inspirational !

[phester]

During lunch today I was down at my local ramp eating lunch in the truck with the a/c on. Nothing much happening at the ramp so I go up to the overlook that sits above the channel. I see this guy in his boat kneeling in a crouched position next to his helm. He wasn't moving much at all so I thought maybe he was hurt or just passed out or something. I grab my binoculars for a closer look. His back is to me and I can see his head moving....I thought he was vomiting. O.K., no big deal, so I'm checking out his boat, a 19' Whaler outrage w/ a 150 4s yammi. Suddenly the guy gets to his knees and I see him spit something into a blue plastic cup on the console. Then his head goes down to the floor and he comes back up to spit something in the cup again. He does this two more times and then he gets on his feet. The guy has no arms, gone at the shoulder,both of them. Turns out he spilled something on the deck and was cleaning it up. He goes back down to his knees and like a bird pecking at seed he too is eating his lunch. At this point I got back into my truck because I didn't want him to see me "spying" on him. [I am about 200 ft. away up on a small cliff] The guy finishes eating and gets into his seat, w/ his toe, trims the motor down and w/ both feet he starts the motor, a stock keyed ignition. Right foot dumps it in gear and he throttles up. The steering wheel had this doorknob looking thing mounted to the wheel and he placed his left heel into it and spun the boat around 180* and took off toward the ramp. Now I move down to the ramp because I want to see if he's coming in off the water. I guess he wasn't done yet because he cruised right pass me w/ three rods in the holders and headed up river. I hope one day I run into him again so I can tell him how he lifted my spirit and at the same time how I was humbled. Amazing.

[willy]

That is amazing, how in the heck does he tie on lines and the knots etc. unhook fish, wow

[macojoe]

I grew up with twins that were born with no arms. Both could write there names as good as you and I with there feet!! They used a fork with there feet and in later years I saw one of them at a lake driving a Jet Ski using yep you guessed it his feet!!
Truly amazing! Him I wonder if this was one of them??

[overboard]

Hearing stuff like tha really makes you count your blessings, and it also inspires me to do the best with what the Lord gave me. What a guy, I'd love to meet him!

Got to give God thanks for good health everyday. Already teaching the kids how important it is. That is a moving story...Life is what you make of it.Here's to him.
Probably catches more fish then I do.

[phester]

before I left the ramp,I slowly drove passed all cars w/ trailers to try and figure which vehicle was his. Sure enough I spot a Ford Explorer w/ the same doorknob thing on the wheel....parked NEXT to a handicap spot. I saw no other modifications on his boat other than extra cushions under his seat to give him a little more height....I guess that helps when you drive around w/ your left leg. If I didn't have to get back to the job, I'd have stayed there all afternoon waiting for his return to the ramp. Oh yeah....he did have a power winch on his trailer. JJbroc, your right, he could probably out fish most of us.

[randlemanboater]

Thanks for the story Phester.

[reelapeelin]

...and all the whusses who complain about they can't load/unload their boat by themselves...just ain't motivated enough I guess...

[phester]

Originally Posted by reelapeelin

...and all the whusses who complain about they can't load/unload their boat by themselves...just ain't motivated enough I guess...

oddly enough I've got a good friend like that, REEL, he's got a nice 20' Robalo cc, rigged to the max,on a like new roller trailer, and it just sits in the driveway....can't handle the "rigors" of the launch/retrieve[??????] it's a shame because it's a nice boat. Go figure. BTW, the boat is for sale.

[Blue_Runner]

That is cool Phes....very cool.