to include me in this process. Last year I hunted with my good friend and guide, Chad Hermanson. Chad lives on his family’s 80-acre farm just south of Evansville, Wisconsin. I’ve been out there hunting several times before, for both deer and turkey, but have yet to fire a shot. We were hoping to change that this time around. It’s always a unique experience hunting with Chad because he’s also in a chair. He’s a T-7 para from a vehicle accident that happened in March of 2010. Six months later, Chad was back out hunting and fishing, figuring out how to do things despite the obstacles his injury threw at him. Seeking a better means of getting around the farm, Chad discovered the Action Trackchair. With the ability to traverse nearly any terrain with its unique track system, he knew this was a piece of equipment he needed to have. After his friends and community organized a fundraiser for the ATC, he was able to purchase one in September
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There were no barriers these two turkey hunters couldn’t overcome together.
2011 and regain some of the freedom he’d lost since his injury. That winter, Chad was contacted by the ATC company about joining their team and becoming one of the first Trackchair dealers who was an actual wheelchair user. After being a rep at two trade shows, he signed on. Now he covers the entire region of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. It was at Chad’s farm where I first tried out the ATC for myself. It was an incredible experience being able to trek all over the farm, through fields, over rocks and stumps, and over the steepest of hills. I hadn’t done that since before my accident some 28 years earlier on my own family’s farm. On previous hunts, we only had one Trackchair to use, but this year Chad had two so we were going to make the most of it! For the first two days of my season, it rained. When day three arrived, we were anxious to get out and hunt. It was cloudy and cool, and of course we were ready to see some turkeys. I arrived around 2pm so we’d have plenty of time to get our gear and head out. Chad’s uncle Joe was there to lift me into one of the Trackchairs. This would be the only thing we needed help with. Along with having stubborn personalities, we both had the attitude that whatever we needed from that point on we’d figure out on our own. Since this wasn’t our first time hunting together, we knew most of what we were up against.
Not only does the Trackchair allow us to go almost anywhere we want, it also gives us the ability to carry all our gear by ourselves. We loaded my Vital Shot gun rest, shotgun, Chad’s decoy, other various supplies, his pop-up blind and his manual chair because we can’t fit both Trackchairs in the pop-up. Heading out through the fields, I had to laugh because we must’ve looked like a mini-convoy going out on a mission. In a way, I guess we were. For the first afternoon, Chad took me to the field he called the Half Moon, I’m guessing because of its shape. It’s a great piece of land…an alfalfa field bordered by woods, a hill, two other fields and a swamp. Chad said he’d seen plenty of turkeys around that area, but if you know anything about turkeys, then you know how unpredictable they can be. Chad picked a spot not too far from the swamp and started setting up the blind. I could tell he had done this a million times because he had the system down. He popped it open and let it come down around him. Then after locking the sides out, he tipped it up on one side, rolled out from under it, and had me back in. After he set up his decoy, he parked his Trackchair, transferred into his manual chair and covered the other with brush. Then he tipped the blind up and rolled in. Once inside the blind, he helped me get my gun rest set up. One of the accessories available for the ATC is the same gun rest mount that I use on my manual chair so it made for an easy transition. All that was left to do was to put my trigger finger on and make adjustments to the height of the gun rest. It was only 3:30pm when we were set so we were happy with our timing. It wasn’t too long before we spotted our first few birds. They were all hens and on the other side of the Half Moon field. Chad did his best to call them closer, hoping there’d be a Tom to follow. One hen did come across the field, but there were no Toms or even a Jake to be found. For me, it was good just being out there and I got a couple lessons on turkey calling in before we called it a night and packed up. I don’t often get the chance to hunt in the mornings because it’s difficult for me to talk my caregiver into coming at 2:30am to help me get going. But the next morning I did just that! It was a rare treat for me as I headed out to Chad’s before sunrise for the morning hunt. Being out in the country, away from the city lights and noise, experiencing the sun coming up and the day come alive is my favorite part of hunting. For me there’s nothing that compares to the crisp air and all the sounds of God’s creatures awakening. I never feel more alive than I do during those special opportunities. Getting out during turkey season at least once for a morning hunt, when the toms are gobbling on the roost before they fly down, is worth the extra effort. It was a cold morning, and Chad’s uncle Joe looked quite groggy as he helped me get in the Trackchair again. But, as sunrise was fast approaching, we needed to get on our way. Things that morning didn’t seem to go as smoothly as we had liked. Hints of the day’s glow were creeping into the dark sky and we were just heading out to the fields. Chad decided to go to a different field than the day before because of where we watched the hens head off to. This time the pop up didn’t unfold like it should’ve and, as we were already late, for the first time ever I saw Chad lose his cool. I knew enough to wait it out and keep quiet because now was not the time to offer advice. Then, just as quickly as things went bad, he pulled himself together, came out of the tree line and said, “We can make this work.” And we did! We settled back in this hidden clearing inside the tree line without the blind. There was enough brush and foliage that we were pretty
well covered, and if any turkeys came up like Chad thought they might, then they wouldn’t see us until it was too late. The spot was perfect. It was the first time I hunted without a blind, and it was such a different experience. There was so much more I could see and hear without being blocked by the blind. We did hear a few gobbles that morning, but only three hens that came by just like Chad predicted. By late morning we decided to head in for some breakfast and a short rest before trying again in the afternoon. Later that day, we met up to hunt with one of Chad’s best friends, Jake Janes. Chad and Jake have been friends their entire lives, but they also have a unique bond. Sometime after high school, Jake enlisted and served in the United States Marine Corps. He was sent on two tours overseas…the first to Iraq, and the second to Afghanistan. Then on April 2, 2009, just ten days before he was scheduled to come home, Jake was on a mission and stepped on an IED resulting in the loss of both of his legs below the knee. “I knew something was wrong when I noticed I had nine messages on my phone,” Chad remembered. After Jake returned home, Chad was there, “I told him things were going to be alright and that we’d figure everything out.” That same year Chad had Jake out for muzzleloader season hunting for whitetail deer. Then, just short of a year after Jake’s injury, Chad had his accident. It was now Jake’s turn to be there for his buddy. So when it comes to hunting and fishing, they don’t give in to excuses…they just “Figure it out.”
