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I. Fishing With Rod and Wheel

by Don W. Smith, Route 2, Guthrie, Minnesota

Since early childhood, I have enjoyed fishing more than any other sport. However, in 1952, at the age of 13, polio struck and, apparently, put an end to my fishing. It left me totally paralyzed from the waist down, with about fifty-five percent of normal muscle function above, and a weak left arm and hand. When I returned home from the hospital in the summer of 1954, my father took me fishing with him. I became very discouraged because I found it too difficult to keep my balance while sitting in the conventional boat seats.

After unsuccessfully trying various types of boat seats, I struck upon the idea of putting my wheelchair directly in the boat, placed crosswise between the seats. It fits well in nest of the modern round bottom boats; but I prefer the new fiberglass boats as they are generally wider arid more stable. Of course, I always take along a life jacket.

Thus, having defeated the problem of a seat, I set about finding a rod and reel I could handle. I found that a spinning outfit consisting of a 7' hollow fiberglass rod and an open-faced spinning reel, with right hand retrieve, suited me best. With this equipment, I can cast, troll, or still fish. I have been able to handle all but one fish I have hooked. This was a huge muskie in the 35 to 40 lb. class. I battled it for ten minutes or more and became tired. My father willingly took the rod and continued the battle for nearly an hour; however, this fish proved to be too much for my light tackle, and we parted company. I can say now that just seeing this fish was the greatest thrill of my life.

In recent years, I have discovered I can even enjoy stream fishing for trout. Frequently, where a stream crosses a road, there will be a pool in the downstream side washed out by high water in the spring. These pools are often easily accessible, and, while sitting in my wheelchair on the banks of such pools, I have caught some really fine trout. I am especially proud of two -- one a 13 1/2" Brookie (see photo), and the other, a l4 1/2" Brown.

The winters are very long in the northern part of Minnesota. This meant that from the first of November, until the last of April, fishing was pretty much at a standstill for me; so, this year, I had a fish house built. It is equipped with a small oil stove so I am assured of reasonable comfort on the coldest days and very pleasant fishing.

It's No Fish Story

by Roy Abell, respo

Lots of people went fishing at Fort Myers, Florida, in June, and Robert was among them. Fishing is his favorite sport, and one night he caught 20 fish. That may sound like ordinary fishing, but there is nothing ordinary about the way Robert fishes. In 1952, when he was 12, he was the victim of polio and has been paralyzed from the neck down ever since. Robert's father, Judge Kemper, came up with a unique invention that made it possible for him to fish once more. He lies flat on an ambulance-type stretcher in the stern cockpit of a boat (or on a pier) and a board is secured to the frame across his legs. The fishing rod butt fits into a socket at his chest. Then the apparatus is hooked up to his dad's invention. A spinning reel is mounted on the board across his legs beside a windshield wiper motor. The motor is connected to a 12-volt battery placed at the end of the stretcher. A starting switch is based on the butt of the rod.

His father casts, then Robert takes over, keeping a keen eye on the line, with a string in his teeth, the string being attached to the starting switch. When a fish takes the bait, Robert starts the switch with a jerk of his head and the motor reels the fish in.

One of his specialities is mullet fishing, using red wigglers, in the St. Johns in his native Georgia. On this trip to Fort Myers, he landed fish every night, including several two and three pound trout.

One day the Kempers went out on a 29 ft. boat, and here we'll quote Robert: "It was kinda rough, about like a rocking bed. A big wave hit the boat and turned the stretcher over on its side. My head and shoulders were on the floor, but it didn't hurt me any. We had an umbrella to keep the sun off me, but the wind tore it to pieces. I nearly got blistered, but I didn't."

And concerning his necessary breathing equipment, "halfway to Florida we discovered we had forgotten my chestshell, so I used the vacuum in the daytime and slept in the iron lung at night." He no longer uses the shell, just the lung at night.

