Outdoors: Retired Wausau broadcaster adapts to a new reality

 Last fall, I started this column with the intention of sharing my experiences and observations of life outdoors. With the help of my wonderful wife and family, I have been able to do that. I will also add my appreciation to this paper’s expert editor. It has also been therapeutic as I’ve been diagnosed with a major life challenge.

On Jan. 3, 2024 I was officially diagnosed with ALS – Lou Gehrig’s Disease – which was not exactly what I envisioned for my retirement. ALS is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing a loss of muscle control. Eventually ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. At this time there is no cure for this fatal disease.

Why am I sharing this? All of us have, are, or will experience struggles in our lives. Some major, some not. Some are fixable or curable; some are not. When struggles make themselves known, some of us have a tendency to take the easy route and give in to the real or imagined limitations we put on ourselves. Others do not. For me, the love of the outdoors and its creator transcend those limitations. 

 If you regularly read my column, you know spending time in God’s creation is a profound spiritual experience for me. Whether it’s hearing His whisper in a gentle breeze or His grasp holding me up in the middle of a trout stream, I know He is with me all the time everywhere. These experiences are echoed in how I deal with this and other challenges. The answer lies in my faith, my wife and family, and my true friends. 

In November 2023 I wrote "The spirts in the woods" about the 2022 bow hunt and Big Hank in our state’s northwestern forests. What I didn’t write about: my struggles getting in and out of tree stands and ground blinds. My dear friend Doug guided me out to the stands and blinds with his ATV, then waited until I was safely in them before heading to his stand. That was the year I actually stumbled in the woods and fell a few times. Last year I promised my wife I wouldn’t climb any trees, sticking with ground blinds for safety. Doug nearly had to carry me to them. Luckily, I had a cane keeping me upright until Doug could sit me down with my gear. 

 This year, my legs wouldn’t carry me to anywhere I could hunt, even with a cane. I made the tough decision not to go back to my favorite spots because of the enormous amount of paraphernalia I would have to bring in and out of the woods and the many things I needed at home base. Not to mention one hard truth – my health wouldn’t allow me to be outside for more than a few hours.  

But I was determined. I knew I just needed to figure my way around these obstacles, to find a place to hunt and determine how to get there.

Enter two of my best friends, Greg and Howard. Greg opened his property to me, then purchased and set up a number of ground blinds for me to use. Howard picked me up and drove my truck to the property. He also set me up in a blind and vowed to stay with me for as little or as long as I could manage to sit. Together, we had the “where” and the first part of the “how.” The second part involved figuring out how to get from the truck to the blind. 

 A few years ago I met Joe Ramsey, founder and director of Empowered Dream Hunts, a local non-profit that gets veterans and disabled individuals out in the woods and prairies. Little did I know that after just a few years of meeting him, I’d be one of their recipients. Joe is one of those people who would give the shirt off his back to help someone. It’s no wonder we became instant friends. He set me up with an Action Trackchair to help keep my dream of hunting alive. Like a mini-tank, the chair runs on a track instead of wheels. Rolling uphill through brush, mud and rock, the rush of greater independence put a big grin on my face. It was also equipped with an articulating arm that held my crossbow in place when it was time to take the shot.  

Unfortunately, no shot has been taken to date. Howard and I saw plenty of young does just out of my range. But we did see two magnificent bucks over two separate days. With noses to the ground following their doe, both bucks in range stopped behind brush that made the shot impossible for me. Potentially losing an arrow and broadhead is expensive. Wounding and never finding one of these majestic beasts is much, much worse. It’s a kick in the gut that can make a grown man cry. 

I certainly am looking forward to spring turkey season, summer fishing, and next fall’s bow hunt. With the help of Howard, Greg and Joe, I hope I can fully participate. God only knows. 

 As I close this chapter of my story, I am reminded that life, like the outdoors, is unpredictable, beautiful, and challenging all at once. Though ALS has changed how I experience the world, it has not taken away my love for it—or my gratitude for those who help me continue to find joy in its wonders. The hunt isn’t always about the harvest; it’s about the moments shared with friends, the quiet communion with nature, and the determination to keep showing up despite the odds. My journey has taught me that even when the path is uncertain, faith, love, and resilience will guide us forward. For now, I’ll keep looking for those bucks and cherishing every breath of fresh air, every sunrise, and every laugh with those who walk this road beside me. Thank you for walking it with me, too. 

Rick Reyer is a lifelong hunting and fishing enthusiast. He is a retired broadcaster who lives in Wausau. 

This article first appeared in Wausau Pilot and Review and is being republished with permission. 

https://wausaupilotandreview.com/2025/01/25/outdoors-retired-wausau-broadcaster-adapts-to-a-new-reality-after-als-diagnosis/

It all started over grilled pheasant at a Packer tailgate.  Wow… it all started over grilled pheasant at a Packer tailgate…In just 2 months, you were able to make a dream become reality. What an amazing opportunity that we will forever be grateful for. It was an absolute pleasure meeting you and getting to know more about you and the wonderful experiences you have provided through Empowered Dream Hunts. We are hopeful that we will be able to help make this dream come true for someone else. It was the experience of a lifetime, and something we will always treasure. Words cannot express how grateful we are that we were fortunate enough to participate in a Dream Hunt. Everything about it was AMAZING! Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!  Sincerely, Dan and Niki Sutter 

Veterans Action Trackchair getting ready:"MAKING TRACKS"Allowing local veterans to Cope in the great outdoors...Luke Anderson and Scott Johnson team up with Joe Ramsey. Let us know if you know a veteran near central Wisconsin that could benefit from this.
If you want to have your logo on the trailer our deadline is October 18th, and it is a $200 or more donation.
Thank you! 