Disabled Archery and Rifle Hunts Available! • Deer Archery Hunts. • Elk and Deer Rifle Hunts. • All hunting expenses are paid (food, lodging, game processing). • Additional financial assistance available.
Wyoming Disabled Hunters – Call: 307-899-0790 www.wyomingdisabledhunters.org ableoutdoors.nEt
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The Truths of the Hunt After seeing how Chad could get around on his Trackchair, Jake knew he had to have one too. And in the summer of 2012, with the help of a community fundraiser, he got his. The three of us went out to Jake’s uncle Bob’s land to hunt on the second afternoon. It was a large field where corn had been the year before. We unloaded the now three Trackchairs and all our gear. It was just the three of us, so I needed Jake to help me get into my Trackchair. I have to admit, I wondered if that was going to be hard for him, but he felt confident. It was a bit of a struggle but we did it. We headed out for the west side of the field. It was a long trek. I wished there was someone who could’ve taken our picture as we canvased the field. We definitely looked like a force to be reckoned with. It was a sunny day, but as we got farther into the open field we were hit with strong gusty winds that made setting up the pop up blinds a bit tricky. We had to anchor them down good because the gusts kept blowing the blinds over into the field. They didn’t do any calling either because with the wind so loud against the blinds the turkeys wouldn’t be able to hear it anyway. It wasn’t all that long before a couple birds made an appearance, and one was a nice Tom. Since I’d had a taste of hunting outside of the blind I was really missing it now, and that Tom had come in so quickly I never saw or heard him until he was right in front of us. I had yet to take a shot at a turkey in my 3 years of hunting and my nerves got the best of me. At 25 yards straight out, I took aim and pulled the trigger quickly and missed! I shot clear over his head. I tried to take another shot but my gun didn’t cycle the next shell and the
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turkey trotted off. I felt really bad like I let Chad down even though he didn’t seem bothered at all. The guys just said, “It happens to all of us,” and that “You just try to learn from it.” I took that advice seriously. We watched a few turkeys on the opposite side of the field for quite a while but they never made their way over. The sun was starting to set so we packed up for a third time empty handed. The next afternoon we met at uncle Bob’s again. We wanted to try the east side of the field where we’d seen some birds enter through the tree line and peck around for quite some time. It was another sunny day but much warmer and less windy. I was kind of quiet, though, with thoughts of the previous day’s hunt on my mind. After we got set up, Chad asked, “How many times did you replay that shot in your head?” I wondered how he knew as I answered, “About 50 times at least.” I wasn’t about to let that happen again, so I wanted to make sure, really sure I knew exactly what I did wrong. So while we sat in the blind I took several opportunities to practice lining up my shot at different spots. I was going to be ready next time. The afternoon, however, was uneventful. Besides two domestic cats and a busy squirrel, only one hen came up and passed by in front of us at about eight yards. It was strange too because it seemed as if she was spooked but not from us. As we headed back to our vehicles, we found out why. Turns out uncle Bob had started a brush fire after we got out to the field. There was a line of smoke all the way across the field, so no wonder we didn’t see anything. I get a text the next day from Chad. He and Jake hunted in the morning back behind Jake’s house. They sat in this wooded area and
