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Illana Burkhart Wheelin' Sportsmen Coordinator |
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Flock together
You've heard the saying "birds of a feather, flock together," which says that people with like interests tend to find each other. It's true for Wheelin' Sportsmen. Even though the program draws people with various disabilities, young and old, men and women, they've found common ground at our events.
Crystal Hammond and Beth Shank, two Wheelin' members in Ohio, met at the Toledo Express Airport Wheelin' Sportsmen Turkey Hunt. Usually men outnumber women at Wheelin' hunts, so the two forged an instant bond. At this year's turkey hunt, they shared another special connection: They gave birth to baby boys just a couple days apart this August.
Benny Smith and Raymond Bostic are staples at Wheelin' events in South Carolina. Their first Wheelin' event was in 2002. Since they live 20 minutes apart, the hunt coordinator introduced them beforehand, so they could ride together. They've been inseparable ever since. According to Raymond, meeting Benny has been a blessing. Raymond's disability includes memory problems, so Benny goes with him to appointments to help him remember directions and road names. The two also enjoy fishing and hunting together throughout the year.
Two Georgia members, Tim Spell, a paraplegic, and Tim Stanfield, a quadriplegic, also became friends at a Wheelin' hunt in the early days of the program. They are known as "the Tims" and have traveled the country together fishing and hunting. They have similar disabilities, so they know how to help each other, which makes traveling together easier. Their families also have become close. When Tim Stanfield's kids graduated from high school, the Spells were there.
Wheelin' Sportsmen has forged countless friendships. It also has brought several individuals to the forefront of the program, some of whom are featured on this page.
Even with a wide array of backgrounds, the people who make up Wheelin' Sportsmen have two things in common: We are passionate about the outdoors and want to share our love of it with others.
The camaraderie you'll find at an event is unparalleled. Our different paths in life bring us there to share our stories, our expertise, forge relationships and become a part of something greater. — Illana