My husband Jason is currently living with ALS and he has been an avid hunter his whole life. He especially enjoys turkey and deer hunting and has mentored our three children in the woods, Emmersyn (14), Wyatt (12), and Easton (11) since they were old enough and they all harvested their first deer with him.
Our family lives near Mountain Top, PA. Jason recently received an exciting opportunity through the Disabled Hunters Program in Pennsylvania. He told them that he wanted to help the kids get their first turkeys. The Disabled Hunters Program made arrangements for Jason and the kids to go to North Carolina to Fair Game Outfitters for a guided hunt. Jason’s cousin Chad Seltzer drove Jason’s outdoor buggy all the way down to North Carolina so he would have it, and he also got to go out with the kids as a mentor.
We stayed in their cabin and had all meals prepared for us, and each kid had their own guide to take them hunting. All three kids got their turkey on the very first day. Jason and the kids were all so excited to take part in this experience. We can’t say enough about the guides of Fair Game Outfitters and the arrangements made by the Disabled Hunters Program!
Since Jason was diagnosed, we’ve received excellent care and support from the Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center team and our friends at ALS United Mid-Atlantic. Everyone we have worked with through the ALS Treatment Center has been helpful and given us all the information we have needed and who to contact as this disease progresses. They are always anticipating our needs and questions.
Jason and I have experience in healthcare. Both of us have been Doctors of Chiropractic. I’ve actually recommended Dr. Zachary Simmons and the team at Penn State Health Hershey Medical Center to one of my patients who had ALS because I knew that they would receive the care and compassion they deserved.
ALS is a scary diagnosis. You need a team that will guide you through everything. Our nurse at the Penn State Health ALS Treatment Center, Kerstie Keebaugh, RN, has been a real ally and friend. She talks with Jason about everything, from updates on the family to his hunting trips to wrestling. Kerstie has been a blessing to us and we know that if we need something, it will be here within a couple days.
When you are out on a hunt, you need to trust the people around you. We know we can trust our ALS team as well. Thanks so much to Fair Game Outfitters, the Disabled Hunters Program, Kerstie, Chad, and everyone who helped to give our family an experience we will never forget!