had this mature Tom come through, but Jake couldn’t get a good shot with his bow. Apparently, this Tom had been outsmarting them for the past few years so Chad wanted to go back and set up there. He had a good feeling this big boy was going to come in again. Jake had a fishing tournament to go to that afternoon, so after he got me in the Trackchair, Chad and I headed out on our own to what was probably the most challenging set up yet. It was another sunny, gusty day…more so than a couple days ago. We had a long haul across the length of one field until we reached the end of the woods. Here, three fields came together at a point up against a wooded hill. The field road that connects them creates what they call a bottleneck. It’s in the tree line that’s almost perpendicular to the bottleneck where Chad decided to place the blind. We’d be facing the wooded hill where the guys were sitting that morning. Chad hoped the Tom would come out of the woods and through the bottleneck area to where he’d be directly in front of us at about 30 yards. But first he had to set up the blind. The spot he picked was neither clear of tall grass nor level. This is where having the ATC was a necessity because the location was one no able-bodied guide would ever consider taking me to. Then, with the wind gusting around 30 mph and little shelter from it, it was a serious challenge getting the blind up without the walls collapsing in. After about 20-30 minutes of fighting every obstacle and some creative bracing with a dead branch, though, we made it happen. After all the commotion of getting the blind set, I was a little concerned we spooked any birds that were nearby. But after all that I wasn’t going to mention it. After all, this is what hunting is and there was plenty of daylight left. Chad took another opportunity to teach me more turkey calls. I was completely in awe of the sounds he could make and the skill it took to create them. That’s something only years of practice can get you. After a while, we heard our first gobbles. I knew I had to keep a sharp eye on the woods in front of us because Chad’s view was obscured. At about 4:15pm, I saw something on the hill up amongst the trees. I was unsure of what I just saw, so I waited. Then I saw it again, the fan of a big Tom rising up and down and more gobbling followed. My heart pounded as I nudged Chad and said, “He’s there!” Chad got his diaphragm out and whispered, “You need to watch him carefully and let me know if he can see us because I need to keep calling but I don’t want him to know where the sound is coming from.” So I watched, and did as he directed. The Tom cautiously made his way across the woods, poking in and
out of my sight. He definitely was responding to Chad’s cutting but not quite the way he wanted. As the turkey left my view, Chad said out of frustration, “Dammit, I should’ve set us up in the woods where we were this morning. That Tom would’ve come right to us.” I was feeling a little disappointed too but wanted to be positive. So I whispered, “Just wait.” No more than five minutes later and here comes this big Tom! Strutting proudly, he made his way along the field road through the bottleneck just as Chad thought he might. I couldn’t believe how he was right there, and now I needed to act fast. You could tell he was a bit hesitant, yet he kept walking slowly, searching. Chad kept up his cutting trying to get him to stop. I took aim, but something wasn’t right. My trigger wasn’t moving which is what happened the other day. I didn’t want to rush and pull too hard because I was NOT going to miss this time. I looked up, repositioned my finger, looked down the barrel and shifted to the right to catch up to the Tom. When my bead landed right on the base of his neck, I pulled the trigger slow and controlled…this time my shotgun fired! The next thing I heard was Chad yelling, “You got him! You got him!” as he shook my arm and patted me on the back. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I was still waiting to make sure he didn’t get back up. Then it sunk in… ‘I got him!’ He was a beautiful 24-pound turkey with a 10-inch beard. He was something to be respected. I thanked God for the opportunity and I thanked Chad for his perseverance as my guide and friend. We were both exhausted by the time we got back to my van, but running on a high of the success of this hunt. I’m always reminded that in life, those things that you appreciate the most have been the hardest to achieve. We accomplished much more than the taking of my first turkey. We proved that we are stronger than any disability and that’s a life lesson to be proud of. AOM ableoutdoors.net
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able outdoors
Columnist
Jordan Meekings
“No matter how good you think you are, I learned the hard way, taking extra steps to ensure a steady shot is just smart hunting.
