Welcome to Shootopia   

SHOOTOPIA - A state of mind reached only by

enjoying and excelling in the shooting sports.

Thanks for stopping by. This is my first attempt at a web site. I hope you enjoy it. Like many other sites, this one is always under construction. I greatly welcome your input, both positive and constructive. If you know of anything to contribute, or if there are any broken links, please let me know.

Whatever spare time I have is nearly consumed by competing in air rifle shooting. As a result of my dedication in this endeavor, I am the most successful shooter among my peers in the country, and one of the 20 best in the world. In my division, I am a 12-time National Champion, and I have competed in international matches around the world. Somehow, I have done all of this despite the conditions I face every day.

I was born with spina bifida, which is an underdeveloped spine. In addition to my physical limitations, I grew up with a learning disability, which made it difficult for me to follow directions. A sport like shooting makes me follow directions, not just to shoot well, but to shoot safely. For me, shooting has had an incredibly positive impact on my life. I personally credit my success in shooting with my ability to have a fulltime job, a social life I never imagined possible, and the opportunity to see the world. Being disabled would have greatly hindered - if not totally prevented - those parts of my life from being realized. What I find most interesting about shooting is that it uses so many of the body's resources. No other sport places such great demands on concentration, eye-to-hand coordination, motor skills, and vision all at the same time in order to perform well. Ironically, I had difficulties with all of those faculties in my youth.

Of all of the sports in which I could take part, how did I get involved in shooting? Actually, shooting is not the first sport in which I was a success at one time. My participation in wheelchair sports dates back to 1978. Less than a year before, my mother died from a cerebral aneurysm. Rather than watching the world go by through a window, I needed some activity to occupy my time. I was very fortunate to hear about wheelchair sports from a physical education teacher. Soon afterward, I attended a workshop on wheelchair racing and other sports at the local high school. Less than three months later, I won the first two of over 400 medals, plaques, and trophies I would accumulate over several years. However, in 1987, I was in a serious racing accident, resulting in a concussion and 12 stitches above the right eye. As a result, I became apprehensive about competing, and I would never seriously race again.

Later that year, I attended a demonstration of shooting at the same place where I was first introduced to wheelchair sports. This was the first time I ever held a rifle. Afterward, the person conducting the workshop encouraged me to pursue shooting, as he felt I could compete on a high level. Apparently, he has an eye for talent, since he is the head coach of the United States Disabled Shooting Team. Just a few months later, I earned a slot on the US Team. Since then, the rewards for hard work and dedication have paid off many times over.

OTHER PAGES TO VISIT

Special Thanks.

A description of the sport in which I have chosen to excel.

My accomplishments, including years and locations.

This is not an inexpensive sport. Would you care to help me out?

Words of inspiration.

Pictures of me in action.

Pictures of Sydney, Australia.

A Top Ten List.

Some thoughts on the Columbine High School tragedy.

Links.

My employer's web site.

Stop those annoying pop-up windows from appearing.

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