Disabled sportsman has hunting wish granted

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Jack Pine Safari, a private hunt club in Lewiston made the whitetail dream of a 16-year-old Onaway youth come true October 1. Tim Perkins has cerebral palsy and is almost not strong enough to hold a rifle.

Tim?s parents, David and Becky, tried to help their son get a deer last year. Getting him to the blind was the first obstacle. They constructed a ramp leading to the blind and then did what other hunters do: wait.

?He and I sat a whole day in the blind and only saw a squirrel,? said Becky. ?He was frustrated with that.?

The family was going to continue their efforts again next month, but received information that might make Tim?s dream come true sooner.

Becky was contacted about a program through the Northeast Michigan Chapter of Safari Club. Arrangements were made with Jack Pine Safari manager Floyd Moore to see if Tim could become their 11th disabled sportsman to participate in the program.

Cerebral palsy is a term used to describe a group of chronic conditions affecting body movements and muscle coordination. It is caused by damage to one or more specific areas of the brain.

MOORE SAID it was late in the afternoon on the second day when Tim not only got the first deer of his life, but it was a nine-point buck.

?I really couldn?t put it into one word,? said Becky. ?He was extremely excited. I do believe t

he picture you (Outlook) have shows the little blood mark they put on his forehead, which he was so proud of. He didn?t want me to wash it off.?

David helped his son sight the deer and Tim pulled the trigger. Moore said Tim?s case made it one of the more challenging disabled sportsmen his organization has ever worked with.

?He is a great kid,? said Moore. ?He had a hard time doing it, but thoroughly enjoyed it.? Moore said it is difficult to explain the ?joy? and immeasurable rewards one feel when making the wish of a young disabled person come true. ?It?s unbelievably rewarding,? said Moore.

?These are wonderful, wonderful people to do this,? said Becky. Back at home, Dave?s buck of four years ago, the only one mounted and hanging in the living room, may be coming off the wall, said Becky. ?David told Tim he was going to have to throw his away because Tim?s was bigger than his,? said Becky. ?I thought Tim?s face was going to crack in half, he grinned so wide.?