Lessons from the Field Picture this scenario: I haven’t gotten a solid chance at a buck since my accident in 2002, and I’ve hunted hard for four consecutive years. My father and mother-in-law are accompanying me on my first hunt in 2014. The sun is setting low and casting grey shadows on the tall timber and dense underbrush. I’m perched upon a high bluff overlooking a wide-open clear cut with draws, water, sporadic cover and TONS of buck sign. I was sitting and looking at the splendor in front of me, thinking this was the year I’d get my deer, when I heard a branch snap below me. My heart hit jackhammer mode and I began to scan furiously with binoculars but couldn’t see anything in the waning light. Sifting through all the downed logs and arm-sized branches searching for an antlered silhouette, my heart skipped a beat when my eyes landed on a beautiful 3X4 buck that materialized before a massive stump. I’d ranged the spot at 285 yards earlier, so my Interarms Mark X 30-06 was at my cheek lightning quick. I propped the rifle against my left hand which was holding a mossy 4 foot stick I was using as a rest. Before the buck appeared I felt confident in my shooting, especially with a pool cue-sized rest in my hand, but that idea was smashed like an egg under boot the second I saw him. My body began shaking as if I had some sort of neurological disorder. I couldn’t hold the damn crosshairs still. Meanwhile, the buck was moving forward with his massive rack bobbing up and down which was very distracting. Time was running out, and I knew if I didn’t take a shot soon I’d never get another. My training, muscle memory, and shooting ability kicked in, allowing me to follow the buck’s midsection as I gently squeezed the trigger. Fire filled my scope, and after recovering my line of sight, I searched. The buck was there, standing, like nothing happened. My embarrassment was mild… so far. My father-in-law said later that when he heard the first shot he was thrilled, but when the second, third, fourth, and finally the seventh, went off, he knew something was wrong. There are no words to describe the horrible feeling in my stomach when I remembered that I had an audience. My Interarms Mark X was produced in some Russian province in the 1960’s and was sold originally out of England. The ammo I used to 34
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sight it in was 180 grain Federal standard. The seven cartridges I had just spent all over the clear cut was hand-loaded 180 grain match grade from Tactical Ammunition. The gun never produced a pattern that I felt was outstanding, but it was always accurate enough at the 200 yard range. After my fiasco, I took the gun back to the rifle range, and just out of intuition put up two targets; one high and one low on the plywood base. The bull’s-eye on top was roughly 24 inches above the bottom target’s center. After 4 shots on the bench rest with my match grade ammo, there wasn’t one hole in the top target, but there were four in the bottom. I was so confounded that I didn’t believe the results. Then I fed the 180 grain Federals through the chamber and they shot fine. Using the match grade ammunition had produced a 2 FOOT drop at 200 yards. The “machine gun” hunting trip, as it was now known to my family, wasn’t only caused by ammo. I’d also used an unreliable rest. I was in a hurry that evening when arriving home after class to kiss my wife goodbye and grab my gear before heading to my fatherin-law’s house. I remembered on the way over that I’d forgotten my shooting sticks… ‘Oh well I can make do without,’ I thought foolishly. ‘I got skills.’ No matter how good you think you are, I learned the hard way, taking extra steps to ensure a steady shot is just smart hunting. Take that extra minute to prepare, or research, or practice or you’re setting yourself up for failure. This brings me to my next point. Did you know that shooting downhill changes the path of your bullet? I do… now. In my search to figure out how things could’ve gone so wrong, I discovered that shooting up or down at angles can affect your bullet’s trajectory. How to deal with that depends on many factors, but the main one is practice. Like the old adage says, “You can only learn how to do something by getting your hands dirty.” In the end, last season’s failure taught me so much about shooting that I think I owe that old buck a “thank you”, although he still haunts me in the late hours of the night sometimes. Even If I’d downed him, I was destined to have this experience. Personally, I’m glad I missed, because it’s made me a better hunter. AOM
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troPhies
aoM troPhies
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Turkey
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TONY SOSBY
Tony took this bird on April, 26th in Knox, IN, on a Turkey Tracks Hunt.
LADONNA GREEN
JERRY LENT
Jerry scored his tom in ToTo, IN, with guide Larry Fletcher on April 26, just 22 minutes after the blind and decoys were set up. It was an afternoon hunt and after only two calls from his guide their bird came in. It weighed 22lbs 2oz. with a 9” beard & 7/16” spurs.
LANE SUTTON
11 year-old Lane sits proudly with his 24 lb gobbler he took on a hunt with Turkey Tracks in Steuben county, IN. Here he is showing off his custom-made Ed Jenkins Ghost Maker call. Helping Lane on the hunt were guide Terry Gary, Matt Short and Andy Sutton.
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LaDonna bagged this monstrous tom on April 25th on the Turkey Tracks hunt in Knox, IN. He tipped the scales at 28.4 lbs and sported 14” & 5” double beards!
BARRY ARRINGTON
Barry settled accounts with this gobbler on April 13th in Bedford county, VA. He weighed 20 lbs - 9” beard.
TODD MANION
Todd was successful hunting in St Joe’s county, IN. His guides were Michael Zylstra, Ethan Comus, and Chuck Posak. He got this monster tom on Sunday April 26th and this was also a Turkey Tracks hunt. The unofficial score added up to 63 & 12/16 which would contend for the state record.
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Eric downed this tom on March 21st with his niece Mamie Searcy, a 20 lb bird with a 9 1/2” beard, in Port Allen, La.
ROBIN CLARK
Robin scored this beautiful bird on April 25th on East Belmont Farm in Keswick, VA, on the annual Virginia Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt with guide Jeremy Drumheller; 20lbs, 10” beard, 1” spurs.
IN EACH ISSUE
animal
Turkey
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Spring, 2015
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NOAH WALTERS
Noah bagged his bird on March 15 on a Kidz Outdoors hunt in Hayneville, AL. Congratulations Noah! 36
ERIC SEARCY
BRADEN MASSEY
Braden took this thunder chicken on March 28th, also on a Kidz Outdoors hunt in Huntingdon, TN.
we will include a Trophy Page for one section of the magazine where photos from our readers will be selected. To submit photos, contact us through email or the website. Next issue will highlight fishing or paddle sports.
