Tred Barta is a famous contemporary sportsman. Perhaps you have seen his TV program: "The Best and Worst of Tred Barta." Barta holds numerous world Records in Sport Fishing and has hunted big game all over the U.S. His T.V. show features astounding accomplishments such as shooting a flying Mallard with a bow and arrow and hunting wild hogs with only a knife. Suffice it to say he is a Sportsman's Sportsman.Tragically, in May 2009 he suffered a paralyzing "spinal stroke" and has been confined to a wheechair ever since. Apparently Tred had a rare but treatable blood disorder that accelerated clogging of arteries supplying blood to the spinal cord.
Despite these adversities, Tred has started hunting again and has even been skiing in Vail. He returns to TV on the Versus network and will recount his illness and rehabilitation as well as his continued fishing and hunting while confined to a wheelchair. The new episodes will offer Turkey Hunting in Michigan and a sequence on the bear he shot in Oregon using an "off-road wheelchair."
Furthermore, Barta has been a great proponent of "giving back." He has raised over $1,800,000.00 for children's charities with fishing tounaments and contributions from his endorsements. One must commend such genrosity and commitment.
In discussing his paralysis and its effect on his life, Barta has exclaimed: "Don't take a single second of your life for granted." These are words we should all tape to our computer monitors and the dashboards of our cars or other places which we see on a daily basis. A reminder such as these words from a man such as this certainly should cause us all to treasure our time with our family and friends doing the things we enjoy during the short time we have in this dimension.
Tred, you truly are an inspiring Sportsman!
3 comments:
I so admire people like this. One of our favorite outdoorsman in these parts, Tim Farmer, shares a similar story. He hosts a local hunting/fishing program: http://fw.ky.gov/tfarmer.asp?lid=1528&NavPath=C701
Thank you for making us aware of this fine man. A true inspiration.
I'm facing my own adversity while giving serious consideration to elective amputation. In 2007 I was hit by an uninsured driver in a bad automobile accident resulting in the complete knackering of my foot and ankle. I'm living with a fused ankle, but wanting to get back out in the woods for a hike. I am making preparations to go under the knife again.
Thanks for the inspiring story of this gentleman. I feel somewhat cowardly after reading of his fortitude.
Not all attorneys are scoundrels. ; )
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