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     Jackson Co. Chronicle Guest |
Published - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 Feeling right at home; USSA gives 19-year-old Eric Corey the chance to hunt by John Groth of the Jackson County Chronicle  Eric (left), Doug and Carol Corey, who are from Knox, Ind., attended the United Special Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) and Safari Club International's (SCI) event held Saturday in Pittsville - just outside of Black River Falls. There were 75 children who traveled to the event, located at 7864 Shotwell Rd. Eric, 19, was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease in 2001 and he is the youngest person to ever be diagnosed with the disease. Eric Corey's life revolves around hunting. The 19-year-old from Knox, Ind., has lived in the country and around nature his whole life - hunting animals such as deer, turkey, coyotes, rabbits, squirrels, and even coon. So Saturday, at the United Special Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) and Safari Club International (SCI) event he felt right at home in Jackson County. In 2001, at the age of 15, Eric became the youngest person ever diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The disease, which affects a person's motor neurons, brain's muscle-controlling nerve cells and spinal cord, has no cure. Just six months before, his grandfather passed away from it. The USSA helps children with disabilities and illnesses achieve their hunting dreams. In its fifth year, the charity has granted over 2,000 children wishes. James Lakeman,Seventy-five children and their families from 10 states attended the event in Jackson County USSA chairman of the board, sees the group helping children, not only with hunting, but in gaining friends. "Relationships are formed here," Lakeman said. "Kids all have the opportunity to feel like they're normal." Eric doesn't like to talk about his disease, though. That's how he deals with it. Instead, he focuses on his experiences, the relationships he makes and the people he meets during the trips - people such as Brian Bush. Two years ago, Bush, who owns a sporting goods store in Chesterton, Ind., contacted Eric. Bush found out about Eric's love of hunting and wanted to take him on a hunting trip to Africa. While there, Eric came face-to-face with a cape buffalo - an animal which is nicknamed "black death." The cape buffalo is widely known as the most dangerous animal in Africa, as it kills more people than any other animal there. But, Eric didn't let that fact stop him from hunting and killing it - just like he doesn't let the disease stop him from hunting. So, the two drove through the African landscape and stalked the dangerous buffalo. Once they found the herd and moved into close range, Eric picked up a 375 high-power rifle and, with one shot, sent one to the ground. While it lied on the ground, he blasted two more shots into the buffalo to finish it off. "When it's about 30 yards from you and looking at you, it's kind of nervewracking," he said. "That's the most nervous I've ever been in my whole life." But, that wasn't his only kill there. Eric also hunted and killed three zebras, an eland and an impala. For Eric's parents, Carol and Doug Corey, Saturday marked the first time they had traveled with their son on a USSA trip. The Corey's made the eight hour drive in their camper and arrived Friday morning to 7864 Shotwell Rd. in Pittsville. But, they've made family hunting trips much further than that. "It's fabulous how all the organizations can get together and do this for these kids. You couldn't ask for a better place with all the activities," Doug said. "Here they're all the same. They don't see themselves as having disabilities here." Eric wouldn't have found many of his hunting opportunities without the assistance of Brigid O'Donoghue and the USSA. O'Donoghue has helped Eric to go on two USSA deer hunts, including his most recent trip to Alaska for a bear hunt in June - where he stalked and killed a 300-pound black bear from between 20 to 25 yards away with a 7-magnum in one shot. "Brigid told us when we applied for the first time that she would keep Eric hunting," Carol said. Doug added that O'Donoghue's not a pussycat when it comes to giving these children their hunting wishes. "She'll claw with her arms and legs and come out and win her battle. She's made his dreams come true that, probably as parents, we couldn't have done," he said. According to Doug and Carol, there are many organizations willing to help Eric. He's traveled to Canada, provided by Hunt of a Lifetime - where he killed three caribou and went snow goose hunting. He's gone coon hunting in Benton, Ky., with Daryl Newton, who owns a world-champion coon hound named Silver Dollar Stone. Newton even gave Eric one of his coon hound's babies. "There are even organizations (that) make phone calls to us," Carol said. "He doesn't turn them down. Eric jumps on every one of them." Lakeman believes giving these children opportunities is what the organization is all about. "We take these kids and give them adventures and give them an opportunity for success. A lot of these kids hear a lot of negative things. That's what a lot people don't understand," Lakeman said. "You go to doctors and your blood's not doing well, your blood counts down, you blood count's up, you better get your red cell count up, or we're having problems with this right here, so we're going to have to put you on another treatment. So, all they hear are a lot of negative things in their life. So it's a complete change that takes place in a lot of these kids. What you want to do is give them something positive - some kind of experience where they can walk away and go 'geez, I've succeeded in something'". Eric's dream is to be a hunting guide. But for now, he's happy hunting, along with visiting and meeting the different people throughout the trips. | ||