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Individual Profile
George Bolender
The Streamlight Challenged Hunter of the Year Award was the first nationwide recognition program established to honor physically challenged hunters. It’s based primarily on what each recipient has done to help others get back into the outdoors, and the very first winner was George Bolender, a C-5 quadriplegic from New York. According to the award’s voting committee, “It takes a tremendous amount of courage to face a disability and to get oneself back into the mainstream of life, but a select few do not stop there. They feel obligated to reach out and help others just as they had once been helped.” George was one of those few. George and his friends have since started their own organization, called New York Outdoors Unlimited, which hosts group hunts and helps challenged hunters with finding any adaptive equipment they might need. Check out the site and contact George if you’re in the area. No doubt there’ll be a wealth of info there when it’s completed. The Challenged Hunter Award honors one heroic disabled citizen each year. With that said, Buckmasters’ American Deer Foundation and Streamlight were proud that they could announce George as their very first recipient. At the age of 43, George Bolender of Ontario, New York, was nominated by his wife, Julie; his son, George Jr. along with his close friends Joe Kirkpatrick and Mike Roy and his personal attendant Shelly Smith. George became a quadriplegic (paralyzed from the neck down) after a serious automobile accident in 1991. But he refused to let himself be out of the hunting game. While still in the rehab hospital, George learned that there were special programs for disabled hunters. Organizations such as Buckmasters and the NRA’s Disabled
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Because of his willingness to help, George has been recruited by many organizations to assist with getting disabled hunters back into the outdoors Shooting Services help support a nationwide network of clubs, organized hunts, financial-aid options, and consulting services for disabled hunters and shooters. After a six-month stay, George was released and came home with one thing on his mind: being able to hunt again. He’d lost his job as a contractor and faced daunting bills and an uncertain future. It would take more than a year to develop a plan and to figure out a means by which to shoot. He sold a few guns for money and solicited his brother-in-law, Russell Zaft, a welder, to construct a gun rig that would attach to his chair. (Zaft has since built all of Bolender’s hunting rigs.) By 1993, George was back in the woods again, taking his first deer as a “challenged” sportsman, a small buck, with a 20 gauge shotgun. But he wanted more. During the summer of 1995, he couldn’t help but pick up his old compound bow and find a way to be able to launch arrows from it again. Following a lead, Julie drove George (since he was unable to drive) to Syracuse, New York, to meet a man who built adaptive bow rigs for disabled hunters. Within 15 minutes of trying out a bow there, George was sending arrows into a target’s bull’s-eye.
“I kept looking around at Julie, like, I just can’t believe this,” he says. “A light went off for me. I could see a world of possibility that I thought had been shut off forever.” George went home with a rig that day, and that fall he harvested two deer by bow & arrow. Since that fateful season, George has taken upwards of 35 deer with his both bow and gun, plus a 6-foot 7-inch New Brunswick black bear that he arrowed from a ground blind at 14 paces. Throughout these endeavors, George could not stop thinking back about how hard it was to find the equipment and info he needed to get back to hunting, not to mention the people to build it for him. He began passing all his success stories to others, assisting the challenged sportsmen that he knew find the parts and components they needed to put together their own gun and bow rigs. In some cases, George even took care of the fabrication himself if the person needed his help on it. Because of his willingness to help, George has been recruited by many organizations to assist with getting disabled hunters back into the outdoors, two of which are the New York Department of Environmental Conservation and the New York Bowhunters, and are in addition to his New York Outdoors venture. Through these groups, George is in contact with challenged hunters all over North America, mainly by email and telephone, daily. He not only helps people with adaptive equipment, he also provides encouragement and valuable mentorship. What else is George doing when he’s not getting himself or others ready for the hunting seasons? Well, you might find him putting together one of the many disabled hunts or accessible archery shoots that he hosts every year. You see, George is also president of the NY Outdoors Unlimited Inc. which holds an annual fundraiser banquet to benefit disabled sportsmen. But if you’re looking for him after the New York archery season has started, you better be in the woods, because that’s where George will be, silently perched
upon his camouflaged wheelchair like a Marine Corp sniper, bow at full draw, waiting. He will be looking for deer, but sometimes his thoughts will focus on someone else and how he can help get them back into God’s great outdoors. AOM
Have the actions of anyone inspired you to push beyond? Let us know!
chad@ableoutdoors.net
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travel
Alone in Japan:
Me and my newly adopted Japanese family at the oldest wooden pagoda in Japan. Very little English was spoken between us but we had a blast together and learned a lot from one another.
