As the population of our planet increases, so does the frequency of physical handicaps.
These conditions occur in two forms. The first form is congenital anomalies, or conditions that a person is born with
The second type of physical handicap is one that a person acquires sometime during their life, such as with an illness or injury.
Today we are going to discuss some handicaps and people with these conditions who have overcome them to pursue a sport they dearly love… fishing.
Handicaps cannot keep serious anglers off the water. The old adage, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way,” really applies to these hardy souls.
Many of the individuals who acquired their physical handicaps during their adult lives were already serious fishermen. For this group it was a matter of adapting the sport around their disability.
If, for example, an angler lost their leg in an accident, they could modify their fishing technique to cut down on the number of steps necessary to make a fishing trip.
They may, however, require some assistance from another person.
At this point we should discuss the key factor in having a person with any handicap enjoy a fishing trip. That person MUST have someone else with them to help when needed.
Many times only minimal help is required, but having someone handy in case of an emergency is crucial to letting the handicapped angler relax and have a good time.
It is also important to remember that most people with physical disabilities don’t want to be fussed over. They need a certain measure of independence in their lives.
The helper should only help when they have been asked. The handicapped angler should be allowed to succeed, or fail, on their own as much as possible.
Neurological conditions, such as stroke, can also cause physical handicaps. These anglers require a bit more assistance than others with less severe conditions.
The main thing the helper must keep in mind is not to tell the handicapped angler, “You can’t do that.” It is up to the individual to ultimately decide what they can and cannot do.
For anglers confined to a wheelchair, fishing is a special challenge. Not only is a helper essential now, but certain conditions must exist to ensure both the safety of the angler and their enjoyment of the experience.
Special care should be taken if the wheelchair angler is going to fish from the bank. Be sure they are close enough to be effective without taking any chances of them rolling into the water.
If the wheelchair is to be used on a boat dock, be sure the wheels are securely locked. Also be sure the handicapped angler has an approved personal flotation device on at all times. Take no chances with safety.
Another consideration for the handicapped angler is convenience. Take some time to be sure that everything they will need is within their reach.
Tackle, rods, reels, nets and even the cooler should be positioned so that these anglers can be as self-sufficient as possible. The fewer times they have to ask for assistance, the more fun they will have.
Besides wheelchairs, walkers are also commonly used by disabled anglers. Sometimes these devices are only needed to get to and from the fishing location or the boat.
Be sure the fisherman using a walker has a level, solid path to use. Soft ground or sandy banks are prime places for a walker accident.
Check out your area before the trip. A little planning can go a long way when helping a physically handicapped angler.
Vision impaired people can also have a great time fishing. Blindness has been successfully overcome in almost every aspect of life. Fishing is no different.
The next time you’re out in the boat, close your eyes for several casts. You will find the experience different, but not impossible. It is much like fishing at night.
The main thing a vision impaired angler needs is a helper to “spot” their casts. This is done by having the visually handicapped person hold their rod out in the direction they intend to cast. The “spotter” then guides them audibly with “left” or “right” instructions.
Once the rod tip is pointing in the correct direction, the helper gives the angler an approximate distance to cast and the cast is made.
With some minimal practice, this technique can be lots of fun and very productive, for both the people involved.
Besides physical handicaps, mentally handicapped people can enjoy fishing as well. My mother spent 20 years teaching the mentally challenged.
I can remember when she and my father would invite one of her students to accompany us on afternoon fishing trips. They always had the most fun of all of us.
Special attention must be given to mentally challenged fishermen. Their understanding of the sport may not be at the fullest. Much patience much be exercised in order to meet all the needs of these special anglers.
But trust me on this, the satisfaction you will get from helping a mentally challenged person catch a fish will far outweigh any inconvenience the event may have caused you.
Both physically and mentally impaired individuals have as much right to experience and enjoy fishing as the rest of the population. They obviously have special needs and requirements necessary to make fishing for them both fun and safe.
And remember, you and I could join this group in the blink of an eye.
Someone must have the concern and the compassion to volunteer to help these people participate in this sport.
These handicaps only limit these people if they allow them to. With help from the rest of us, a very important and very often overlooked portion of our society can enjoy the pleasures and relaxation of a day of fishing.
(Mike Roux can be reached at roux@adams.net.)