| Jackson County Chronicle Guest |
Published - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 Bone cancer doesn't stop Kudrna by John Groth of the Jackson County Chronicle  Jordan Kudrna didn't believe he could have cancer - not at the age of 14. Two years ago, Kudrna, who's from Hixton, was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a bone cancer which was located in his back and sacreum. During that summer, his right leg started to hurt. So, he went to the doctor to find out what was wrong. After a few more visits - what Jordan originially thought was a sprain turned out to be a tumor. During that same period, Jordan's aunt met Brigid O'Donoghue. She had wanted to get something in the local newspaper about her nephew. O'Donoghue noticed and ended up calling Kudrna. O'Donoghue is president and founder of the United Special Sportsmen's Alliance (USSA) - which she describes as a nationwide wish granting charity for children with life threatening illnesses and disabilities that provides them with outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting and camping. She founded the charity in 2000. Last year, she granted 1,000 children wishes and this year is up to more than 400. Two weeks from now, O'Donoghue will head to Washington to do a fishing event on a yacht. Next, she'll travel down to Georgia for another and then to southwestern Illinois to take two terminally ill adults fishing before heading to Texas. She's constantly on the go - all for the USSA and making children's wishes come true. This past January she received the Outdoor Youth Mentor award. Seventy-five children attended the USSA and Safari Club International (SCI) event Saturday in Black River Falls. And most had met or been helped by O'Donoghue in some way or another. Kudrna has already gone on two deer hunts, two turkey hunts, an elk hunt and a bear hunt. But he says he's liked all of them the same. His whole family hunts and that's how he first became interested in it. His first hunt ended up being the elk hunt - an animal he had never hunted before. "I was excited to go hunting for elk," he said. "We've traveled many miles with Brigid and it was fun." Kudrna's met many new friends - young and old - too. He's met Cory Graham, a 19-year-old from Kansas. He's met Bridget's son, Kenny. He's met Eric Corey, a 19-year-old from Knox, Ind. He's even met NASCAR driver Ward Burton and hunted with him. "Brigid took us out to Virginia and we went out on Burton's preserve and went hunting." Kudrna said. "I liked driving out there, seeing the land and staying a few days with them." James Lakeman, who is the chairman of the board of the USSA, added that these events change children - giving them confidence that they've never had before. "They (parents) see a big change in their children. A lot of times they'll see them moping around the house or sleeping all the time. And I think one of things that it is is the adrenaline. For them, they never experience adrenaline," Lakeman said. "So what happens is, I think that adrenaline gets in their body and all of a sudden they go 'this is what life is supposed to be about.' When they come back from one of these trips or one of these events, they're so keyed up that a lot times they forget about what's going on in their lives." Last July, doctors told Kudrna the cancer had gone into remission. "If I wasn't out in the woods with them, I would probably just be sitting at my house," Kudrna said. A few minutes later, Kudrna was already back to hanging out with people and swimming in the lake. And anyone who happened to watch him wouldn't believe that two years ago, he was dealing with bone cancer. Whenever he goes to these events, he always enjoys them. "I look forward to having fun, swimming, fishing, meeting new people - just having a good time," he said. | ||
| Jackson Co. Chronicle Guest |
