Nothing Is Impossible
By Ernie Noordenbos

   It was impossible for our family to prepare for or even imagine the life changing event which occurred when our son Kevin was involved in an automobile accident on February 13, 2003. Kevin suffered a closed head injury which put him in a coma for four months. Kevin spent a total of eight months in the hospital and another year and a half in rehabilitation. Initially Kevin was not expected to survive and required surgeries due to the life threatening complications. We were told that if Kevin lived through the first four weeks, there was a less than 25% chance that Kevin would ever leave the hospital. Kevin’s mother, Marilyn, quit her job the day of the accident and stayed with him to help with his care and recovery. Marilyn said she would never leave her son alone and she would be bringing Kevin home with her. Through the Grace of God and a mother’s love, eight months after the accident, Marilyn brought Kevin home.

   Kevin was not the same boy that he once was. He could not walk or talk. His mind was like that of a very young child. I struggled with my emotions and it took some time for me to realize that I had to give up the “Kevin” we had and be thankful for the new “Kevin” we had now. I do not know why our family was given this journey, but I do know we have been blessed by it.

   Everyone in our family hunts. We hunt all the seasons; archery, muzzleloader and rifle. We were not sure if Kevin would ever be able to hunt again. Kevin was determined that his disabilities would not stop him. Kevin was in an outpatient rehabilitation program with intensive physio and speech therapy. We were beginning to understand his speaking and he could walk short distances with assistance. We made modifications in our hunting tactics and made the extra effort needed to get Kevin out hunting. Five weeks after Kevin came home from the hospital, he got a whitetail buck with his muzzleloader. Three weeks later, in almost a foot of snow, his brother Jeff got his wheelchair into a wooden box blind with a small propane heater. Kevin harvested another whitetail buck. Kevin has continued to harvest some trophy class bucks over the last few years but has been unable to participate in the archery seasons. Kevin’s walking and talking has greatly improved but he is still very much disabled. He cannot stand to shoot as his balance is impaired and he has reduced upper body mobility. He can shoot a crossbow and a rifle using a rest, but is unable to shoot a conventional bow.

   In 2004, we started the process of trying to obtain a permit which would allow Kevin to use a crossbow during the archery seasons because of his disabilities. I wrote many letters and met with government representatives explaining Kevin’s situation, but the outcome was always the same. No crossbow permit! We were told that we needed more support from other interested groups before the Minister of Manitoba Conservation would endorse the changes to Manitoba’s policy on the use of crossbows. I called numerous groups asking for support in our endeavors but even though they sympathized with us, they would not support us.

   We continued our struggle over the next three years and even though we made some progress, we still had no success in reaching our goal. While reading my issue of “Bowhunter” magazine in January 2007, I became aware of the organization called the Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America Inc. We became members and received an information package from Karen Vought the secretary. I was over whelmed at what this organization has done for physically challenged people all across the US and Canada. How they are working with other organizations and governments to make necessary changes to allow the use of adaptive archery equipment. The next step I took was to talk to Frank Zsenak, PCBA president. This was one of the most enlightening conversations that I had since we started our task three years earlier. One thing Frank told me, which I will never forget is, “The key to gaining support for the use of a crossbow or other adaptive equipment is education. Most people are unaware of the special equipment and the need for the disabled bowhunters.”

   We started meeting with government officials in person so they could get to know Kevin. We attended a large 3-D archery tournament and had a table with all the literature Karen could send us on display. Archers and bowhunters saw for themselves what Kevin had to go through just to shoot a crossbow, not to mention trying to hunt. PCBA information, letters from members and signed petitions were sent to the Manitoba Wildlife Federation, Archers and Bowhunters Association of Manitoba, Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Associations, Members of Parliament and other government departments. The various groups were becoming educated in regards to the needs of physically challenged bowhunters and our support was rapidly growing.

   Our efforts were strengthened in early September 2007, when PCBA members Frank Zsenak, Cliff Willever, Phillip Muller, Patti Ann Ridgway and Jim Morella were in Minnedosa, Manitoba for some archery deer and bear hunting. We met with key representatives from Manitoba Conservation to discuss the importance of the needed changes to the regulations. These key officials have been working over the winter months on these changes and just need to finalize some details. We have been told that the Province of Manitoba will be allowing the use of crossbows and other different adaptive equipment for all archery seasons by means of a special permit starting in 2008. After four years, our quest and Kevin’s dream was about to become a reality.

 This struggle, like Kevin’s recovery, was lengthy and often times very discouraging. The setbacks only made us stronger, making us push harder. Through it all, we met some extraordinary and wonderful people who gave us the strength and support to reach our goal. Our appreciation goes out to each and every one of you. We wish to thank the PCBA and especially Frank Zsenak and Karen Vought for your dedication and enthusiasm for the great job you are doing for the PCBA.

   Nothing is impossible!! Have faith and never give up and remember you don’t have to do it on your own!

 

Physically Challenged Bowhunters of America Inc.
2152 Route 981, New Alexandria PA 15670

President Frank Zsenak, NJ   frankpcba@comcast.net
Secretary/Treasurer Karen Vought, PA   
mkvought@comcast.net
VP Aubrey Gale, MI   
Aubrey@scentlok.com
Past President Drew McCartney  
macs@gorhamtel.com 

Board Members:
 Marvin Vought, PA   
superquad07@comcast.net
Kent Davis, KS   kdavis@cmselectric.com
Steve Bricker, WY 
ctranch@collinscom.net
John Brod, IN
JRBROD1@aol.com
Jake Jacobsen, OH   
jakebeau@earthlink.net
Skip Lloyd, KS  
bowhunt@ucom.net
Renee Dean, IL
reneemdean@gmail.com
Mark Bergin, NY
mbergin1@nycap.rr.com

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