Breaking Barriers: Group offers hunting experience to people with illnesses, disabilities

By Cory Olsen
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — On a chilly morning this past May, a pair of bright yet dark eyes peered out from a ground blind and searched a tree line bordering a field.

A mist hung over the landscape as the teenage hunter worked to remain still while panning her view back and forth, searching for a glimpse of her intended prey.

Caitlin Sall, 17, was getting an opportunity of a lifetime: a turkey hunt provided by the Michigan Outdoor Heritage Foundation.

Founded in 2006, the foundation’s goal is to provide people with the ability to enjoy the great outdoors regardless of illnesses or disabilities, according to The Grand Rapids Press.

Sall has been through plenty in her life to limit her, but she is certain it won’t slow her down.

After being diagnosed with a cancer called synovial sarcoma in 2012, Sall received eight rounds of chemotherapy and 31 rounds of radiation at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital over the course of 10 months and was declared in remission in the spring of 2013.

Hunting and fishing with her father and brother is a way for her to stay close to family and nature, she said.

“I’m really close to my dad and I feel like this is a reason why,” Sall said. “There’s just something about being out in nature in God’s creation, it’s just so peaceful.”

“Each one of these kids inspires me,” MOHF board member Ben Terpstra said. “What they deal with is unbelievable, the strength they have, the spirit they have, to be going through their struggles in life and continue on with smiles on their faces and rolling with the punches.”

Terpstra and foundation director Bill Zawila, along with other foundation guides, took five hunters deer hunting in October at the Valhalla Ranch in Grayling after first outfitting them with appropriate cold weather hunting apparel at Cabela’s.

“Every year is just amazing to go up and do that, to be a part of that,” Terpstra said. “It’s one of those things that’s really hard to describe.

“I enjoy going on these hunts much more than going out by myself.”

Ryan Attema, Susie Kluting, Rodney Berens, Bree Town and David Galinski each bagged a buck, but Terpstra contends it’s about much more than that.

“You get so many different reactions because we have so many parts,” Terpstra said. “We’re not just taking them out to go hunting. We’re giving them the whole experience of deer camp, being with other people, bonding with other people.

“What’s nice about this is they get to hang out with other kids who have similar disabilities or illnesses. They can see they’re not alone in their struggles. The camaraderie of the deer camp, it’s the whole experience we try to bring to these kids.”

The foundation leans on the support from numerous sponsors such as Gentex Corp., Zeeland Farm Services, Cabela’s and other western Michigan businesses.

They also host a foundation fundraiser each year. This year’s event will be held Jan. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Holland Fish & Game Club.

“We all have the same goals — to bring these experiences to these kids,” Terpstra said.

“I couldn’t be more lucky to have met these guys in this foundation.”