Published - Wednesday, July 20, 2005 Two friends, one happy reunion by John Groth of the Jackson County Chronicle When Cory Smith sums up the USSA and SCI events, he describes them as a family reunion of friends. And he's right - he's got a whole family of friends there to not only support him, but interact with him. That's what these events mean to the children involved - interaction. Saturday was Cory's fourth event. He'd previously been on an elk hunt, Texas deer hunt, hog hunt and in June, flew to Alaska to hunt - where he even shot and killed a 500 pound bear. All it took was one shot to the heart. According to the USSA chairman of the board James Lakeman, Smith's bear is a record for both the SCI and Boon and Crocket record. But, Cory could care less about the record or how much the bear weighed. "I don't really care where it ranks. It was just the experience," he said. "I was shaking. It felt like your heart was just going to pump out of your chest." But throughout 19-year-old Cory's chest and blood stream, there runs a disease - one which he has lived with for over five years. He even knows the exact date of his diagnosis. On March 6, 2000, Cory was diagnosed with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), meaning that he has clone red blood cells which attack and kill his platelets and white blood cells causing him to have low blood counts. He must urinate the clone red cells out at night to keep his blood count up. At one point, Cory was havening to get platelets every other day and blood each week to help battle the disease. Then, a couple years ago, he had his spleen removed. Ever since, he's been a lot better. Though now, he's still looking for a bone marrow transplant. "If I start bleeding it takes a long time to stop. So, I have to be careful," he said. In 2001, Cory heard from a man named John Mozingo, who serves on the USSA's board of directors. Mozingo lives about 15 minutes from Cory and called him asked him if he liked hunting. Then where and what kind of hunt he'd like to go on. Cory's choice ended up being elk hunting - and from there, Brigid O'Donoghue set everything up and made it happen. Then, in December of 2004, Cory met Justin Jackson. He and Jackson, a 15-year-old from Fort Worth, Texas, both went on the Texas deer hunt - and liked hunting together so much that they both met up again for a hog hunt, also in Texas. The two live four hours away from each other. Justin, who was nine weeks premature, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. "Part of my brain was bleeding and I had eye trouble. I still do to this day," he said. Justin uses crutches to help him walk, but loves hunting and being able to explore nature. "I try to get out, but most of the time I'm stuck at home. If it wasn't for Brigid, I wouldn't have ever met Cory or my friend Miles. I'd probably be sitting at home if it wasn't for her," he said. "I just like being able to experience the ability to hold a rifle and see white-tailed deer. They're one of the most beautiful animals I've ever seen." The two boys even have a hunt planned together in Illinois sometime in November. Lakeman knows all too well about these children's plights and frustrations. When they are diagnosed, the illness hinders and limits them. "A lot of times what we find is that these children either spend so much time in the hospital and they don't get outside much. Their whole lives change once diagnosed with something," Lakeman said. "You see a lot of parents with kids that were playing sports - all that evaporates. Now you spend all your time going to doctors, hospitals, going to specialists. Then when you're home, you're quarantined because you don't want to endure any additional illnesses." The illness becomes a routine. And the USSA and SCI were formed to get children out of that routine - to have them experience life, to understand nature and, most of all, to give them a chance to have fun. The events also teach children about culture and customs, too. While in Cake, Alaska, Natives made the children paddles and bracelets, along with teaching them tribal customs. "The whole town came out to greet us at the air strip. They were the nicest people I've ever met," Cory said. Lakeman also believes that conservation is an important lesson for children to learn. And he believes it's important to give back - much like he, Brigid and other volunteers are doing for these children. "Once you leave your man-made environment, and that's where a lot of stress in your life comes from, you step out here into the outdoors, which is God's world, you begin to get a little bit of a feel for actually how small you are on this planet," he said. "It gives you an opportunity to put a lot of that stress behind you. That's what kind of neat about coming here doing these kinds of things." For people like Cory and Justin, the neat thing is that these events give them something to look forward to. And some friends and relationships that they'll never lose - or forget. | ||
| Chad Schieler Guest |
I would like to post a special thank you to all the USSA kids, their families, Brigid, ProCats, Randy Oitker, his mom and dad, for a special treat in WI. We shot some great video! Brigid will be getting an edited DVD to share. Cant wait to shoot more of these priceless momements spent enjoying the outdoor sports. God Bless. Chad Schieler | ||
| melissa Neitman Guest |
Chad Schieler, Thank you so much for giving the kids a chance to shoot the bow. My kids had a blast. Our Little Logan only 2 1/2 shooting the bow was so cute. The bow was bigger then him. He had so much fun and thought he was such a BIG kid that day. Cathing a fish, shooting a bow, all the worries and cares in his little life were washed away that day and it was all about fun and excitement. Thank you and Bridgid so much for taking a little boy and making his day the BEST! You will forever be in our hearts and we love you both. Melissa |
