I walked into the emergency room with severe neck and back pain. Like many patients, I was given the typical protocol and prepared to go home. As I slid to the edge of the bed to be discharged, something changed. Within minutes, my body stopped responding. What began as severe pain turned into paralysis from the chest down; I was now a quadriplegic with no movement in my hands.

In a matter of moments, life split into before and after.

The days that followed were filled with shock, uncertainty, and an overwhelming question: What now? Every day tasks would look different. Independence would require adaptation. And the passions that once defined me — especially hunting — felt impossibly far away.

For someone who grew up in the woods, whose year revolved around seasons and early mornings in a stand, the loss hit deeply. Hunting wasn’t just recreation. It was identity. It was tradition. It was connection. Without hand function, I assumed that chapter of my life had closed.

But adaptation has a way of reopening doors.

Through innovative equipment from Be Adaptive Equipment, I began to see a path back — not the same as before, but real and achievable.

I use the LM100, a specialized limited mobility shooting mount that provides secure stabilization and can be used for my crossbow or firearm. The mount allows me to safely position and steady my equipment without relying on grip strength or hand movement. Because I have no hand function, I fire using the TM100 – Trigger Mechanism, activating the shot with a controlled pressure bite.

The first time I returned to practice, there were nerves. It had been a long road to reach that point — physically and emotionally. Adjustments had to be made. Angles had to be learned. Confidence had to be rebuilt.
I lined up my shot.

I bit down.

Bullseye.

Not close. Not “good enough.” A perfect center shot.

In that moment, something powerful happened. It wasn’t just about accuracy. It was confirmation. Proof that this wasn’t symbolic participation. I wasn’t simply present — I was capable. The mechanics had changed, but the skill and determination remained.

Last season was about practice. About repetition. About refining the setup and building consistency. I haven’t harvested a deer yet, and that’s okay. The goal was preparation — learning the equipment, trusting the process, and rebuilding confidence one shot at a time.

Each practice session reinforces what that first bullseye proved: paralysis changed the method, not the passion.

The 2026 deer season now carries hope. Not pressure — anticipation. The possibility that when opening day arrives, I won’t just be testing equipment. I will be pursuing the harvest again. And when that day comes, it will represent far more than a successful shot. It will symbolize resilience, innovation, and the refusal to let a life-altering event dictate the boundaries of my future.

Be Adaptive Equipment is doing far more than manufacturing adaptive gear. They are restoring access to identity. Their mounting systems, paired with accessible trigger solutions, allow individuals with physical disabilities to return to the outdoors with independence and confidence.

For families who hunt together, that impact extends even further. Hunting is rarely just about the harvest. It’s about legacy. It’s about quiet conversations before sunrise, shared tradition, patience, and presence. It’s about belonging in the woods — not watching from the sidelines.

To the Kyler family, thank you. Your dedication to creating adaptive solutions makes stories like this possible. You are not simply building equipment; you are rebuilding confidence. You are preserving tradition. You are giving individuals the opportunity to reclaim something deeply personal.

Last year was about rebuilding.

This year will be about harvesting.

But that first bullseye already made one thing clear:

I’m back.

And the woods are waiting.

– Troy Ervin