An Unforgettable Journey
By Ashley Lyn Olson Founder & CEO www.wheelchairtraveling.com I’d been in Japan for only three days when my friend and tour guide (who is fluent in Japanese) delivered the bad news. ‘I need to return to the US tomorrow,’ he said. ‘It’s an emergency.’ I understood completely, but I felt vulnerable. In 24 hours I would be lost in translation. But armed with some helpful key phrases, an open mind and positive attitude, I was ready for a grand adventure in Japan. I had no specific sightseeing agenda. This flexibility, coupled with an open mind and positive attitude, was my insurance to having a grand adventure in Japan. Before my friend’s departure, he schooled me in the ways of the Japanese train systems. Fortunately for me and any other wheelchair traveler, the Japanese train system is highly efficient and wheelchair friendly; one of the best, if not the best, in the world. The stations alone are a great resource for wheelchair travelers, as most have accessible restaurants and restrooms along with convenient stores. 40
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The most famous train in Japan is the Shinkansen, better known as the “bullet train.” It travels up to 186 mph. I needed to take the train to reach Kyoto, which is about a twohour ride from Tokyo. I confirmed with the attendant that I needed assistance onto the train. I got in the habit of doing so because I never knew how little or big the gap from the train to the platform would be. This removed the unknown and saved time because I would be personally escorted to the correct platform and car I needed. The attendant would then call the next station to make arrangements for a ramp when I arrived. On the Shinkansen and other longer traveling trains, there is a marked wheelchair- accessible car with larger doorways, spaces for wheelchairs and an accessible restroom. On the Shinkansen there is also a “multipurpose room” used for overflow. The first time I boarded, the wheelchair space was already taken so I was placed in this room, which was my own private suite. Even on the return trip when the wheelchair space was open, I requested the multipurpose room and was given it without question. Nara Park is about an hour from Kyoto. The park is well known for
the tame Sika deer that roam freely. I headed to a shrine that was one of the major ancient attractions in Nara. The path-way started as concrete but soon broke up into pebbles. Some parts were thicker than others, almost like quicksand. I was tired but had gone all this way, so I was determined to reach the shrine. About 500 feet away from the shrine, I made eye contact with a Japanese family headed in the same direction. The father said hello in English and pushed his hands forward to inquire if I wanted some help. “Yes! Yes!” I replied in Japanese. The father pushed most of the way and then traded off with his son. When we reached the base of the shrine, it was obviously not accessible due to hundreds of stairs. I warmly thanked the family for their kindness and explained I would take photos from where I was. The father stood there trying to come up with a solution. Less than a minute had passed when a young man from the U.S. came to our aid and, together, they hoisted me up in the air in my wheelchair. I felt like Cleopatra as they paraded me over the hundreds of stairs. When we finished at the shrine, the father asked if I had a plan, and I replied no. He explained the family had a car and could take me wherever I wanted to go in Nara. “Really?! Well, I wanted to see the oldest wooden temple in Japan.” When I was a child, my mother told me never to take rides from strangers, but that caution was thrown to the wind. I gladly got into the car without hesitation. The pure goodness of the human spirit was oozing out of this family. I was impressed by the father, who, after showing him only once, was able to assemble my manual wheelchair. We made conversation the best we could despite the obvious language barrier. The son, who was around 13, asked me, “What music do you listen to?” I rattled off a few names but quickly ran out of ones he recognized. “Macarena?” the boy asked holding up a CD. I laughed hysterically. “Yes, I know this!” The Macarena was set on repeat for the rest of the trip, and everyone was amused when I showed them the dance. The father didn’t allow me to pay for anything, including my ticket into the temple or the Popsicle and tea we got for the return trip. The kindness and generosity of these strangers was overwhelming. The day with my Japanese family was one of my trip’s highlights, but my favorite day was in the Arashiyama District of Kyoto. I headed to the Bamboo Grove. Along the paved trail was an old man in his 70s
with a long peppered beard — the kind an old Japanese martial arts master or fisherman would have. He was displaying a dozen painted Japanese landscape postcards. I asked the man if he was the artist. Grinning from ear to ear he replied, “Well, yes!” in perfect English. We sat under bamboo trees for a few minutes chatting, and then he started to say something in English but ended his thought in Spanish. “Wait, what?” I giggled. He froze for a moment with a puzzled look on his face and then broke out in childlike laughter. It was infectious, and the whole world seemed to pause for this moment. Out of all the Japanese people I met, this scraggly old man had the best English and a smile that tickled my heart. Being open and aware to what’s around you is one of the most important aspects of traveling because you never know who you may meet or what you will see. Being able to adapt to any situation, and allowing other people to help you are also key components. See you around the world. For more incredible trip reviews and resources for accessible travel, visit Ashley’s website at www.wheelchairtraveling.com. AOM ableoutdoors.net
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Columnist
ashley lyn olson
