$4,471 raised
·40 donations

Stand Up For Brian
Donation protected
We're a group of veterans from SD and ND and suppoters from across the U.S and Canada who came together for an incredibly memorable pheasant hunt in Cresbard, SD in November 2015.
Brian Nelson is a Navy veteran buddy of ours with multiple sclerosis, and we were fortunate enough to have a couple of Action Track Chairs on site for Brian to test drive on one of the days.
Seeing the smiles on the faces of Brian and his father Mark as Brian plowed through CRP and corn fields with his veteran brothers was absolutely incredible. Brian's family lives on a few acres of land outside Aberdeen, SD - land that Brian is unable to explore and fully appreciate. We would love nothing more than to be able to raise enough money to purchase one of these amazing Action Track Chairs for him.
Please read Brian's full comments below, but really all you need to know is that Brian's time in the Track Chair was "the first time in over four years I felt capable of doing things on my own... nothing slowed the chair down, and for once, I wasn’t shaking. There were no tremors. Under normal circumstances, any physical strain causes every muscle in my body goes berserk, twitching and kicking all directions. The chair supported my body so well that I was totally comfortable and confident. This isn’t a feeling I have been able to have for at least four years. I can’t express the freedom, strength, and ability I was experiencing. It was utterly amazing to be able to stand up and, for once, not be worried about falling."
Help us give Brian his freedom back - Stand Up For Brian!
"How did I end up at a Wounded Warrior Project pheasant hunt in Cresbard, SD this fall?
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was joining the U.S. Navy in June of 2001, just days after my 20th birthday. I completed my electrician’s mate training in Chicago, and was very lucky to be assigned to the naval station in Sasabo, Japan, aboard the USS Essex. During my three years of service on board the Essex, I visited no less than seventeen countries and crossed the equator three times. My job as an electrician’s mate was to keep the ship’s electrical equipment working, and I loved it.
After being honorably discharged from the service in June 2005, I began a career in Los Angeles as an electrician. It was around this time that I began experiencing dizziness and fainting spells any time I went up in a lift. At the time, I was changing out interior lighting fixtures in big box stores. It turned out that as the lift was ascending, the temperature was changing, which I later discovered was what was causing the problem. Shortly thereafter, I visited the V.A. and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
In the summer of 2010, five years after the diagnosis, I found myself unable to continue my working career. I simply ran out of options in sunny California, and called my dad back in Aberdeen to ask for help. Asking my parents for help as a 29-year-old man was a pretty humbling experience - don’t get me wrong, I love my parents and would do anything for them, but I was a young man with the whole world to explore and had always enjoyed my independence. I moved back to South Dakota a few weeks later, where I’ve been ever since.
I regularly travel to the V.A. hospital in Sioux Falls, where I receive treatment for my disease. When I first arrived in Aberdeen, walking was difficult but still possible, but I soon found myself using a cane almost all of the time. For whatever reason, it seems the disease progressed unusually quickly with me and I suffered a number of relapses in a short period of time – “relapses” referring to new or worsening MS symptoms. My doctors tried everything to slow the progression with limited success, until eventually a course of chemotherapy was prescribed. The chemotherapy proved very successful in halting the relapses, but unfortunately the damage to my body is done. I am no longer able to walk and confined to a wheelchair. This was definitely not part of my plan, but I cannot allow myself to keep reliving the past. What’s done is done, and I am so thankful for and all the love and support I’ve received from my family and friends, and everyone else who has helped me along the way.
So, about that pheasant hunting trip…well, I didn’t grow up hunting. As a kid, sports were always my escape. I especially loved baseball and football; any game where I was part of a team. However, with my sudden limitations, I needed to find something new to do. As luck would have it, my uncle, a former service member himself, was helping the Wounded Warrior Project at the archery club here in Aberdeen. He told the WWP coordinator about me; my service, my condition, and my desire to find something to do with my time. The rest is history.
Since then, I’ve been on two hunting trips with the Wounded Warrior Project in South Dakota – firstly, hunting prairie dogs out West River. These trips have presented their own unique challenges; shooting a rifle 300 yards with a body that prefers to move on its own, for example. With the help of Jim, our guide, I learned how to shoot with accuracy.
You might be wondering how someone in my position shoots a shotgun with any degree of accuracy. Well, like most pheasant hunters, it’s pretty hit or miss (mostly misses!). I did shoot at the gun range with what many would consider very little success, but that depends on your definition. I had a blast with my fellow veterans, quickly becoming good friends and supporting each other in every way possible. I know I’d call that a success.
