About 6 years ago I had the priviledge of teaching a 12 year old boy how to shoot and handle a rifle safely, then put him on a stand where he shot his first deer. Several years later, I helped his father buy him his first rifle and shotgun. In recent years I looked forward to his Christmas and Spring vacations from Prep School so we could go deer and turkey hunting together.

He is an expert kayaker and leads eco-kayak tours during the summer to earn his own spending money. He also loves surfing, fly-fishing, mountaineering and many other outdoor activities.

This fall he began his freshman year at the University of Colorado. He chose Colorado because he wants to study Conservation and Wildlife Biology and ultimately pursue a professional career in the outdoors.

Two weeks ago (December 14th), shortly before he was to come home for Christmas, he was climbing in the mountains near Boulder, Colorado. While rappelling down a mountainside an accident occurred and he fell, severing his spinal cord. He has been recovering in Intensive Care ever since. Last week he endured a 10 hour operation and is now breathing on his own and aware of his surroundings and medical situation.

His name is Vijay; here are some excerpts I would like to share from an email I received today from his family:

"Vijay is making good progress. He is out of the ICU and the last of the tubes draining his lungs of fluid is out. He is in a private room now at the hospital. He is totally alert and has complete movements of his arms and body above his chest. He suffered no head injury and his mental capabilities are as before the climbing accident."

"Vijay will be going to the Craig Hospital in Denver on Monday the 29th. We checked out the Sheperd Center in Atlanta which is also a outstanding facility. However, since Vijay loves the mountains and the outdoors he felt that Colorado would help him recover psychologically sooner. Craig Hospital will take him on field trips to the mountains as soon as he can get in a wheel chair."

"He is expected to be at Craig Hospital for about 60 days - during which they will teach him how to be independent and live on his own. He will re-learn to drive with his hands, move in and out of his wheelchair, and carry on with his daily life as he did before. He will learn to swim again and strengthen his muscles. He wants to go kayaking, hunting, snow boarding and climbing again - all of which he will be able to do with determination and practice."

"Vijay's psychological outlook is going to be exteremely important as he works through this tragedy. He goes through periods of extreme sadness as he wants to get up and go jogging like he used to. However, he is dealing with the reality of the situation."

"If you e-mail him please give inspiring, up-lifting encouragement. His e-mail address is kayakervj@hotmail.com. He does not want anyone feeling sorry or pity for him. He does not want to feel sorry for himself. He has a great attitude and wants to go back to college and outdoor activities as soon as he can."

"His will power and determination is tremendous. He has become our teacher, mentor and inspiration. Our personal challenges in life now seem so insignificant."

"We have hope and prayer on our side. There is a lot of experimental research going on in this field which could return movement to the part of his body that is paralyzed. His spinal cord has been severed about 95%. They classify this as a "complete transection" as he has no feeling below his chest. However, 5% of the people with "complete transection" have regained different levels of sensation. So we are hopefull."

"Hug your parents, kids and grandkids for us. There is tremendous strength and power in this love and it has a healing effect."

"God bless!"

Vijay is an exceptional young man from a wonderful family. I have no doubt that he will overcome this challenge and go on to a promising career in the outdoors. I look forward to taking him deer hunting once again next year.

Please take a minute and send Vijay a short email message offering him support and encouragement for the difficult times that lie ahead as he begins his rehabilitation.

However, please keep his family's advice in mind. He does not want pity. But, the encouragement of fellow hunters from around the world will help him maintain a positive attitude as he adjusts to the changes in his life. Tell him a hunting story, or talk about what you like to hunt and where you live. He loves to talk about wildlife, hunting and the outdoors.

Thank you.

Mark, PM sent..sakofan...

Sakofan, thank you for taking the time to send an email to Vijay!

Support from his family, friends and fellow hunters like you, will help him get through the tough times that lie ahead.

Your kindness will make a difference. Thank you!