Last Sunday was the day I've been looking for a long time. I am MS patient but simply are addicted to archery. Since I live in The Netherlands, I can shoot 3D only. I had a bad MS-attack since oktober last year, followed by a serious flu, sinisitus, bacterial infection, more MS and so on. I was going downwards and doubted if I ever could shoot the bow again.
March the 18th there was a big 3D tournament, not too far away. I checked one week before, there was still place!
I hesitated a lot, not being sure if I was fit anough already, but registered and decided to go there. I did not expect to shoot the whole tournament, due to not completely being better yet (that's an understatement)
I selected after some weighing from my stock 6 wooden shafts. They were all between the 440 and 445 grains. I checked the straightness and corrected some. All they needed now was some fletching.
Then I shot them all a few times to see if no fletching came loose. I shoot in my garden, the maximum distance is 12 yards. When I shot three arrows after each other in a yellow memo sticker, I decided I was ready...
This was all my training the past half year!
Next morning I was there. I had to register with my Peregrine in the hunter-recurves, because it's a hybride and has no proper D-form. Even more difficult... there were plenty of big names there and they all shoot terrifying good. So no lack of challenges today!
Then I started. I missed the maximum three arrows on the first target. And that was it. I missed nothing anymore.
A lot of first hits and a lot of kills with the first arrow. I couldn't believe it! Then we came on a part with distance shots: 6 targets above the 50 yards. I didn't miss one, but for some I had to use a 2nd or even third arrow.
Before I knew it, our group had shot all of the 23 targets. I had a monsterscore. Then it was time for a quick lunch, and to begin with the hunter-round. That means just one arrow for every target. Halfway I was dead-tired and felt ill, but I persisted. I hitted 17 out of the 23 targets with my first arrow and even shot some nice kills. I ended on a beautiful 190 score, and there were a lot of archers who were just above the zero points, due to the plus/minus targets. (Plus/minus: when you hit the wrong target, you get minus 20 points. Mostly the minus target is in front of the plus target, making it very challenging. My favorites...)Wth the 312 of the morning, the total was good for 502.
Then it was time to gather for the prices. I just couldn't believe it: I beated them all! I became first!
My name was called, and I had to go to the jury to receive my price. All archers stood up and aplaused. They had heard about my illness. Man, I was proud! I expected all kind of things, but certainly not this!
I am graithful that the good Lord blessed me with this day!
I just wanted to share this with you guys and girls.
Equipment:
- Customized Cari-bow Peregrine, 45lbs@29" (my drawlenght)
- SBD 6 strands ultra string without silencers
- My own made woodies, Sitka Spruce, 450 grains, 100 grains fieldpoint and a FOC of 9%.
(Find the Hog! My first arrow did....)
(http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/9618/p2110010.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/689/p2110010.jpg/)
:bigsmyl: :thumbsup:
Glad you were able to get out and enjoy yourself, and have an awesome showing to boot! My wife also has MS, and I know all too well how bad it can get you down at times.
Man that is Awesome!! Keep up the good work!
Being outside and enjoying God's Creation and being involved in something you love is good for the Body and Soul ...
rick
Congrats! I am very glad for your success.Good things happen to good guys.
God Bless.
Thanks for your reactions! I won some prices last year, but this one is very special for me. I will always remember this day and thus I will always be remembered to never give up!
That is fantastic! Good for you! Hope you feel better soon.
:clapper: :clapper:
:archer:
Congrats and sometimes it just comes down to good attitude and persistence.
I am so happy for you! You have blessed my day.
Before this year, I had never met anyone with MS. Now I know how much it can mess with how you live your life. You have my utmost respect for meeting your challenge head-on, and coming out a winner. Your determination and skill overcame many advantages of your fellow archers. You are my Hero today.
Killdeer
Good on you brother! Thats inspiration!
good job !!! congrats
What Mudd said!
A great day and a fine shoot !!
Congratulations and may there be many more.
THATS AWESOME :thumbsup:
Yes it is true, MS DOES mess up your life, but don't forget it is YOUR life! You may have MS, but that does not necessarily means MS got you! :deadhorse:
Awesome!
Congratulations!! You are "the man" again.
:bigsmyl: :bigsmyl: :bigsmyl:
I know you love them.LOL
Abe
Well Done! What an uplifting and inspirational story. MS certainly DOES NOT have you!
Congrats on your outstanding shooting and strength of character. It sounds like your fellow archers are a great group also. :clapper:
Congratulations Sir. That is the best thing I have read in a long time! Thank you for sharing that fine day with us.
Congrats! I would very much like to visit the Netherlands again. Very beautiful country.
Congratulations on such a fine and upstanding accomplishment. May your recovery be ever lasting.
Outstanding!!!
Way to go! Great story. :clapper: :clapper:
Your story has truly brightened my day. Thanks :clapper:
Good deal my friend,you're an inspiration to us all. :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
great story,my brother in law has MS .i know it can get rough ,seen it first hand ,but with the proper meds he is ok.way to go out and enjoy yourself,and good shooting!
good mojo!!!
