I started going hunting with my dad when I was young and started carrying a gun at age seven. I fell climbing a tree while bowhunting in October 1997 when I was 19. The fall left me paralyzed from the chest down with a spinal cord injury. I am a C-6 incomplete quadriplegic, with limited use of my arms

. I had always been an avid sportsman and always enjoyed all types of hunting. After my accident I thought I would never be able to hunt again much less enjoy getting out in the outdoors. During my rehabilitation at Healthsouth my therapist suggested visiting the lakeshore outdoor program. They gave me some ideas and showed me some adaptive equipment that would allow me to adapt to my injury and hunt again. That got me going and inspired me. Through the help of organizations, friends, and family I got back into hunting a year later.

My dad built me a gun rest that fits on my wheelchair that holds my gun, which allows me to move my gun all directions and shoot it on my own. I also have a rest from which I can shoot my crossbow.
Through trial and error we have improved them and made them more efficient. I hunt from an electric wheelchair from ground blinds, shooting houses and pop up tents. I try to hunt at least two days a week or more. With a little preparation, will power, and assistance I have found anything is possible. Hunting from a wheelchair has its disadvantages but I still am able to harvest deer and see a lot of game.
It is great to still be able to hunt with my family and friends. It is a bigger challenge to hunt and do other things with a disability like I have and as many others do as well. I have taken 11 deer with my rifle and three with my crossbow in the last three years.

I heard of hunting accidents throughout my life but never thought it would happen to me. Most hunters think the same way. I always practiced hunting and gun safety but you never know what is going to happen. The stand I was climbing had wooden steps nailed to the tree with a big platform up about 16 feet. I was transferring from the ladder to the platform and pulling on a limb that helped get into to stand.
The limb broke, and I fell off backwards. It happened so fast there was nothing I could do. I preach to other hunters and friends to tear down all homemade stands, just for reasons like this. All hunters should use metal ladder stands or the newer climbing stands if you prefer to hunt from a tree. Always wear a safety belt and if all possible put it on at the base of a tree and climb with it.That is the safest way.

There are organizations that help people with all types of disabilities to get out to hunt and fishing. They also have information on hunts and hunting areas throughout the state. I would be glad to help anyone if I can or get you in touch with someone or an organization that will be of assistance with adaptive hunting equipment, hunts, and other opportunities.

You can reach me at (205) 665-1617.