One of these fishing trips, Robert hopes to land a tarpon. It wouldn't surprise his friends one bit to see a mounted "silver king" in the Kemper house in Jonesboro.

-- Excerpted from THE ROCK AND ROLL, publication of the Southeastern Respiratory Center

II. Swimming

That's Revolutionary

by Susan Armbrecht, "Head" Swimming Coach, respo, age 24

Swimming to increase strength and mobility in the partially paralyzed is customary. But "swimming" by the totally and permanently paralyzed for pure pleasure -- that's revolutionary.

Since I was paralyzed 18 years ago, nothing has given me such a tremendous feeling of real freedom as floating serenely and INDEPENDENTLY in a pool: no mattress against my back; no pressure on my tail-bone or heels; none of my usual dead-weight feeling; my smallest movement magnified ten times ten to a flowing sweep of motion. They call me "Unsinkable Susan." I'm guaranteed to float. This is amazing -- almost ridiculous. Paralysis causes buoyancy -- the more paralyzed, the more extremely buoyant. Here's an Olympic which quads can win.

Let me tell you of my first daring summer in a pool. Fear was my greatest obstacle. The little ripples in the water created by other people were terrifying. Being able to move all of a sudden was frightening. But, gradually, I gained confidence as I realized that I could not sink. A whole new world opened up to me. I felt I could "swim" the English Channel -- if it were as pleasantly heated as the pool (80o to 90o).

First, I tried floating on a rubber raft to get the feel of the water's motion. When I felt more secure, I dangled my feet in the water, then the lower half of my body. Eventually, only my head was on the raft. The next step was to have my head held securely around the jawbone while my body floated. Then this was too tame -- just being held up and slowly moved. So we put music on the outdoor speaker and started "dancing." We gently "cracked the whip" -- by rhythmically moving my head. My whole body followed in a delightful, undulating motion. Very exciting! It was scary at first, but a wonderful feeling of really moving.

IT IS THE SINKABLE HEAD THAT RESPOS WORRY ABOUT! So we invented a head-holder-upper. We sewed a child's life preserver so that it made a fat sunbonnet-type of hat, with long ties to secure it tightly under the chin, or to criss-cross the chest or under the arms to tie in back. We glamorized it with plastic flowers. And lo, I was on my own!

Each of us has worked out the most satisfying way of getting in the water. I prefer to be carried in. Mickie, who has some leg strength, is "walked' down the steps, with the support of two friends. Sue is tall and must have her head supported, so she uses the hydraulic lift with hammock and headpiece.

Readers, somewhere near you there is a pool, a lake, or an ocean. If I can "swim", you can too. If you have any questions, write to me: 15985 Nelacrest, East Cleveland 12, Ohio

III. Camping

A Wonderful Experience

by Betty Mielke, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

I first found out about Camp Wawbeek from JoAnn Ulvestad, who had been to Camp the summer before and had a marvelous time. I believe it is the only camp in the United States where an adult handicapped person can stay without an attendant for a two-week period. It is not a family affair. Only the handicapped, between the ages of 8 and 45 can attend. Half of the cost of each camper's stay is paid by the Wisconsin Easter Seal Society, which owns and operates it, and the remaining $60 is paid by the camper himself or some sponsoring organization.

Each camper has a counselor to help him with everything he needs help with and to act as a companion. Most of the counselors are vacationing college students who are planning to be nurses or doctors. They have one rocking bed which JoAnn and I use at different two-week periods. Physicians are on call and a registered nurse is at camp at all times.

There are so many things to do throughout the day that it would be impossible for a person not to find some thing that would be interesting. There is wheelchair bowling, card games, wheelchair ball games, nature-nook, handicrafts, knitting, conferences and lectures on things that are being done and should be done for the handicapped. If you can't bat a ball or hold a hand of cards, a counselor is always there to help. You just tell him what to do.