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My father was killed in the same car accident that paralyzed me when I was fourteen. He was a great man and a wonderful father. He was also a ranger and taught me a lot about nature, and it was his dream to see all the US National Parks though he only made it to a handful of them. In honor of my father and the 25th Anniversary of the American’s with Disabilities Act, wheelchairtraveling.com launched the 501C3 Access to Parks Project this May. The mission of the project is to make it easier for people with limited mobility to plan a trip to a National park based on their accessibility needs. We are also helping each park selected update their access information (and maybe suggest some improvements). To better serve visitors with accessibility needs, we will document the length and grade of trails, trail surfaces, the locations of accessible restrooms and much more. Such details address the basic needs and concerns of people with limited mobility, thereby enabling them to make informed decisions about what parks to visit. Park evaluations are based on the access conditions that currently exist and are not a determination of compliance with any access regulations. Cooperation and support from the corresponding NPS representative to create a sustainable model is also a part of this mission. Fifteen National Parks have been selected to catapult the Access to Parks Project into action, although this is merely the beginning. More access reviews at the national, state and local parks level will be included. In May, 2015, I embarked on a two-week journey from Atlanta, GA, to Cleveland, OH, to visit, evaluate and promote access at three National Parks: Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, Shenandoah in Virginia, and Cuyahoga Valley in Ohio; some state parks were also planned for review along the route. The park evaluations are detailed, including trail makeup and location of accessible bathrooms. The evaluations will be available free to the public on wheelchairtraveling.com. A video of each park will also be produced through wheelchairtraveling.com. Nearly everyone enjoys spending time in the outdoors. Nature revives and grounds us all. I can vividly recall camping and daytrips in the outdoors with my family when I was a child (before the accident) and the joys of exploring. From those days forward, the thrill of traveling has always been a part of me. I didn’t know it at the time, but my parents gave me a very precious gift, a profound respect and admiration for nature. Wheelchairtraveling.com was created in 2006 with a mission to increase opportunities and improve access to travel and outdoor
able outdoors
recreation for people with disabilities through advocacy and education. The site grew from an obvious need for accessible travel information I observed and experienced from my paralyzed life. Like many others who need accessibility, I spent countless hours researching a destination only to find out I’d been misinformed about access when I go there. This is why I created a platform where I could share travel information to better prepare the next visitor. Not only will you find tips on cruises, accommodations, air travel, attractions and even equipment on my site, but also the tools to plan a trip on your own, with a specialized tour company, or a travel agent. When I started wheelchairtaveling.com, supplying information about accessible trails into the outdoors was one of my goals. Plus, I was generally curious as to what I could access in nature from my chair. After researching and documenting access at parks for several years, I’ve noticed that some parks have detailed information on accessibility for visitors while others have none at all. A good number of our nation’s parks have accessible features, but due to limited resources, some of these have been unable to provide basic planning information for visitors with limited mobility. These are the parks being targeted. To date, I’ve been to over a dozen National Parks and countless state parks that were able to provide enough information where I felt the visit was worth my effort, time and money. Reviews of these parks are already on wheelchairtraveling.com. John Muir, a conservationist who dedicated his life to the preservation of these national spaces once said, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul alike.” I believe that having access to the outdoors is more than just another opportunity; it’s like air itself – a necessity for our growth as people and for our love of nature. I want more people to feel comfortable planning an outdoor trip and that vision begins with more information becoming available about accessibility. Happy traveling! AOM
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letter FroM the editor
“I’m an outside guy, not an inside guy, and if you’re like me, I think you’re going to love this magazine.” – Chad Waligura
I never thought I’d actually get to write this but here we are. The first issue is out, and if you’re reading this it means that what started as a tiny idea three years ago is now in print. The notion was sparked by several people I’d met over the years, all of them challenged sportsmen, across the country who told incredible stories I felt needed to be published. And since there aren’t any magazines out there that would do it, I knew I’d have to take matters into my own hands. For the past 15 years, I’ve been practicing my writing and editing skills, and generally getting myself ready to take on a project like this. The Able Outdoors site came first. Actually, Follow Me Outdoors came first, then Disabled Hunter and now it’s finally morphed into Able Outdoors. Like the previous sites, AbleOutdoors.net site is about sharing knowledge. When I started the first one in the early 90’s, info on disabled hunting was not easy to come by. There’s a lot more of it now, but it’s still pretty spread out, and that’s where we come in. We want it to pool it all in one place. Our magazine will be created by, for and all about the able outdoors: hunting, fishing, outdoor rec, travel, WW, adaptive equipment, etc. Basically, anything other than the organized sports like basketball or quad rugby. Our writers will either be disabled sportsmen & women or people who are involved with organizations that help us in some way to get outside. I’m an outside guy, not an inside guy, and if you’re like me, I think you’re going to love this magazine. We also want to tell stories... your stories, so let us hear from you. None of them are too big or small, and trust me, it doesn’t matter if you’re a writer or not. We can help you with that. Of course there are going to be some of those epic adventure articles, the kind that “inspire” the masses, but they’re not all going to be like that. Some will be “how-to’s” that explain how you did something or some kind of adaptive equipment you used. We want to know about your passions in life and how you kept doing them in spite of your disability. We will try to keep up with current events as they relate to outdoor adventures, and new products that come onto the market. If know about any of these things happening in your area, send us the info and we’ll post it on our Newsreel on the site. Please send us letters to let us know how we are doing. Help us spread the word. When you’re finished reading this issue, drop it off at your doctor’s office waiting room, or local library, for others to read. Please pass it on.