Kudos for finishing and doing so well. Hope you have many more good days. :archer2:
A day you will never forget. Great effort and outcome!
Mike
Congratulations on a great day! You're an inspiration to all of us!
:pray:
Bernie Bjorklund
NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Now that is cool :clapper:
What a great story. I admire your drive. I'm a neuroscience research nurse and work with MS patients on a daily basis. I know how hard it can be sometimes for people with MS.
Congrats on a great shoot!
Best regards
What a wonderful testimony of the love of God!!!!
Many are the afflictions of the righteous , but the Lord delivers them out of the all. Brother I believe you are delivered, That testimony is a great victory. It testifys of the supernaturality of God and how high His ways are above our ways. When He does these things I believe God is saying several things to us. One < I am God. Two I love you> Three I want to show you and the world that I love you!!!
Thanks for this testimony. God bless you, Steve
This is so monster cool Ad! Way to go! You are an inspiration! Thanks
Great Inspiration :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
:bigsmyl: :archer2:
Congrats and thanks for sharing such a personal and inspiriational story with all of us!
Travis
The lord is our biggest advocate. He blessed you and you blessed us with a testament of strength and a talent, not just of perserverance, or your shooting ability, but an example of Gods love. :clapper:
Ad, Great perseverance!
Truly a great day. Perseverance and love of the sport have served you well. Congratulations and "Thank you" for the inspiration you have provided.
Hang in there Ad, way to go!
:clapper: :archer2:
A blessing for my day as well! My mother has MS and fights hard for things that come easy to others. You are a true HERO and brave man!
That's really great, good for you and congrats on the shooting.
Way to go
Very glad for you
:clapper:
:notworthy: :notworthy: Thats all I can say! :notworthy: :clapper:
Bill
That is some Fantastic Shooting!! :wavey:
Excellent!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Congratulations! I think you have inspired us all.
Bob
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: determination, motivation persistance. good on you sir
Persitence pays.
Good shooting and overcoming your demons.
Truly inspiring!!!!! :notworthy: :notworthy:
Praise the Lord!
Hey Ad! Way to go sir! :wavey:
Wow. Wonderful day & a wonderful story! Really glad you shared it with us. Makes me want to get out & shoot! Congratulations on a fine & well-deserved win. You earned it!
:thumbsup: Sounds like you had one awesome day.
Congratulations!
Uplifting story. Thank you for sharing.
I hope your health continues to improve.
Thank you all for your reactions! They are hearthwarming! Tradgang truley is one big family!
MS can be very hard and can have many side-effects: it took my job, my house and some more "friends" then I would like.
For all who asked: no, I don't use any miracle medicines. A long time ago I decided to fight it myself by living strong and positive thinking. I fought muself out of my wheelchair, never looked back and did some spectacular things.
A few years ago I even lost the eye-sight from one eye, due to the MS. The doctors told me I was gonna be blind on that eye forever. I didn't worry and tried to learn to shoot the bow with just one eye. However.... the sight came back and now I can see for 70% with it. The doctors say it's a miracle they can't explain, but I simply knew deep inside it would recover.
I think the best medicine aganst MS is that eternal smile in your hearth and bring joy everywhere you go!
Great come back. Congrats on your success... :clapper:
Ad your resilient spirit exhibits a great example to all of us, especially those who are facing adversity.
What a blessing!
Thank you!
God bless,Mudd
:clapper: :clapper: :archer2:
GOOD :archer2:
Hey, good shooting, Ad! My parents saw a wild boar in Holland a couple of years ago when they were visiting family there.
Great story! I hope you keep getting better
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: Good Shooting, its always nice to have a great score at the end of the day, but every now and then, when it is better than the rest, it makes the day all that more memorable. Kudos, and thanks for sharing the story with us, J
:thumbsup:
Great shoot'n .... never give up what you love
:thumbsup: Very inspiring.
Congratulations on the fine day of shooting.
:archer2:
I am glad for you, my friend. Keep on keepin' on!
Never give up, Never give in :)
Right-On for you :thumbsup:
:clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
and
:pray: :pray: :pray: :pray:
Bisch
Ad, Congratulations on your your WIN, Awesome shooting. You give us all inspiration, keep up the fight. God Bless
I am so very proud of what you have accomplished and
and happy that you could show the world. Your story is especially important to me as I had my left foot amputated and I know how difficult problems can be to overcome. God Bless.
:notworthy: :clapper:
That's great!! Congrats :thumbsup:
Very inspiring! Congrats on your determination, attitude, and awesome results!
:clapper: :clapper: :archer2:
:clapper: :clapper: great day
Thank you for sharing, it's an inspiration to all of us who believe that when god gets you to it, he will get you through it..
And Yes, miracles do exist..
Iam glad you had a really good day .Its little things like this that makes life worth living.I know you feel proud an you should ,I am proud for you god bless ,go defend your title next year
:thumbsup: :archer: :archer2:
Thank you all for your hearthwarming reactions!