Disabled guns enthusiast
Donación protegida
So, here is my story, folks.
My name is Yuri. I was born and grew up in the Soviet Union. The first year of my life I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy – severe, incurable genetic disease. The ugliness of this illness is that the body cannot develop muscles. It's kind of funny, but, believe it or not, being 46 years old I am still using the rest of the same muscles I was born with – and they slowly die, year-by-year, day-by-day, hour-by-hour. I could never walk. Never was able to lift anything heavier than a pound – but even that was far, far ago when I was a teenager. Now all I can do is working on the computer with the help of assistive technologies, and somehow operate my power wheelchair.
I cannot remember, how it started, but everything about firearms has always been one of top interest in my life. As you can imagine, in the Soviet Union access to guns for citizens was, let's put it softly, restricted. Outside the military and police only members of hunting clubs and officially approved sportsmen had opportunities to get familiar with very limited examples of firearms – of course, I could not even dream about participating in those activities. Also (surprise!), there was no Internet, and, due to my conditions, I could not even go to a library to search for the information I was eager for. So a couple of books and popular magazines with articles about guns was my only source of information, and I read and reread them through, again and again.
Later, when the Internet became widely available, I finally got unlimited access to tons and tons of information and knowledge, which I was, and still have been absorbing like a sponge – dimensionless sponge. Nevertheless, all my knowledge was pure theory, and nothing else.
Years pass, and sometimes miracles happen. Some 12 years ago I met this amazing woman, we fell in love and she has been brave and crazy enough to become my wife. I moved to the United States in 2006. A lot of things changed, but nothing comes easy in my life… :)
…my wife had some serious prejudices against guns. It took me years to convert her from strong anti-gunner to a sensible pro-gun person, real 2nd Amendment supporter like myself. I must say that I am very proud of it. I taught her shooting, and continue teaching. Believe me, it's not an easy matter – teaching somebody to do something you have never done yourself. And I am enjoying it a lot, but… It hurts to think all the time that you never will be able to do what you want more than anything else. To go to the range with friends and shoot targets together – not just watch them shooting. To go hunting – not just watch YouTube videos and read hunters' stories.
And recently one more miracle happened: about a year ago I found out, that some wonderful people thought about guys like me, and found a solution. THE solution. The company is called BeAdaptive, and they make custom equipment for physically challenged people who are excited about shooting and hunting. Those devices are being mounted on a wheelchair and allow control a gun with easy touching or, literally, just a breath. Of course, such technology is really expensive.
It wasn't an easy decision for me to create this campaign on GoFundMe. I have never asked people for money. Only God knows, how many sleepless nights I spent thinking - may I, or mustn’t I do that. Then I asked my wife and friends if they approve this, and I was overwhelmed with how strongly they have supported me. My family's budget is tough. This campaign might be the only chance to make it happen. It might seem totally unimportant and irrelevant to most people, and I get that. I'm asking those of you guys, who share my passion, who know what I feel – you, my brothers and sisters in arms. I know what I'm asking is a lot. If you can’t afford to help financially – I totally get it. Please, help spread the word – maybe, it will help me to move one step forward. Just one step. Thank you for reading this through. May all your dreams come true.
My name is Yuri. I was born and grew up in the Soviet Union. The first year of my life I was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy – severe, incurable genetic disease. The ugliness of this illness is that the body cannot develop muscles. It's kind of funny, but, believe it or not, being 46 years old I am still using the rest of the same muscles I was born with – and they slowly die, year-by-year, day-by-day, hour-by-hour. I could never walk. Never was able to lift anything heavier than a pound – but even that was far, far ago when I was a teenager. Now all I can do is working on the computer with the help of assistive technologies, and somehow operate my power wheelchair.
I cannot remember, how it started, but everything about firearms has always been one of top interest in my life. As you can imagine, in the Soviet Union access to guns for citizens was, let's put it softly, restricted. Outside the military and police only members of hunting clubs and officially approved sportsmen had opportunities to get familiar with very limited examples of firearms – of course, I could not even dream about participating in those activities. Also (surprise!), there was no Internet, and, due to my conditions, I could not even go to a library to search for the information I was eager for. So a couple of books and popular magazines with articles about guns was my only source of information, and I read and reread them through, again and again.
Later, when the Internet became widely available, I finally got unlimited access to tons and tons of information and knowledge, which I was, and still have been absorbing like a sponge – dimensionless sponge. Nevertheless, all my knowledge was pure theory, and nothing else.
Years pass, and sometimes miracles happen. Some 12 years ago I met this amazing woman, we fell in love and she has been brave and crazy enough to become my wife. I moved to the United States in 2006. A lot of things changed, but nothing comes easy in my life… :)
…my wife had some serious prejudices against guns. It took me years to convert her from strong anti-gunner to a sensible pro-gun person, real 2nd Amendment supporter like myself. I must say that I am very proud of it. I taught her shooting, and continue teaching. Believe me, it's not an easy matter – teaching somebody to do something you have never done yourself. And I am enjoying it a lot, but… It hurts to think all the time that you never will be able to do what you want more than anything else. To go to the range with friends and shoot targets together – not just watch them shooting. To go hunting – not just watch YouTube videos and read hunters' stories.
And recently one more miracle happened: about a year ago I found out, that some wonderful people thought about guys like me, and found a solution. THE solution. The company is called BeAdaptive, and they make custom equipment for physically challenged people who are excited about shooting and hunting. Those devices are being mounted on a wheelchair and allow control a gun with easy touching or, literally, just a breath. Of course, such technology is really expensive.
It wasn't an easy decision for me to create this campaign on GoFundMe. I have never asked people for money. Only God knows, how many sleepless nights I spent thinking - may I, or mustn’t I do that. Then I asked my wife and friends if they approve this, and I was overwhelmed with how strongly they have supported me. My family's budget is tough. This campaign might be the only chance to make it happen. It might seem totally unimportant and irrelevant to most people, and I get that. I'm asking those of you guys, who share my passion, who know what I feel – you, my brothers and sisters in arms. I know what I'm asking is a lot. If you can’t afford to help financially – I totally get it. Please, help spread the word – maybe, it will help me to move one step forward. Just one step. Thank you for reading this through. May all your dreams come true.
Organizador
Yuri Sivitski
Organizador
Cleveland, OH