We want this magazine to be diverse. There will be many different sections and we want to cover a broad range of topics. There’s even going to be an advocacy page someday. We want to not only entertain, to show people what can be done and how to do it, we want to help make some changes in the world. The ADA can only go so far, it takes people like us to get it enforced sometimes. When you see a problem, tell us about it and what you DID to fix it. Hopefully you’ve gotten an idea of where we want to head with this magazine. We believe there’s a niche out there that needs to be filled and we’re going to do our best to do the job. No matter what happens, it’s going to be a fun ride and one we want everyone to join. Let’s do this thing! AOM
FOR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT
www.AbleOutdoors.net
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ABLE OUTDOORS
Chad Waligura Chad Waligura, Editor
In 1986, Cam Tribolet was on his was home from a night of drinking when, at a Fort Wayne, Indiana, stoplight, three men tried to carjack him. During the assault, Cam was shot three times in the stomach. One bullet ripped through his aorta, another lodged near his back, and the third tore through his bowels, spewing infection throughout his body. Cam’s family was informed that he probably wouldn’t survive the night. But he did. In the days and weeks that followed, both of Cam’s legs would be amputated above the knee. He would endure thrity-six operations and require resuscitation thirteen times. His fiancée would break up with him in the hospital. He would become addicted to drugs to deal with the pain. And he would face the loss of his career. He would even contemplate suicide. But God was not done with Cam Tribolet. During his remarkable recovery, Cam befriended and eventually married his physical therapist, Sue, who was instrumental in helping him find God and begin living again. Since then, his disability has not slowed him down. Cam became an engineer, a father, a downhill skier, and more. Born of tragedy, Cam’s life is fuller and more rewarding than he ever imagined it could be. His story of redemption, perseverance and hope is for anyone that needs to discover that our God is a God of amazing second chances.
To order a copy of Cam’s book, call 1-800-444-4484 or email sales@whitakerhouse.com.
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ClassiFieds
2008 DODGE 1500 QUAD CAB ACCESSIBLE PICKUP Very nice 2008 dodge 1500 quad cab accessible pickup. 63k miles and has been well maintained and taken care of. All accessible equipment was installed only 10k miles ago so almost brand new! Selling b/c I want a new truck. Equipped with a Turny seat that comes out and drops down for an easy, level transfer, a wheelchair lift that loads ur chair, a power bed topper to keep it out of the weather, push-button electric gear shift, rain sensor windshield wipers, push-button feature on arm rest so driver can work the horn, dimmers, turn signals, cruise control and wipers without ever having to remove your hands from the steering wheel (tap button with elbow to work all the functions.) Remote start, electric emergency brake, gel cell battery to power all equipment, wired with heavy duty breakers, also has a button to jump start the truck from the extra gel cell battery if ever the regular truck battery were dead (no asking someone for a jump with jumper cables!) 20” chrome rims, new tires, great sounding cherry bomb dual exhaust along with all power windows that the lone star edition comes with from the factory. Just the accessible equipment alone was $30k and the truck alone blue books for $17k. Was asking $33k now REDUCED to $30k. Feel free to ask any questions! Call or text 936-332-0074.
Our Mission is to Assist Anglers with Disabilities across the nation. Can We Take You Fishing? With events across the country we can give you the opportunity to enjoy the sport of fishing. What Smiles Can You Create? Become a member, volunteer, make a donation. Join the fun, make new friends and share the greatest gift of all, yourself.
HELIUM LIFE STAND WHEELCHAIR - 18” Helium Life Stand wheelchair - 18” – By Permobil. 4 years old. Lightly used; Like new! Great chair but I’m just too tall for it. $7500 OBO. Contact Justin at 832-360-7066. RENTAL VANS FROM ADAPTIVE DRIVING SOLUTIONS Rental Vans from Adaptive Driving Solutions location. Servicing the Houston Intercontinental Airport Airport. Fully accessible for all types of chairs. Call for reservations and more info on modifications. 281-487-1969. RENTAL VANS FROM ADA PASADENA Rental Vans from ADA Pasadena location. Servicing the Houston Hobby Airport. Fully accessible for all types of chairs. Call for reservations and more info on modifications. 713-874-9100.
FOR ADVERTISING RATES CONTACT: Chad Waligura Chad@ableoutdoors.net / 979-‐541-‐4954 CLASSIFIED AD RATES: $1.30 per word (print rate) BOX-‐OUTLINED ADS: $80 per square inch
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ABLE OUTDOORS
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