04-22-2013, 02:23 AM
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]In our continuing effort the improve the fishing opportunities for those we serve, One problem continues to plague us.Specifically, how can we assist paraplegic individuals in catching their ownfish? Being in a wheelchair is problematic enough, but having no ability to use your body from the neck downcreates a myriad of problems…..One can’t cast and certainly not retrieve a fish.I can, or one of our volunteers can cast the bait out, but reeling in the fish is not an option. With no solution in sight, we left it up to a greater power to find a solution and today one came in the form of Tommy George.[/size][/font]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]Tommy is handicapped. Contacting polio in his youth left him with limited ability to use one of his arms, but this certainly didn’t slow him down as he has lived a full and complete life as an insurance executive and gifted singer and musician. His amicable spirit is admired by all that know him and when I heard that an accident had further crushed his bad arm and that now he only had one arm that was usable I worried, I could not imagine a Tommy George that could not fish, It is one of his great loves.[/size][/font]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]Tommy called me last night and told me that he had something to show me. A scheduling screw up left me with an empty boat for the day and I invited him to join me on Freedoms Dream during the afternoon. After church, where he is the cantor for his parish, we met aboard the boat. His big
radiated as he walked down the dock. His infectious happiness lit up the bright afternoon even more. He carried one rod and a tackle box as he came aboard. His grandson Caleb accompanied him to assist if he should need it. I could see that the reel he was carrying was unusual, but I waited for an explanation.[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font "Calibri"]“I think I’ve foundthe solution for your one armed and quadriplegic kids,” He remarked. “If a one armed old man like me can fish with it….They can to.” He continued.[/font][/size]
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[size 3][font "Calibri"]“Let’s go see.” I told him as I untied the boat from the dock and we were heading out on thelake.[/font][/size]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]Before to long we were in the shallow water and Tommy cast near the bulrushes all the time explaining how the electric assisted reel works. With his one good arm, he engaged a switch that opened the bail and he cast expertly. Again he pushed the button with his good hand and the bail closed as the handle engaged. “Now we need a fish.” He stated as he rested the rod and reel against the rail.[/size][/font]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]Soon we were into white bass and catfish. The specialty reel worked flawlessly. “We can design a gimble belt and shoulder harness for those who can’t hold a rod and all they will have to do it retrieve it with a touch to the control button.” Tommycontinued. [/size][/font]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]He was right. We now possess a tool that will allow the most disabled of kids to fish and further enjoy the outdoors. The reels, sold and manufactured by Adaptive Fishing Equipment, are relatively expensive costing $200 each,[/size][/font]
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[font "Calibri"][size 3]As we move ahead with our mission we will find a way or search for a donor or two to purchase two or three of the specialties reels and make the ancillary harnesses ourselves. That greater power I mentioned before continues to guide and direct us.[/size][/font]
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[size 3][font "Calibri"]If you would like to volunteer aboard the boat or make adonation for this cause, please visit our web page: [/font][/size][url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/"][font "Calibri"][#0000ff][size 3]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/size][/#0000ff][/font][/url][font "Calibri"][size 3].[/size][/font]
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Captain Steve henline]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]In our continuing effort the improve the fishing opportunities for those we serve, One problem continues to plague us.Specifically, how can we assist paraplegic individuals in catching their ownfish? Being in a wheelchair is problematic enough, but having no ability to use your body from the neck downcreates a myriad of problems…..One can’t cast and certainly not retrieve a fish.I can, or one of our volunteers can cast the bait out, but reeling in the fish is not an option. With no solution in sight, we left it up to a greater power to find a solution and today one came in the form of Tommy George.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Tommy is handicapped. Contacting polio in his youth left him with limited ability to use one of his arms, but this certainly didn’t slow him down as he has lived a full and complete life as an insurance executive and gifted singer and musician. His amicable spirit is admired by all that know him and when I heard that an accident had further crushed his bad arm and that now he only had one arm that was usable I worried, I could not imagine a Tommy George that could not fish, It is one of his great loves.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Tommy called me last night and told me that he had something to show me. A scheduling screw up left me with an empty boat for the day and I invited him to join me on Freedoms Dream during the afternoon. After church, where he is the cantor for his parish, we met aboard the boat. His big
radiated as he walked down the dock. His infectious happiness lit up the bright afternoon even more. He carried one rod and a tackle box as he came aboard. His grandson Caleb accompanied him to assist if he should need it. I could see that the reel he was carrying was unusual, but I waited for an explanation.[/size][/font] [font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Calibri"]“I think I’ve foundthe solution for your one armed and quadriplegic kids,” He remarked. “If a one armed old man like me can fish with it….They can to.” He continued.[/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Calibri"]“Let’s go see.” I told him as I untied the boat from the dock and we were heading out on thelake.[/font][/size]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Before to long we were in the shallow water and Tommy cast near the bulrushes all the time explaining how the electric assisted reel works. With his one good arm, he engaged a switch that opened the bail and he cast expertly. Again he pushed the button with his good hand and the bail closed as the handle engaged. “Now we need a fish.” He stated as he rested the rod and reel against the rail.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]Soon we were into white bass and catfish. The specialty reel worked flawlessly. “We can design a gimble belt and shoulder harness for those who can’t hold a rod and all they will have to do it retrieve it with a touch to the control button.” Tommycontinued. [/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]He was right. We now possess a tool that will allow the most disabled of kids to fish and further enjoy the outdoors. The reels, sold and manufactured by Adaptive Fishing Equipment, are relatively expensive costing $200 each,[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[font "Calibri"][size 3]As we move ahead with our mission we will find a way or search for a donor or two to purchase two or three of the specialties reels and make the ancillary harnesses ourselves. That greater power I mentioned before continues to guide and direct us.[/size][/font]
[font "Times New Roman"][size 3][/size][/font]
[size 3][font "Calibri"]If you would like to volunteer aboard the boat or make adonation for this cause, please visit our web page: [/font][/size][url "http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org/"][font "Calibri"][#0000ff][size 3]http://www.handinhandoutdoors.org[/size][/#0000ff][/font][/url][font "Calibri"][size 3].[/size][/font]
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Captain Steve henline]
