I've always loved helping others in the disabled community get involved with outdoor recreation. I continue to believe it's one of the best ways to work through the many challenges those of us with a disability face on a daily basis. It's also great for one's spirit and helps focus our attention on our abilities rather than what we can't do. But my lastest interests...fishing, shooting (both gun & crossbow), and hunting...have me on a new mission of sorts.
In the hunting & fishing world, there are very few women with disabilities. You seldom see women, in general, out with the guys hunting & fishing; although, I know there are many out there enjoying these male dominated sports. If you do a bit of checking, you can find quite a few women groups devoted to all kinds of hunting, fishing, camping, archery, shooting guns, wild game cooking, bird watching, and almost anything nature related. One of these groups is Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) (www.uwsp.edu/cnr/bow/wihome/index.aspx) which started in Stevens Point, WI, 20 years ago and has since established BOW groups throughout the country. However, there hasn't been much involvement from disabled women.
So I contacted Peggy Farrell, President of BOW-Wisconsin, to see if they would have an interest in helping me develop an outdoors workshop for disabled women. She was definitely interested and that got me very excited for what could develope from this.
We had a marathon of a meeting. Although there are tons of details and planning to be done, the wheels are in motion for a one day outdoors workshop for disabled women in the works for June 2011. I'll keep you posted as plans develop!
First Time Shooting a Gun
Recently, I participated in a disabled pheasant hunt organized by Adaptive Sportsmen (AS). It was held at the Smith's Pheasant Crest Preserve in Oxford, WI. I heard about it from my friend, John Martinson, who has been long time member of AS. He found out I was looking for ways to adapt a gun & learn to shoot.
Even though I wasn't interested in the hunt yet, John said there would be a lot of guys there to help me and a good place to try out some different setups. I was so excited because I was feeling a bit unsure of how to start, so this hunt was perfect timing!
When I arrived, I couldn't believe how many people were there. I'm guessing there were well over 100 volunteers and I don't know how many participants...all in camo & hunter orange. A good sign I thought.
From the moment I got out of my van, I felt like I was lifted up by a strong current and I wasn't quite sure what I had gotten myself into. I know this probably sounds strange to those who've done this before, but I had no idea of the size of this operation and was a bit overwhelmed. I thought I'd be getting some help with figuring out adaptions and maybe some target shooting. But when I went to sign up, I explained my situation and the woman said, "When it's your turn, we'll set you up with some of our guys and take you right out to the field. They'll work with you to get you shooting and you'll get a chance to practice trap shooting. Then we'll take you down to the woods and set you up for some pheasant hunting." WHAT?
I told the lady I never shot a gun before, I didn't have any hand use, and I probably won't be able to hold up the gun without a stand of some kind, so I wasn't set on hunting today. Well, she reassured me the guys would be able to work through anything and that there was..."nothing to worry about...we'll get you hunting!" It was very clear to me they knew what they were doing and were eager to do it...get me shooting and out hunting! So, I rolled with it.
My turn was up. They took me out, raised me up on a wheelchair lift, rolled me onto a buggy and hauled me out to the field. The guys helping me were Tom Nicholson from UFFDA and Paul Baker and Bill Hilger from Safari Club Badgerland. Together they had a wealth of experience working with individuals with all kinds of disabilities, and it showed. Not only were they hilarious, but they had a "can do" attitude which I loved.
They decided to start me off with a 20 gauge shotgun. First I got a mini, but thorough, gun lesson. Even though I had other issues on my mind, I found myself totally focused on what Paul was teaching me. Hold the butt of the gun tight against my shoulder. Rest my cheek on the gun and look down the top edge of the barrel. Line up both beads on the target being sure to keep following the clay pigeon with the barrel of the gun. Keep the gun in motion when you pull the trigger. Then they handed me the gun.
Obviously, we had some adapting to do, but the cool thing was the guys never blinked an eye...they just went to work. One of them rigged up a carabiner with a wrist strap so I could pull the trigger. Not the ideal set up, but it worked. Tom used a gun stick to support the gun since I couldn't hold it up. He needed to hold it to stabilize the gun since we had no way of attaching it onto anything at the time, but otherwise it was a good temporary solution. Then to support my trunk, I brought my own chest strap...a 9" x 32" stretchable belt from Sportaid. It can be put up as high on your chest as needed, but it's more comfortable for women because it can be very tight without crushing "the girls". I was ready!
It's hard to trap shoot when you can't move the gun with the target. So, they positioned the trap so it would project the clay pigeons out in a direction that would give me the best opportunity for a shot but it was tricky. I couldn't hit any but the guys kept saying I was close and had the right idea. I told them I was planning on going on my first turkey hunt in March, so they set up a clay pigeon on a corn stalk at about 25 yds for me to try. The first attempt I nicked it, but the second shot I hit!