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My name is Gabe Palmer. 

I was an E-4 in the US Army stationed in Fort Lewis
Washington from 1986 to 1988. I was a Sr. Gunner on the Vulcan, a 20mm Air Defense cannon. I now work at Marshfield Clinic as a Medical Lab Technician.
Sunday I got the opportunity to spend a couple hours with a couple veteran friends of mine as well as a couple boy scouts out at Council Grounds State Park. One of my veteran friends, Pat Meyers, has very limited mobility. However, thanks to a gentleman named Joe Ramsey, who was able to provide us with a tracked wheel chair through his service, Empowered Dream Hunts. Pat, along with his wife, Gloria, and the rest of us were able to take a few trails throughout the park and enjoy each others company. We all had a few stories to share with each other. It was really great to enjoy each others company while taking a trip
through the beautiful Council Grounds park!!!

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 I am Corey Dornbrack, 

I was an E-7 in the Wisconsin National Guard, where I had severed 30 years between the National Guard and the Army as a mechanic. I did three tours to Iraq, and have been medically retired from the military. 

On Sunday, I arranged with Joe Ramsey, to have him bring a tracked wheel chair, through Empowered Dream Hunts, to Merrill at Council Ground National Park. He did this, so that Pat Meyers could spend some time out in the woods, like he had in years past where he would walk his dogs. I have known Pat all my life, being as he lived two houses down from my grandmother, where I had spent much of my time, and then became active with him in AMVETS. I asked Joe for the use of the tracked wheelchair because Pat had lost his legs from the knee down due to diabetes. This past year Pat had spent a lot of time in the hospital due to medical issues. I felt that being able to get him out in the woods like he had in the past would help raise his spirt.

We met out the with a fellow veteran and two Boy Scouts. His wife and her daughter met us out there, without his knowledge of what was going to happen. We spent time with him being able to go through the woods, which he has not been able to do for years. We spent the afternoon telling stories and enjoying the wilderness and each other’s company. After he figured out the controls, he was off remembering the days he had spent with his dogs and also when he had been a tank driver and commander. You could see his spirits and energy level rise throughout the day. I am glad the I was able to help a fellow veteran and friend, to find a lost joy back to his life. 

This hunt has been an adventure of a life time. It began with running out of gas on the way up to hunt on day one. Then spending the first two days getting snorted away by nosy does and winds changing on us right during prime time . This led us to a third day of hunting.  It didn't bother me one bit for I was with a great long time friend Eric Marone and now new friends Joe Ramsey, David Matis and his dad, jaw jacking about some of our greatest hunting and fishing stories to date. Some in which were so funny that had us gasping for air from laughing so hard. Then the moment came, the big buck we were after showed up and presented me with a perfect 35yd broadside shot.   

The fun didn't stop there, after we recovered my deer conversations continued back at the house. As family arrived, I took them for a ride down memory lane sharing the story of how I got the big buck. I can't thank empowered dream hunts and all people involved, for giving me such a lifetime experience that I'll never forget and new friendships that will last a lifetime. This organization made all of this possible for me and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue doing what I love.

Will the van and gun be ready to go for Barry Gruen’s Dream Hunt?

Thanks to my good friend brother Joe Stolarecyk who nominated me through the Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. 

The pre hunt, the hunt, “Wow”! I was so excited I missed my 18 pointer the first time; he came back again, and paid the price. 

We needed the trackchair to pull my monster buck out. 

The after hunt, my new friends Dale and Dave Matis, the owners of Whitetails Of A Lifetime, and Joe Ramsey who coordinated the hunt from start to finish. A class act organization.

“My Dream Came True”

Barry Gruen

 This magnificent bear was taking by one of our hunters (Tommy Namore) that went on a bear hunt provided by our partner "Dick Verbsky's Disadvantaged Adventures" they gave him a bear mount and we assisted with our trailer to go get the mount. Great job Tommy!! 

Neil Menke, a hunter from Oshkosh, harvested a deer from Wilderness Whitetails Ranch. Neil’s mom, Craig Kleinschmit, and Mike Beaman were also able to partake in the event.  Thank you to the staff from Wilderness Whitetails Ranch for providing a great experience through excellent hospitality. 

Bob, a hunter from Spencer, harvested his first buck at age 49.  Whitetails Of  A Lifetime in Marathon County hosted his hunt.  Following his event, Bob and his family and friends enjoyed food and fellowship.  Thank you to Adam Bartz, for cooking a great meal at the cozy lodge.  Thank you to Leo Heath, a leader of Same Difference from the Loyal area, for helping Bob prepare for his hunt.  Thank you Jeff Specht, Wild Things Taxidermy for helping with skinning Bob’s deer and preparing for Bob’s mount. This event was a dream come true for both hunter and his dad. 

Thank you to all that helped Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. make it possible to provide a Team Action Trackchair to Scott Hansen from the Southeastern area of Wisconsin.  Many friends, family and area businesses that know Scott provided funds for have a Team Action Trackchair purchased for him to use.   Scott is an active outdoors enthusiast and will get lots of use out of this piece of equipment.  Scott agreed that when the time comes that he is no longer able to use the Action Trackchair, it will be returned to Empowered Dream Hunts Inc. for others to use.