| Author | Message | ||
     Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 429 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.44.151  |
About a month ago I was contacted by Children’s Hospital to see if our charity would grant a wish to a critically-ill 24 year old. I told them we had no limitations on age or disability and would love to grant his wish. I had to purchase plane tickets, so I asked the hospital if it would be his mother or father joining him, and they replied he really didn’t have anyone in his life but his 92 year old Great Grandma. I paused for a moment pondering the gravity of that statement. I put myself in his place and in an instant; I told the hospital I would take him! They gave me Chris’s contact information, and within a week I got in touch with him. I found him to be very well spoken, introspective, with a profound passion for all sports. He told me how much fishing meant to him and he couldn’t believe a charity would grant an adult a wish. I asked him if he had ever gone hunting, and he said he only shot a doe, so we decided we would make his wish a hunting and fishing trip in Florida. After they de-iced our plane, we left Minneapolis, and landed in Orlando in 75 degree weather. We met up with Troy Jens (USSA) and drove to J&R Outfitters, owned by Joey Bayon in Indiantown, FL. We walked into his lodge and we were all in awe over the rustic beauty of the lodge. Joey took out his photo albums and showed Chris pictures of hunting trips he had taken in his lifetime, which heightened the anticipation for the following days hunt. We headed to the field around 7:00 the next morning with hunting guide Kevin Roberts in a specialized “bog buggy” that won’t get stuck in muddy, wet areas. Later that morning the dog found the scent of a wild boar and the chase was on. About a half hour passed when the boar bayed up on a dry hump backed up to a tree. After getting out to get a clear shot we were all surprised to see the boar coming at the buggy; and we all jumped back in to stay out of harm’s way. The ruckus continued right under our feet! Fortunately the dogs eventually pushed the boar out from beneath the truck, and Chris was able to select a clean safe shot, which he exercised with perfection. The nice boar weighed in at 250 lbs field dressed. Chris expressed an interest in deer hunting as well and that afternoon, we headed back out in search of a red deer stag. Upon entering a large grassy knoll, we spotted two nice stags feeding across the field. Getting set up, we waited for an opportunity to get a clear shot. When that opportunity came, Chris was up to the task again. The big stag gave a kick, and was down shortly afterwards. After walking up to examine the downed red deer; it is easy to see why they were so prized by royally for over 2500 years. They are truly magnificent, and this one was a fine specimen. Chris and I soon found out that getting a 400 pound stag up into a truck was no easy task! Those hours spent in the gym really paid off as every muscle in my body was pushed to the limit. Chris was so exuberant, that he said “This is ABSOLUTLY the best day of my life” as the bog buggy wound its way back to the lodge that afternoon. Before heading out on the last leg of the journey, we were treated to a ride on an air boat, which is pushed along by an airplane propeller. These shallow draft boats are real exciting and can literally “spin around on a dime and give you a nickels change!” We were both in awe at the performance of this strange looking boat and enjoyed the unique experience of riding in one. The last leg of our journey leads to Roland Martin’s Marine on the famous 448,000 acre Lake Okeechobee, known for its bass fishing. Our host, Captain Mark King is one the most sought after and busiest Lake Okeechobee fishing guides; we knew we were in for an excellent fishing experience. The water levels can be dangerously low during periods of drought; so years back; large holes were dynamited into area bays to help big fish survive in the deeper holes in these trying times. After having dinner with Captain Mark and his wife Diane that evening, we settled in and watched the beauty of a Florida sunset; while Chris dreamed of the possibilities tomorrow would bring. The day was beautiful, and Chris caught numerous nice largemouth bass. Alligators would be sighted sitting on the shore sunning them which was a unique experience for those of us from the north. The largest bass of the day was a 7.3 lb giant that gave Chris all he could handle before it was finely landed, weighed and re-leased. On behalf of United Special Sportsman Alliance (USSA) I would like to thank J&R Outfitters, Captain Mark King, Roland Martin Marina, Troy Jens, and the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation for making a young man’s dream come true. Brett and Deanna Favre are involved in many worthwhile causes to make the lives of less fortunate and challenged Americans, far better than they had been before their help. Their family has been a blessing to the state of Wisconsin in so many ways, and words cannot express our gratitude for their assistance in providing valuable community services! May God bless you all. Brigid O’Donoghue | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 430 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.44.151 |
  Chris and Kevin Roberts | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 431 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.44.151 |
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| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 432 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.44.151 |
  Chris and Captain Mark King | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 442 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 67.54.184.87 |
Last Saturday I attended Christopher’s funeral. Like usual I was running late and got to the funeral about 10 minutes before it started. I walked into the room and I could hear “Christopher’s voice”. As I got closer on the television was the footage I had taken of him in Florida. He and Captain Mark were looking at the HUGE bass he caught. I heard someone say, “Look how happy he was”. As I looked around the room I could see the sorrow and tears, but yet I notice how moved the crowd was by the footage. Even though Christopher was in Heaven, he was so alive in that room; the footage was helping ease the pain and suffering endured by family and friends. When the funeral was about over they play another piece of footage where Christopher talked about his hunt and how much it meant to him. He had a big smile and sparkle in his eyes, and he was on cloud nine! God bless you all. Brigid O’Donoghue | ||
| Zz_1 Member Username: Zz_1 Post Number: 15 Registered: 06-2007 Posted From: 69.19.14.34  |
Bless you Brigid O'Donoghue we all love you! Nuff said. ZZ | ||
| Joel_espe Member Username: Joel_espe Post Number: 148 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 75.100.2.88  |
Great pictures and impact on a young man's life. | ||
| Mitch_p Member Username: Mitch_p Post Number: 247 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 71.244.237.252  |
Brigid I have followed these post for a long time with joy and a saddened heart. It just amazes me the courage and strength these young people have. I always thought I could relate and understand what they were going thru. Well just before Thanksgiving my niece was diagnosed with Hodgkin`s disease at the age of 18 and I found out my perception and understanding`s were way off. After reading some of her journal it gave me a real understanding of how young people deal and handle the trials of life. Thank you and Ussa for sharing all the heart warming stories. And by the way my niece was givin a prognosis of 93% success. We need to look to the right, then the left and when the answers aren`t there we need to look up. | ||
| Ussa Member Username: Ussa Post Number: 443 Registered: 03-2006 Posted From: 70.41.44.29 |
Mitch, Looking "up" is a wonderful answer; he is there always listening to your prayers. When I met Christopher he didn’t have a personal relationship with God and was very much afraid of dying. They called me from the hospital and told me he didn’t have long to live, and he wanted to talk to me. Christopher told me he was very afraid of what was happening to him, and I reassured him that he didn’t have anything to be afraid of, for he was the “lucky one”, chosen at a young age to spend the rest of his life with God. At the age of 43 it is special people like Christopher and reading the bible that really help me understand the meaning of pain and suffering and praying always for the strength for what lies ahead. While Christopher and I were fishing with Captain Mark and Troy Jens, I had a feeling come over me that was quite strong. Our charity has a lot of children nationwide who want to go fishing, but we don’t have enough anglers to answer all their wishes. I looked at Christopher and told him I had an idea, and I knew the right people to open the door for me. On February 27, I will be in Florida speaking at the FLW national fishing tournament to 400 professional anglers, and I know Christopher will be with me in spirit. Your niece will be in my prayers and may God bless you both! Brigid O’Donoghue |