It was getting late and they wanted me to have a go at shooting a pigeon. They decided to keep me in the field there and bring the pigeons to me. They rigged up a box they could open from a distance to release the bird. The trick was to position the box so that the pigeon would fly up and out close to where I could shoot it. HA! It was entertaining to watch at least. Never got a shot off because out of four birds, none of them flew even close to where I could take a shot. It was an amazing experience anyway and I can't thank the guys who helped me enough for all they had done.
Even though I wasn't interested in the hunt yet, John said there would be a lot of guys there to help me and a good place to try out some different setups. I was so excited because I was feeling a bit unsure of how to start, so this hunt was perfect timing!
When I arrived, I couldn't believe how many people were there. I'm guessing there were well over 100 volunteers and I don't know how many participants...all in camo & hunter orange. A good sign I thought.
From the moment I got out of my van, I felt like I was lifted up by a strong current and I wasn't quite sure what I had gotten myself into. I know this probably sounds strange to those who've done this before, but I had no idea of the size of this operation and was a bit overwhelmed. I thought I'd be getting some help with figuring out adaptions and maybe some target shooting. But when I went to sign up, I explained my situation and the woman said, "When it's your turn, we'll set you up with some of our guys and take you right out to the field. They'll work with you to get you shooting and you'll get a chance to practice trap shooting. Then we'll take you down to the woods and set you up for some pheasant hunting." WHAT?
I told the lady I never shot a gun before, I didn't have any hand use, and I probably won't be able to hold up the gun without a stand of some kind, so I wasn't set on hunting today. Well, she reassured me the guys would be able to work through anything and that there was..."nothing to worry about...we'll get you hunting!" It was very clear to me they knew what they were doing and were eager to do it...get me shooting and out hunting! So, I rolled with it.
My turn was up. They took me out, raised me up on a wheelchair lift, rolled me onto a buggy and hauled me out to the field. The guys helping me were Tom Nicholson from UFFDA and Paul Baker and Bill Hilger from Safari Club Badgerland. Together they had a wealth of experience working with individuals with all kinds of disabilities, and it showed. Not only were they hilarious, but they had a "can do" attitude which I loved.
They decided to start me off with a 20 gauge shotgun. First I got a mini, but thorough, gun lesson. Even though I had other issues on my mind, I found myself totally focused on what Paul was teaching me. Hold the butt of the gun tight against my shoulder. Rest my cheek on the gun and look down the top edge of the barrel. Line up both beads on the target being sure to keep following the clay pigeon with the barrel of the gun. Keep the gun in motion when you pull the trigger. Then they handed me the gun.
Obviously, we had some adapting to do, but the cool thing was the guys never blinked an eye...they just went to work. One of them rigged up a carabiner with a wrist strap so I could pull the trigger. Not the ideal set up, but it worked. Tom used a gun stick to support the gun since I couldn't hold it up. He needed to hold it to stabilize the gun since we had no way of attaching it onto anything at the time, but otherwise it was a good temporary solution. Then to support my trunk, I brought my own chest strap...a 9" x 32" stretchable belt from Sportaid. It can be put up as high on your chest as needed, but it's more comfortable for women because it can be very tight without crushing "the girls". I was ready!
It's hard to trap shoot when you can't move the gun with the target. So, they positioned the trap so it would project the clay pigeons out in a direction that would give me the best opportunity for a shot but it was tricky. I couldn't hit any but the guys kept saying I was close and had the right idea. I told them I was planning on going on my first turkey hunt in March, so they set up a clay pigeon on a corn stalk at about 25 yds for me to try. The first attempt I nicked it, but the second shot I hit!
It was getting late and they wanted me to have a go at shooting a pigeon. They decided to keep me in the field there and bring the pigeons to me. They rigged up a box they could open from a distance to release the bird. The trick was to position the box so that the pigeon would fly up and out close to where I could shoot it. HA! It was entertaining to watch at least. Never got a shot off because out of four birds, none of them flew even close to where I could take a shot. It was an amazing experience anyway and I can't thank the guys who helped me enough for all they had done.
The Start
Below is an article I had written that describes an experience I went through over a year ago. Interestingly, it was a personal struggle which eventually became the catalyst to a new chapter in my life...and what led me to here. Thought it would be fitting to share as my first post.
Pressure Sores...They're Not Just Skin Deep
Anyone living with a SCI has to deal with the risk of skin breakdown. A small red spot can turn into an open sore within a day if conditions are right, and into a crater in a few days if unattended. Pressure ulcers left untreated can lead to bone infections and in the most serious cases death.
Prevention is always preferred but is often sidetracked. Then there is the healing game, and that can be a long rollercoaster of a ride. Long amounts of time staying out of your chair for sometimes weeks at a time. Believing that it’s healed only to have it open back up again. Then there’s the option of a skin flap surgery which adds at least 2 more months of healing or more if infection is found in the bone.
I heard of people trying to heal a pressure sore for 1, 2 sometimes 3 years or having reoccurring ulcers even after surgery. I shamefully admit that at one time I would think to myself, "What are they doing? Why can’t they get rid of the sore and keep it from coming back?" Well, I guess I found out first hand that it’s just not that simple!