I think the very biggest attraction is the big heated swimming pool. One of the most exciting things to do is to ride the big trailer, pulled by a tractor, that enables about 25 campers, in their wheelchairs, to go for trail rides in the woods. It is so beautiful -- especially at sundown. The woods seen so peaceful. The pine trees smell so good. You can see so many different birds and hear them singing.

At night there is always one big activity to get everyone together, such as a camp fire sing, or local entertainers, or a costume party, or a wheelchair dance. It is a real dance: a theme is nicked for the decorations, a king and queen and court are selected and a live orchestra plays the music. At the end of our camping vacation a talent show is put on by the staff and campers.

I look forward all year to my two-week camping vacation, not only for the good times, but to seeing my old friends and to making new ones. Every year I have learned a new craft which I can make during the winter and market profitably. Going to camp is a wonderful experience. The Camp is open only to Wisconsin residents. I wish every state had a Camp Wawbeek.

IV. Vacation Directory

DIRECTORY OF U.S. CAMPS FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

This directory, revised regularly, lists camps which are organized and adapted for the handicapped. The majority are geared for children only, but several dozen welcome handicapped adults or the parents and families of handicapped children. Many of the camps are devoted to a specific disorder, such as diabetes, blindness, cerebral palsy; others have a more general service to orthopedic and neuro-muscular handicaps. Price 50cts. Order from National Society for Crippled Children and Adults, Inc., 2023 West Ogden Ave., Chicago 12, Illinois.

DIRECTORY OF HOLIDAYS FOR THE HANDICAPPED IN BRITAIN.

This exciting booklet lists the Organisation, Holiday Camps, Hotels, Guest Houses, Private Homes and Cheshire Homes which offer special holiday facilities for the disabled. Detailed information is included as to facilities and care available, types of disabilities which can be accommodated (from special diets to respiratory polios), age groups, prices (average about 6 pounds per week or $17), and the entertainments and special features of the nearby areas.

The pamphlet was published jointly by The Central Council for the Care of Cripples and the British Red Cross Society. It may he ordered from the latter at 14, Grosvenor Crescent, London, S.W.l for only 2/6 (32cts) plus postage.

"WINGS ON WHEELS" -- TOURS FOR THE HANDICAPPED.

Evergreen Travel Service specializes in travel tours for the handicapped, complete with nursing care, personal aides, and two tour escorts. Last January, eighteen disabled persons from the Seattle area enjoyed a 10-day trip to Hawaii. Following are typical scheduled tours: 21 days in Europe starting September 29. November 1-10 to Mexico City, Taxco and Acapulco. January 6-16, 1964 to Hawaii. Prices include jet air fare, transfers, sightseeing, baggage handling and hotel rooms and meals. Send for brochures: Betty J. Hoffman, Evergreen Travel Service, Box 583, Security Bank Building, Lynnwood, Washington.

MEXICAN RESORT HOME FOR QUADS AND PARAS.

Open year round. Individual rooms, attendant care, good food, companionship and interesting sightseeing. Quads -- $180 a month. Paras -- $120. Males only. Altitude too high for a respiratory polio. Write to: George E. Ray, Cubilete 147, Col. Chapalita, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

PILGRIMAGE FOR THE HAEIDICAPFED TO LOURDES AND PARIS.

All inclusive rate of $598 includes air transportation from New York, hotels and meals. Dates: October 1-9, 1963. For details, write to: Catholic Travel Office, Dupont Circle Building, Washington 6, D.C.

WHEELCHAIR TRAVEL GUIDES.

"Where Turning Wheels Stop." Paralyzed Veterans of America, 7521 Roslyn St., Swissvale, Pittsburgh 18, Pennsylvania.

"Along the Wayside." Al Cohee, 27 F.63rd St., Philadelphia 39, Pennsylvania. l5cts

"New York with Ease." Compiled by a respo, Sandra Schnur. Published by: Association for Crippled Children and Adults of New York State, 239 Park Ave. S., New York 3, N.Y. $1.