This last trip, a pheasant hunt at Swift Farms, has to be the most memorable event of the summer for me, but probably not for the reason you might think. You see, this time my Wounded Warrior buddies didn’t just arrange a standard hunting trip. When we arrived at the hunt, there was an Action Track Chair waiting for me.
These are awesome machines, built like a tank and capable of going anywhere. This is the first time in over four years I felt capable of doing things on my own. I was able to go where I wanted with no fear of tipping over or getting stuck, and most importantly, I could do it myself. This was just the beginning of a wonderful day for me. All morning I drove the track chair everywhere, but this was just the standard chair model. The company providing this equipment had another chair in their van for me to try out, it allows the user to stand up while operating. After lunch, we tried my luck with this more advanced track chair. It was exactly the same as the regular track chair, with the exception of a five-point harness and knee support braces that go in front of my lower legs. The controller has a button that elevates the occupant to a standing position.
This was the moment of truth, could I stand up in the track chair? I pushed the button and the chair began to slowly raise me up. Andy, my chair company expert, advised me to stop if there was any pain or discomfort. I didn’t even think about stopping! In just seconds, I went from sitting to a standing position. With the chair at full height, I was taller than everyone! My dad began taking pictures as soon as I was standing, but I was off driving through the cornfield stubble. Nothing slowed the chair down, and for once, I wasn’t shaking. There were no tremors. Under normal circumstances, any physical strain causes every muscle in my body goes berserk, twitching and kicking all directions. The chair supported my body so well that I was totally comfortable and confident. This isn’t a feeling I have been able to have for at least four years. I can’t express the freedom, strength, and ability I was experiencing. It was utterly amazing to be able to stand up and, for once, not be worried about falling.
I am so thankful to my fellow warriors and to the Wounded Warrior Project for making this happen for me. If you’re a wounded warrior reading this, get in touch with the WWP and maybe I’ll see you on the next pheasant hunt. And if you’re reading this and you’d like to help me stand up, I thank you for your support."
Brian Nelson
(Note: A fully-standing track chair with all the relevant accessories, delivered to Brian's home, will run just shy of $20,000: http://www.actiontrackchair.com/Inquire-About-ActionTrackChair/Action%20Trackstander.aspx#.VlNhmd-rRE5)
Brian Nelson is a Navy veteran buddy of ours with multiple sclerosis, and we were fortunate enough to have a couple of Action Track Chairs on site for Brian to test drive on one of the days.
Seeing the smiles on the faces of Brian and his father Mark as Brian plowed through CRP and corn fields with his veteran brothers was absolutely incredible. Brian's family lives on a few acres of land outside Aberdeen, SD - land that Brian is unable to explore and fully appreciate. We would love nothing more than to be able to raise enough money to purchase one of these amazing Action Track Chairs for him.
Please read Brian's full comments below, but really all you need to know is that Brian's time in the Track Chair was "the first time in over four years I felt capable of doing things on my own... nothing slowed the chair down, and for once, I wasn’t shaking. There were no tremors. Under normal circumstances, any physical strain causes every muscle in my body goes berserk, twitching and kicking all directions. The chair supported my body so well that I was totally comfortable and confident. This isn’t a feeling I have been able to have for at least four years. I can’t express the freedom, strength, and ability I was experiencing. It was utterly amazing to be able to stand up and, for once, not be worried about falling."
Help us give Brian his freedom back - Stand Up For Brian!
"How did I end up at a Wounded Warrior Project pheasant hunt in Cresbard, SD this fall?
One of the best decisions I’ve ever made was joining the U.S. Navy in June of 2001, just days after my 20th birthday. I completed my electrician’s mate training in Chicago, and was very lucky to be assigned to the naval station in Sasabo, Japan, aboard the USS Essex. During my three years of service on board the Essex, I visited no less than seventeen countries and crossed the equator three times. My job as an electrician’s mate was to keep the ship’s electrical equipment working, and I loved it.
After being honorably discharged from the service in June 2005, I began a career in Los Angeles as an electrician. It was around this time that I began experiencing dizziness and fainting spells any time I went up in a lift. At the time, I was changing out interior lighting fixtures in big box stores. It turned out that as the lift was ascending, the temperature was changing, which I later discovered was what was causing the problem. Shortly thereafter, I visited the V.A. and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
In the summer of 2010, five years after the diagnosis, I found myself unable to continue my working career. I simply ran out of options in sunny California, and called my dad back in Aberdeen to ask for help. Asking my parents for help as a 29-year-old man was a pretty humbling experience - don’t get me wrong, I love my parents and would do anything for them, but I was a young man with the whole world to explore and had always enjoyed my independence. I moved back to South Dakota a few weeks later, where I’ve been ever since.