In 25 years of living with a SCI, I’ve avoided getting a full blown pressure sore up until two years ago. I had no idea how long the healing process could take, nor what changes I’d have to make in my life because of it. Probably the biggest impact though has been the strain I felt on my emotional state.
At first I was very angry with myself. I went 23 years without a problem with skin breakdown. Did I think I was invincible? Then I had to deal with being lectured on how I needed to stop doing my own transfers and stay out of my chair until it was healed. Was that even possible? I live on my own and only have help in the mornings. I have students to tutor, and I have responsibilities! Do I put all that on hold? For how long?
Do people who are overweight stop eating food they shouldn’t? Do smoker’s stop smoking? How many of us speed knowing we could get into an accident? Why does anyone do things we know could have a lasting negative impact on our life? One word…PRIORITIES! I’m not advocating to be reckless, but there is something to be said for the choices we make.
No one made the message clearer than Jean Kluesner, RN, MSN, who I saw in the Wound Clinic at UW Hospital. Reflecting on her 16+ years of wound care experience, she took a different approach. She would say that addressing my emotional needs was an important part in healing a wound, "There’s what you should do...and then there’s the reality of needing to live." She would describe what conditions the wound needed in order to heal, and then she would tell me to work my life around that. It actually made me look at my priorities differently so I could make better choices about what I was willing to give up and what I felt I needed to do.
Most of the sore healed quickly, but there was a tiny track that just wouldn’t close. After 9 months of trying different things, we started making arrangements for surgery. About 19 months after the initial visit to the clinic, the wound was finally repaired and healed.
How did I pass the time? I kept my mind busy...I read, watched cooking shows & movies, tried to learn Spanish, played games on the computer, and exercised. I stayed connected with friends. I took on projects by helping to plan and organize upcoming races and I became the editor for a SCI newsletter. I also took the opportunity to reflect on my life. Then I got offered an opportunity to write about outdoor recreation for a website for disabled hunters. Suddenly, I had something to look forward to and my life didn't feel like it was passing me by...it had purpose again!
Pressure Sores...They're Not Just Skin Deep
Anyone living with a SCI has to deal with the risk of skin breakdown. A small red spot can turn into an open sore within a day if conditions are right, and into a crater in a few days if unattended. Pressure ulcers left untreated can lead to bone infections and in the most serious cases death.
Prevention is always preferred but is often sidetracked. Then there is the healing game, and that can be a long rollercoaster of a ride. Long amounts of time staying out of your chair for sometimes weeks at a time. Believing that it’s healed only to have it open back up again. Then there’s the option of a skin flap surgery which adds at least 2 more months of healing or more if infection is found in the bone.
I heard of people trying to heal a pressure sore for 1, 2 sometimes 3 years or having reoccurring ulcers even after surgery. I shamefully admit that at one time I would think to myself, "What are they doing? Why can’t they get rid of the sore and keep it from coming back?" Well, I guess I found out first hand that it’s just not that simple!
In 25 years of living with a SCI, I’ve avoided getting a full blown pressure sore up until two years ago. I had no idea how long the healing process could take, nor what changes I’d have to make in my life because of it. Probably the biggest impact though has been the strain I felt on my emotional state.
At first I was very angry with myself. I went 23 years without a problem with skin breakdown. Did I think I was invincible? Then I had to deal with being lectured on how I needed to stop doing my own transfers and stay out of my chair until it was healed. Was that even possible? I live on my own and only have help in the mornings. I have students to tutor, and I have responsibilities! Do I put all that on hold? For how long?
Do people who are overweight stop eating food they shouldn’t? Do smoker’s stop smoking? How many of us speed knowing we could get into an accident? Why does anyone do things we know could have a lasting negative impact on our life? One word…PRIORITIES! I’m not advocating to be reckless, but there is something to be said for the choices we make.
No one made the message clearer than Jean Kluesner, RN, MSN, who I saw in the Wound Clinic at UW Hospital. Reflecting on her 16+ years of wound care experience, she took a different approach. She would say that addressing my emotional needs was an important part in healing a wound, "There’s what you should do...and then there’s the reality of needing to live." She would describe what conditions the wound needed in order to heal, and then she would tell me to work my life around that. It actually made me look at my priorities differently so I could make better choices about what I was willing to give up and what I felt I needed to do.
Most of the sore healed quickly, but there was a tiny track that just wouldn’t close. After 9 months of trying different things, we started making arrangements for surgery. About 19 months after the initial visit to the clinic, the wound was finally repaired and healed.
How did I pass the time? I kept my mind busy...I read, watched cooking shows & movies, tried to learn Spanish, played games on the computer, and exercised. I stayed connected with friends. I took on projects by helping to plan and organize upcoming races and I became the editor for a SCI newsletter. I also took the opportunity to reflect on my life. Then I got offered an opportunity to write about outdoor recreation for a website for disabled hunters. Suddenly, I had something to look forward to and my life didn't feel like it was passing me by...it had purpose again!
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