Full story here: http://www.idahostatejournal.com/outdoors/he-is-just-too-crippled-to-be-shooting-a-rifle/article_9ae982ab-ca70-5f50-a529-c8ebdd1a40f4.html (http://www.idahostatejournal.com/outdoors/he-is-just-too-crippled-to-be-shooting-a-rifle/article_9ae982ab-ca70-5f50-a529-c8ebdd1a40f4.html)
QuoteDuring the first week of summer camp in 1992, a Scoutmaster approached me at registration and told me he had a young Scout in his troop who suffered from muscular dystrophy. The Scout was adamant about getting his rifle merit badge.
"I'm afraid he is just too crippled to shoot a rifle," the Scoutmaster explained. "He can't walk and he doesn't have the arm strength to use crutches to walk. He is confined to a wheelchair, and we will have to carry him up to the shooting range."
He also went on to explain that he had promised his parents that he would take good care of him if they would let him go with the troop to Scout camp.
The next day the troop up the hill with Tim on the Scoutmaster's shoulders. I quickly ascertained that Tim could sit at the shooting bench and use his hands to stabilize himself and shift his position right or left as needed. A smile came over his face as I told him that in a way, it was a blessing that he didn't have the strength to hold the rifle up himself. That was because I was going to teach the boys to use a sling to support the rifle. All that was needed was his arm bone structure. The sling would hold the rifle for him and was perfectly in keeping with the requirements for the merit badge he sought.
The full story is well worth reading.
Great story... I've passed it on!
Thank you
Thank you! I just ordered the digital copy on sale for $5.99. Ended tomorrow, glad I saw this thread today!
My older brother was in a wheelchair from age eight (polio). He had developed strategies to steady a shot despite some REAL physical limitations, and was deadly accurate. Thank you for reminding me. Bob has been gone 30 + years now.