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Fish & Game

Hook & Hunting: Helping Disabled Hunters

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Thousands of hunters will take to the Michigan wilderness in two weeks for the start of rifle deer season and nowadays the sport is open to all abilities.

Central Michigan University’s therapeutic recreation program hosted a clinic for the program’s students on the machines available to hunters with disabilities.

“Hunting is such an important thing for people,” says Jessica Stark, a recreational therapist with The Lighthouse Center in Grand Traverse County.

Sometimes accidents force us to give up traditions. Now, thanks to machines like all-terrain wheelchairs, those with physical disabilities are able to take to the woods once again.

“Someone who hunts and has hunted for their whole lives used to be kind of denied to do that,” says Mary Lou Schilling, a professor at CMU, “This allows them access.”

In years past, a paralyzed person or patient recovering from a stroke would most likely have to give up their hobbies.

“This was never available,” says Schilling, “So this is just awesome and it’s been happening probably within the last 10 years.”

Specialized mounts to hold weapons, cams and triggers set to be used with just a single breath and the chairs to get the hunters out there.

“A lot of these wheelchairs can traverse most terrains they can go over logs through the woods,” says Stark.

Getting back to what they love is more than just finding a way to have fun again. Therapists find it can give patients relief, hope and a renewed sense of purpose. They don’t have to give up on the good things in life.

“Giving somebody that back is tremendous,” says Stark, “It gives them a new outlook on life. I still can do things that I did before my car accident or my stroke or whatever.”

“Having these machines, being able to go out and do what they love and not have to worry about anything like that it’s a really cool,” says Evert senior Carly Weinberg, “Cool things.”

This is the future awaiting these students, finding ways to make life worth living once again for their patients.

“To see them realize that they can do something like that again, it’s pretty amazing,” says Stark.

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