I regularly travel to the V.A. hospital in Sioux Falls, where I receive treatment for my disease. When I first arrived in Aberdeen, walking was difficult but still possible, but I soon found myself using a cane almost all of the time. For whatever reason, it seems the disease progressed unusually quickly with me and I suffered a number of relapses in a short period of time – “relapses” referring to new or worsening MS symptoms. My doctors tried everything to slow the progression with limited success, until eventually a course of chemotherapy was prescribed. The chemotherapy proved very successful in halting the relapses, but unfortunately the damage to my body is done. I am no longer able to walk and confined to a wheelchair. This was definitely not part of my plan, but I cannot allow myself to keep reliving the past. What’s done is done, and I am so thankful for and all the love and support I’ve received from my family and friends, and everyone else who has helped me along the way.
So, about that pheasant hunting trip…well, I didn’t grow up hunting. As a kid, sports were always my escape. I especially loved baseball and football; any game where I was part of a team. However, with my sudden limitations, I needed to find something new to do. As luck would have it, my uncle, a former service member himself, was helping the Wounded Warrior Project at the archery club here in Aberdeen. He told the WWP coordinator about me; my service, my condition, and my desire to find something to do with my time. The rest is history.
Since then, I’ve been on two hunting trips with the Wounded Warrior Project in South Dakota – firstly, hunting prairie dogs out West River. These trips have presented their own unique challenges; shooting a rifle 300 yards with a body that prefers to move on its own, for example. With the help of Jim, our guide, I learned how to shoot with accuracy.
You might be wondering how someone in my position shoots a shotgun with any degree of accuracy. Well, like most pheasant hunters, it’s pretty hit or miss (mostly misses!). I did shoot at the gun range with what many would consider very little success, but that depends on your definition. I had a blast with my fellow veterans, quickly becoming good friends and supporting each other in every way possible. I know I’d call that a success.
This last trip, a pheasant hunt at Swift Farms, has to be the most memorable event of the summer for me, but probably not for the reason you might think. You see, this time my Wounded Warrior buddies didn’t just arrange a standard hunting trip. When we arrived at the hunt, there was an Action Track Chair waiting for me.
These are awesome machines, built like a tank and capable of going anywhere. This is the first time in over four years I felt capable of doing things on my own. I was able to go where I wanted with no fear of tipping over or getting stuck, and most importantly, I could do it myself. This was just the beginning of a wonderful day for me. All morning I drove the track chair everywhere, but this was just the standard chair model. The company providing this equipment had another chair in their van for me to try out, it allows the user to stand up while operating. After lunch, we tried my luck with this more advanced track chair. It was exactly the same as the regular track chair, with the exception of a five-point harness and knee support braces that go in front of my lower legs. The controller has a button that elevates the occupant to a standing position.
This was the moment of truth, could I stand up in the track chair? I pushed the button and the chair began to slowly raise me up. Andy, my chair company expert, advised me to stop if there was any pain or discomfort. I didn’t even think about stopping! In just seconds, I went from sitting to a standing position. With the chair at full height, I was taller than everyone! My dad began taking pictures as soon as I was standing, but I was off driving through the cornfield stubble. Nothing slowed the chair down, and for once, I wasn’t shaking. There were no tremors. Under normal circumstances, any physical strain causes every muscle in my body goes berserk, twitching and kicking all directions. The chair supported my body so well that I was totally comfortable and confident. This isn’t a feeling I have been able to have for at least four years. I can’t express the freedom, strength, and ability I was experiencing. It was utterly amazing to be able to stand up and, for once, not be worried about falling.
I am so thankful to my fellow warriors and to the Wounded Warrior Project for making this happen for me. If you’re a wounded warrior reading this, get in touch with the WWP and maybe I’ll see you on the next pheasant hunt. And if you’re reading this and you’d like to help me stand up, I thank you for your support."
Brian Nelson
(Note: A fully-standing track chair with all the relevant accessories, delivered to Brian's home, will run just shy of $20,000: http://www.actiontrackchair.com/Inquire-About-ActionTrackChair/Action%20Trackstander.aspx#.VlNhmd-rRE5)
Donations
Organizer
Matt Wetenkamp
Organizer
Aberdeen, SD