Sports Reporter
Thanks to some adaptive hunting equipment and the cooperation of other people, Adam MacDonald of Presque Isle was able to experience the thrill of shooting a deer this past fall.
MacDonald, who suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and has no strength in his arms or hands, was able to make the trip to Skinner Bog Deer Farm in Dixmont accompanied by his mother and step-father, Cheryl and Chris Markey, and family friends David Weed and Tony Boucher.
According to Cheryl Markey, MacDonald’s mother, the trip was made possible through Wayne and Rachel Garnett, who own the deer farm. A scheduled hunt in Texas with musician Ted Nugent, which had been planned through an organization that grants hunts to terminally ill youths, had fallen through, so the Skinner Bog owners were contacted about a similar trip and they obliged.
Cabela’s Sporting Goods had donated all of MacDonald’s hunting gear for the scheduled trip with Nugent, and when notified that the trip had been cancelled, Cabela’s allowed MacDonald to keep the gear. He has used it when hunting in the local area and was able to bring it to Dixmont as well.
During the trip to Skinner Bog Deer Farm, MacDonald’s wheelchair was placed on a trailer, with MacDonald himself riding in the front of the vehicle towing the trailer. Due to a lack of upper body strength caused by the disease, MacDonald had to be held to avoid bouncing around in the front seat on the bumpy roads. Another obstacle was cold weather, which makes it difficult to regulate MacDonald’s body temperature and affects his lungs and heart.
Soon after their arrival, they set up a blind and got his adaptive hunting equipment in place. MacDonald’s goal was to get a Red Deer stag during his hunt and he had opportunities to shoot three of them, but the deer didn’t stand still long enough for MacDonald to get off a good shot.
Toward evening, just before the hunt was coming to an end, Wayne Garnett allowed MacDonald to have a try at a Sitka black-tailed deer, and he was successful.
“Adam thanks everyone that was involved in making this hunt a success for him,” his mother said.
MacDonald has been able to stay active over the years despite his battle with Duchenne.
“Adam has been lucky to have enjoyed more than most boys with Duchenne have been able to, from riding a bike without training wheels, driving go-karts, driving a boat on Squapan Lake, fishing, kayaking, participating in the Special Olympics and driving in the soap box derby,” said Cheryl. “We just try to keep Adam as busy as he can handle and according to his interest, and out in the public eye.”
ADAM MACDONALD of Presque Isle took this Sitka black-tailed deer during a hunting trip to Skinner Bog Deer Farm in Dixmont this past fall. MacDonald suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but still tries to stay active in a number of activities.
